COVID-19 has made its presence felt in Claresholm and area, forcing the cancellation of classes, the closure of facilities and the cancellation of community events.

Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange announced on March 15 that all classes have been indefinitely cancelled across the province.

The Livingstone Range School Division responded swiftly, cancelling all classes but issuing a statement emphasizing that teachers and staff will still be expected to work, and student progression will be a top priority.

Over the next few days the school division will be working on the details of what learning looks like for students and communicate that plan to parents as details become clear.

The provincial government also announced the closure of all child care, out-of-school care and pre-school facilities.

The Town of Claresholm has closed town recreational facilities.

The Claresholm Seniors’ Drop-in Centre and Claresholm Community Centre are closed and the Claresholm Public Library will offer modified services.

The Porcupine Hills Lodge is prohibiting all non-essential visits to their facility until further notice and the Cottonwood Village has limited access to fire, Alberta Health Services and emergency medical services only.

Alberta Health Services has indicated that visitors to long-term care or continuing care facilities, such as the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre, are restricted to one or two people at a time, and only immediate family or designated support people will be able to visit. All visitors will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire to ensure they are well and have not been exposed to respiratory illness prior to entering a facility. Anyone who is ill must not visit.

Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, held a news conference on Monday afternoon, March 16, where she said the number of people with COVID-19 infection in Alberta has risen to 74. Five are in hospital receiving treatment, with all others self-isolating and expected to make a full recovery. For the first time, there are cases in every health zone, with one case each identified in the north and south zones.

Incidentally, Claresholm is part of the Calgary Zone, and no cases have been reported specifically in Claresholm, Stavely or surrounding area.

Premier Jason Kenney also addressed the legislature on Monday where he provided an update, including $500 million committed to COVID-19 response.

He also urged Albertans to take precautions such as regularly washing their hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your face; avoiding going into crowded places; practising social distancing of two metres or more; and staying home if you exhibit symptoms or return from abroad by self-isolating for 14 days.

Kenney also urged people to phone 811 if they exhibit symptoms to seek medical advice and how to proceed.

The list of activities that have been postponed out of concern for the spread of COVID-19 continues to grow as well.

The Claresholm Local Press continues to provide an updated list of activities that have been postponed or cancelled on the website claresholmlocalpress.ca under the “COVID-19 Updates” tab. There is also a link on the Local Press Facebook page.

Yesterday, on March 17, the Alberta government declared a state of public health emergency, empowering authorities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Events that have more than 50 people are also cancelled, and mass gatherings are limited to 50 attendees and sit-down restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, food courts and other food-serving facilities are limited to 50 people maximum. This includes worship gatherings and family events such as weddings. Grocery stores, shopping centres, health-care facilities, airports, the legislature and other essential services are not included.

Albertans are also prohibited from attending public recreational facilities and private entertainment facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, arenas, science centres, museums, art galleries, community centres, children’s play centres, casinos, racing entertainment centres, and bingo halls.