COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (Oct. 29, 4:45 p.m.)

New symptoms list for Albertans under the age of 18

Effective Nov. 2, Alberta is removing runny nose and sore throat from the list of core symptoms requiring mandatory isolation for those under the age of 18. This includes the daily checklist used for school and child care settings.
This change is only for those with no known exposure. If a child is a close contact or known to have been exposed in the previous 14 days and develops symptoms, testing is recommended and the child would still need to isolate.
Also effective Nov. 2:
- If a child has only one of the non-core symptoms on the checklist, they should stay home and monitor for 24 hours. If their symptom is improving, testing is not necessary and they can return to normal activities when they feel well.
- If the child has two or more of the non-core symptoms, or if one of their symptoms gets worse, testing is still recommended and they should stay home until the symptoms go away or they test negative for COVID-19 and feel better.
The COVID-19 symptoms list for anyone over the age of 18, including teachers and daycare staff, remains unchanged. Health officials will continue to monitor evidence closely.

Alberta Health Services is adjusting how Albertans are notified if they attended an event at which a confirmed case of COVID-19 was present.
Alberta Health Services will now notify the event organizer and provide written notification to be directly emailed to attendees. Event organizers are to send these emails within 24 hours of being contacted.
Alberta Health Services will continue to directly notify close contacts of cases who were exposed outside of a public or private event, and will directly notify anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.

A website and tip sheet is online. Printable posters will show if you are handing out treats.

A joint pilot program from the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada will safely test an alternative to the current 14-day quarantine requirement for international travellers while continuing to protect Canadians from COVID-19.
Starting Nov. 2, the Coutts land border crossing and Calgary International Airport will offer COVID-19 testing to returning international travellers before they proceed into the required quarantine.
If the test is negative, travellers will be allowed to leave quarantine as long as they get a second test six or seven days after arrival at a participating community pharmacy.
Participants will be closely monitored daily for symptoms and must follow enhanced preventive health measures, such as wearing masks in public places and avoiding visiting high-risk groups.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is paused to help reduce testing wait times, speed up results and limit the spread. Existing appointments will be honoured until Nov. 4.
Anyone with no symptoms must be tested if they are a close contact, or are linked to an outbreak. Book tests online at AHS.ca or call HealthLink at 811.
Only 0.11 per cent of more than 659,000 asymptomatic tests with no known exposure were positive.
Albertans with health concerns but no symptoms or exposure should talk to their care provider.

An online map lists every school with two or more confirmed cases. The map is updated on school days.
Government distributed more than 1.6 million reusable masks to 740,000 students and 90,000 staff.
A re-entry tool kit is available for parents and students.

Parents and guardians can access the COVID-19 test results for children under the age of 18 through MyHealth Records (MHR) as soon as they are ready.
More than 400,500 Albertans have MHR accounts.

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.
Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness during this difficult time at #AlbertaCares.
Alberta Connects Contact Centre (310-4455) is open Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.