Alberta’s second case of coronavirus was reported Friday, one day after the first case was reported in Calgary.
More details about the Calgary case have also been released.
Friday, an Edmonton-area man in his 40s that was recently travelling on business in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio returned home Feb. 28. The case was detected March 6, according to Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
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The man is recovering in isolation in his home, with support from public health officials, Hinshaw said.
“While I know some Albertans may be concerned by a second case, this is not unexpected. The risk to Albertans is still considered low. We have already isolated this individual and are taking swift action to implement immediate precautions to prevent the infection from spreading,” Hinshaw said in a media release Friday.
Further details around the Calgary Zone case were also made available Friday.
Hinshaw said the woman in her 50s, who worked at the ATB, didn’t attend any large social gatherings before isolation, limiting the potential spread.
ATB closes two locations
ATB has voluntarily closed the Sage Hill and Creekside branches as a result of the potential infection.
“ATB has worked with AHS and Alberta Health to manage follow-up for this case. AHS is contacting individuals who are considered to be exposed to this case, and these individuals are self-isolating and will be monitoring for the development of symptoms,” Hinshaw said.
“ATB has taken the proactive measure to close two branches at which the presumptive case may have had exposure. Staff at those two branches are also self-isolating.”
The ATB issued a statement to media Friday.
“We are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of our team members and customers. Nothing is more important to ATB,” said ATB president Curtis Stange.
“To that end, we have been working closely with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to ensure we are as proactive and protective as possible, including closing two of our Calgary locations.”
Alberta Health has now ramped up testing protocols. All travellers returning from outside of Canada are asked to watch for symptoms. If they have flu-related symptoms like a cough or fever, they’re asked to self-isolate and call Health Link at 811 for more assistance.
They’re asking travellers to not visit emergency centres or urgent care for testing.
