Banff 
Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 -Credit National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIH
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health has announced five new cases of novel coronavirus – all are travel related. Of these 5 cases, 1 are in the Edmonton zone, 3 in Calgary zone, and 1 in Central Zone.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw said that one of the confirmed cases involves an Edmonton man in his thirties who recently returned from international travel. He received previously scheduled, unrelated treatment at Misericordia Hospital on March 6 and 7, before testing positive for COVID-19 on March 9. According to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, he started experiencing symptoms a number of days after returning. He is now self-isolating.
Alberta Health is contacting any staff or patients who were potentially exposed at this location. Dr Hinshaw emphasised that there is no risk to any patients or staff at the hospital at this time.
The other confirmed cases involve a man in his 20s, two women in their 30s from the Calgary zone and a woman in her 30s from Central zone.
All those who were diagnosed had returned from visiting a range of countries, including Iran, Egypt, Spain, Mexico and the United States.
Alberta Health is now asking all travellers returning from Italy to self-isolate for 14 days have passed since their last visit.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw also said that all returning travellers at all Canadian airports will receive screening starting on Friday and will be advised of the need to self-isolate.
She also said that all travelers returning to Alberta from anywhere outside Canada should consider limiting attendance at large public gatherings, and should closely monitor themselves for any symptoms such as fever or cough.
As WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Alberta Health is also advising anyone over 65 and those with chronic health conditions not to travel outside Canada. Dr. Hinshaw, asked all Albertans to carefully consider their travel plans, and be aware of the possibility they may be exposed to the virus while traveling.
