First COVID-19 death reported in Alberta
Posted Mar 19, 2020 3:42 pm.
Last Updated Mar 20, 2020 8:28 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — The first death from COVID-19 has been reported in Alberta.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said the man, who was from the Edmonton zone, was in his 60s and had previous medical conditions.
This news comes as 27 new cases are reported in the province, bringing the total in Alberta to 146.
2 other patients remain in ICU.
7 cases are community transmission, with one additional case pending.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 19, 2020
Dr. Hinshaw believes the man who passed away caught the disease from community transmission.
Alberta saw 2400 tests completed yesterday.
Hinshaw seems to suggest this current capacity is about as high as it can go, and reiterating that they can't test everyone who has a sniff or cough. pic.twitter.com/lXivnC2QWN
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 19, 2020
While delivering the tough news, Dr. Hinshaw did shed some positive light on the COVID-19 situation.
She said that out of the previously reported cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, at least two have recovered so far.
“Those are the signs of hope we need,” Dr. Hinshaw said.
