March 24, 2020
RE: COVID-19 Update 9
Vulcan County Regional Emergency Management Partners are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation in Alberta. Please note that all Vulcan County Fire Halls are closed to the public until further notice. Vulcan County, the Villages of Champion, Carmangay, Lomond, Milo, and Arrowwood Offices are also closed to the public, however business operations are continuing. While the Town of Vulcan office remains open, we are urging the public whom have questions to use the websites or a telephone as most questions could be answered this way. With increasing numbers of confirmed cases throughout Alberta, we want to stress the importance of following proper personal hygiene and cleaning processes. Please follow these guidelines
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16997.aspx…
and watch your municipal websites for further updates.
Cases in Alberta
Alberta is taking aggressive measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Additional actions may be required in the coming days. The health of Albertans is, and always will be, our top priority.
Alberta confirmed 57 new cases on March 24.
Currently there have been no confirmed cases within Vulcan County or the urban municipalities within its borders. As of March 24, 2020, testing has been completed for 32,418 Albertans.
Essential Services
All Vulcan County Regional Emergency Management Partner Municipalities have implemented back-up and contingency measures for water treatment over the coming weeks. The Vulcan District Waste Commission has also implemented plans to ensure solid waste service continuity. Public Works staff in all municipalities continue to ensure essential services are maintained.
Mass Gatherings
A gathering is any event or assembling that brings people together in person, in a single room or single space at the same time. At this time, it does not include normal operations of workplaces and businesses (i.e. offices, manufacturing, construction, industrial) not specifically defined by the chief medical officer of health. Where workplace gatherings of 50 or more people in a single space occur (e.g. training events), they must not proceed. Likewise, it does not include airports, shopping malls, retail or grocery stores or other spaces people may be moving in or walking about as part of normal activities of daily living.
Prevent the Spread
Although public health measures are in place to quickly identify potential cases, all Albertans are encouraged to take personal steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
Influenza and other common viruses remain the most likely cause of a respiratory infection.
Emergency Isolation Support
The Alberta government will provide immediate financial relief to Alberta’s families and vulnerable populations. Albertans should be focused on their health and not worry about whether they can pay their bills so a number of options in place for those struggling financially. • This will be a temporary program for working adult Albertans who must self-isolate because they meet the Government of Alberta’s published criteria for self-isolation, including persons who are the sole caregiver for a dependent who must self-isolate because they meet the public health criteria, and who will not have another source of pay or compensation while they are self-isolated.
• A one-time payment of $1,146 will be distributed to bridge the gap until the federal emergency payments begin in April.
• The Province expects the program to be available through a simple online application next week and that funds will be deposited in the accounts of eligible recipients beginning at that time.
Steps to Protect You & Others
Practice Social Distancing
https://www.alberta.ca/prevent-the-spread.aspx#p25621s3
Stay away from others if sick or in isolation
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Avoid travel outside of Canada
Self-Isolate for 14 Days if you:
https://www.alberta.ca/self-isolation.aspx
Recently returned from travel outside of Canada
have a cough, fever, fatigue and/or difficulty breathing
are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
have been asked by a health care professional for another reason
811 Health Link
Once again, people experiencing symptoms are to take the online self-assessment.
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/Pa…/COVID-Self-Assessment.aspx
As a further reminder, 811-health link is for those who are feeling ill and seeking advice. Please do not call 811 to report non-compliance of Public Health Orders. This is tying up the line and not the appropriate place to report non-compliance.
For anyone wanting to report contraventions of the Public Health Orders in regards to businesses go to the following website
HTTPS://WWW.ALBERTA.CA/RESTRICTIONS-FOR-MASS-GATHERINGS.ASPX
All Albertans are still encouraged to visit alberta.ca/COVID19 for the latest information, guidance and resources.
Above information sourced from: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm…
Sincerely, Nels Petersen
Regional Director of Emergency Management Vulcan County Regional Emergency Management Partnership
