Alberta Health expands testing protocols as COVID-19 continues to spread across Canada

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Concerns about COVID-19 causing a potential crisis in Canada has sparked the Alberta Health Agency to expand its testing protocols.

“The global situation is changing rapidly,” Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said in an update Wednesday. “Although China continues to have a higher number of cases, the spread of this virus to new countries is concerning.”

The coronavirus is being felt in several countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Italy and it’s unclear what direction the virus will spread next.

READ MORE: What if Canada gets an outbreak of the new coronavirus? A look at pandemic plans

Dr. Hinshaw said it is joining Canada in taking additional precautions in reducing the risk of expanding testing to anyone who has travelled to affected countries.

“We ask any travellers returning from these areas, in addition to those returning from Mainland China, to monitor their symptoms for 14 days after returning,” she said.

No one is required to self isolate unless they have visited Hubei province.

READ MORE: Timeline of COVID-19 cases in Canada

Alberta has tested 117 people for the infection, all of which have come back negative. As the province casts a wider net on testing, Dr. Hinshaw expects those numbers to increase

The risk in Alberta remains low, even though seven people in British Columbia have been infected.

“We are prepared if it should arrive in the short term, but we are also continually making plans.”