May 4, 2020
RE: COVID-19 Update 48 (New Information in BLUE)
Vulcan County Regional Emergency Management Partners are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation in Alberta. The latest Government of Alberta media releases can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx
All Vulcan County Fire Halls are closed to the public until further notice. The municipal offices of Vulcan County, the villages of Arrowwood, Carmangay, Champion, Lomond and Milo remain closed to the public while business operations are continuing. The Town of Vulcan municipal office remains open, however, we are urging the public to use municipal websites, email and telephone to answer their inquiries.
With increasing numbers of confirmed cases, it is imperative to follow proper personal hygiene and cleaning practices. Please follow these guidelines and watch your municipal websites for further updates.
Everyone, even persons not exhibiting symptoms or requiring mandatory self-isolation, is strongly encouraged to limit outings to a minimum and stay home; observe social distancing and avoid touching your face without first washing your hands.
The Vulcan County Regional Emergency Management Partnership has put together a series of videos on a number of COVID-19 related items. The sixth and latest installment in our series is titled “Here For You.”
The Government of Alberta is taking aggressive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Albertans are asked to be vigilant to prevent intensive care units from being overwhelmed.
For today, 70 new cases have been confirmed bringing the total to 5,836. There is NINE (9) new fatality resulting from COVID-19, bringing the total number to 104. A total of 161,245 Albertans have been tested. There have been a total of 2,942 recoveries to date.
There continue to be no confirmed cases within Vulcan County or the urban municipalities within its region, although testing has been undertaken for those with symptoms. Vulcan County is in the Calgary Health Zone here 67% of all confirmed Covid-19 infections are located in Alberta.
Alberta uses modelling to anticipate the number of COVID-19 cases over the coming months. Revised modelling was provided on April 28th. This helps us make decisions and prepare hospitals to care for critical and acute patients. A Sprung Field Hospital has been completed at Foothills Hospital should the province realize a spike in Covid-19 hospitalizations.
The Government of Alberta has released their relaunch strategy for the upcoming months. Detailed information is in the link referenced above. Stage highlights include:
Low German Mennonite Community Resource Inventory
Throughout the pandemic response in this province, Alberta Health Services has been maintaining an inventory of resources specifically tailored for the Low German Mennonite Community. To put things in perspective, one fifth of our population base in Vulcan County speaks Low German as a first language.
Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services has a YouTube Channel that covers a wide range of subjects potentially of interest to Low German speakers. There is information on Covid-19 and personal hygiene, as well as other video guides on a wide range of subjects unrelated to the pandemic.
Vulcan Dental Clinic
Our local dentist is now able to accept more “Urgent Care Cases” rather than just “Emergency Care Patients.” Those in physical discomfort are encouraged to contact the clinic.
Guidance on Outdoor Activities
With the weather warming up, there are many outdoor activities Albertans can do safely while still following all public health orders. When outdoors in public, Albertans can take a number of precautions to protect themselves and those around them:
- Plan your activity in advance to ensure physical distancing is possible. If your activity involves a public place:
- consider going during non-peak hours
- walk along the sides of trails and other public pathways to maintain distance
- Limit activities with people from other households; make sure everyone is aware of the requirement for physical distancing.
- Practice good hygiene:
- wash your hands frequently
- refrain from touching your face with unclean hands o carry and use hand sanitizer
- Wear a mask in public places to help limit the risk of spread to others.
Restrictions on events, gatherings and certain types of businesses are in place to limit situations where COVID- 19 could be transmitted through contact with an infected person or through contact with frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Long Term Care, Supportive Living, and Congregate Living
- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, AHS is taking additional steps to ensure those most at risk of contracting the virus are protected.
- Visitors may not enter any continuing care facility (long-term care or licensed supportive living), except for visits from a designated essential visitor:
- when a resident is dying
- where, in rare situations, the resident’s quality of life or care needs cannot be met without the visitor’s assistance
- Up to two visitors may attend to a resident in a continuing care centre who is at the end of their life. This is defined as up to two weeks before death, but it is understood that estimates are imprecise.
- Visitors must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility. They are also required to wear a mask during their visit and maintain physical distancing.
- Residents who are not in isolation may visit outdoors with a designated essential visitor and one other person. However, physical distancing must be practiced and all visitors must wear a mask or some other form of face covering.
- Visits are allowed for patients in maternity care and children who are patients in acute care/outpatient settings.
- Again, visitors must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility. They are also required to wear a mask during their visit.
- Families and friends of those in these facilities are encouraged think of how they can support and encourage their loved ones through this difficult time without visiting.
- For more information, visit https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17001.aspx.
811 Health Link
Once again, people experiencing 7symptoms are to take the online self-assessment. As a further reminder, 811-health link is for those who are feeling ill and seeking advice. DO NOT call 811 to report non-compliance of Public Health Orders; these can be reported to the Environmental Health Complaint Link or by calling (403) 943-2288.
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others
- Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2643
- Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322
Local Programs and Initiatives
Vulcan County – Health & Wellness Foundation
Vulcan – Medical Recruitment
Vulcan Regional Food Bank Society
Above information sourced from:
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=70009006E7A24-0CB0-DB76-8FDE7FAC19DBB875