Yesterday, Premier Kenney gave a televised update, outlining some of the potential scenarios for the coming weeks. Today, he gave more details about the modelling presented by Alberta Health Services.

In a probable scenario, Alberta Health Services is predicting that up to 800,000 people will be infected and up to 3,100 people will die in Alberta as a result of COVID-19.

“That is not an optimistic model – that is a likely scenario,” says Chestermere Mayor Marshall Chalmers. “Only 1 thing can change those predicted numbers: YOU. You, and your decisions, are what will make the difference in spread of this virus. And for some people, that is the difference between life and death.”

While the prospects are grim, Chalmers outlined that the ways to save lives are simple:

• Stay home and inside.
• Only go out when you are feeling well and when it is absolutely necessary.
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve and then wash your hands
• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
• Stay at least 2 metres away from anyone who does not live in your household
• Postpone or cancel any events, celebrations or gatherings. Hold them online instead.

Alberta Health Services estimates that the peak of Alberta’s pandemic will likely happen around mid-May. The coming weeks are essential for residents to continue to do their part to prevent the spread of the virus.  

“Here in Chestermere, we are continuing to explore further actions we can take to protect our community,” says Chalmers. “Some have emailed me about so called ‘extreme’ or ‘excessive’ measures to contain the virus. To you, I say we are in extreme times. We recognize that while these measures impact the lives of our residents, the measures are part of a larger plan, designed to keep us, and the people we love, from getting sick.”

Chestermere currently 9 active cases of COVID-19. 3 cases are reported as recovered.

All of the City’s local restrictions, including updates, can be found at www.chestermere.ca/covid19.

Provincial information, support services and restrictions can be found at www.alberta.ca/covid19.

The details of the Provincial modelling presentation can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-case-modelling-projection.pdf