Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Jasper by Alberta Health today, bringing the total of active cases to 12 and pushing the municipality over the provincial threshold.
This means Jasper is now on the 'enhanced' list (purple zone) and subject to new targeted public health measures.
These targeted measures apply to all communities on the enhanced list:
- No social gatherings inside your home or outside of your community. Instead, socialize outdoors or in structured settings, like restaurants or other business that are subject to legal limits and take steps to prevent transmission.
- 15-person limit on social and family gatherings - indoors and outdoors - where people are mixing and mingling.
- Limit of three cohorts: your core household, your school, and one other sport or social cohort. Young children who attend child care can be part of four cohorts.
- Wear a mask in all indoor work settings, except when alone in a workspace or an appropriate barrier is in place.
- Employers in office settings to implement strategies to reduce the number of employees in the workplace at one time.
- Restaurants, bars, lounges and pubs must stop liquor sales by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m. from Nov. 13 to 27.
- 50-person limit on wedding ceremonies and funeral services.
- Faith-based gatherings limited to one-third capacity at one time.
A regional update from the Government of Alberta reads: "COVID-19 cases continue rising across Alberta. Targeted public health measures are in place. This is our last chance to avoid more restrictive measures.
"Together, these measures will help protect our health care system, keep schools and businesses open, and protect vulnerable Albertans by limiting the spread of the virus."
For more information on the enhanced measures, go to Alberta Health's website at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx.
Neighbouring communities Hinton and Banff are also under these enhanced measures.
One new case was reported in Hinton today, bringing the town's total to 10 and taking it over the threshold.
And Banff now has 78 active cases, with 22 recoveries reported since the start of the pandemic.
Monitor your symptoms
From https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-testing-in-alberta.aspx
Legally, all Albertans must physically distance and isolate when sick or with symptoms.
Good hygiene is your best protection: wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into an elbow or sleeve, and dispose of tissues appropriately.
Core symptoms
If you have any of these core symptoms, you need to isolate for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms or until they are gone, whichever is longer, or until you test negative for COVID-19.
Adults over 18
- cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- sore throat
Children under 18
- cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- loss of sense of taste or smell
Other symptoms
If you have any symptom, stay home and limit contact with others until symptoms are gone. Testing is recommended.
Children under 18 with one symptom should stay home for 24 hours and get tested if symptoms don't improve. If they have two or more symptoms they should get tested and stay home until they are well or a test is negative.
- Stuffy nose
- Painful swallowing
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
- Feeling unwell or fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained loss of appetite
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye
- Sore throat (children only, not included on core list)
- Runny or stuffy nose (children only, not included on core list)
Monitor your health and call Health Link 811 or your health care provider if you have questions or concerns. You can book a test through Health Link 811 or online at www.albertahealthservices.ca.
Call 911 immediately if experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, including difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, feelings of confusion or loss of consciousness.
