Alberta confirms second presumptive COVID-19 case; ATB closes two Calgary branches

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A second presumptive case of coronavirus has been identified in Alberta, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said late Friday afternoon.

The man in his 40s is from the Edmonton Zone, which extends throughout Alberta’s capital region. He returned to Canada on Feb. 28 following a business trip to the U.S., including visits to Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

“This person had a travel-related infection,” said Hinshaw.

Meanwhile, Alberta’s first presumptive case of the virus, a woman in her 50s who is believed to have contracted COVID-19 while aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship in California, was identified Friday as an ATB Financial employee who lives in the city of Calgary.

According to the province’s chief medical health officer, the woman returned to Calgary on Feb. 21 and began isolating herself at her home on Feb. 28. She tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery.

ATB has voluntarily closed two branches in north Calgary, in Sage Hill and Creekside, where other people may have been exposed to the virus.

“We are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of our team members and customers. Nothing is more important to ATB,” said Curtis Stange, president and CEO of ATB Financial.

“To that end, we have been working closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure we are as proactive and protective as possible, including closing two of our Calgary locations. I want to thank AHS for their leadership on this front, and I want to thank our team members for their commitment to supporting each other and our customers.”

Hinshaw said the woman had been travelling with two others but thus far, neither of them has exhibited symptoms of coronavirus.

The province’s health officials have reached out to people who were in close contact with the woman — including her family members and her employer — before she entered self-isolation.

“It appears that she did not attend any large social or public gatherings before entering isolation,” Hinshaw said.

There is no evidence to suggest people who passed the woman on the street are at risk of catching the virus, she added.

The Calgary patient was among a previous group of guests aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship.

Of the 2,400 passengers and 1,100 crew currently on the ship, 21 people have tested positive for COVID-19 so far.

Hinshaw said the Calgary woman was one of 44 Albertans who returned to the province Feb. 21 after travelling aboard the cruise ship.

Health officials are trying to identify what flights are linked to the province’s first two COVID-19 cases.

The Edmonton-area man had been travelling with one companion, who does appear to have relevant symptoms. Hinshaw said that person will be tested for coronavirus.

Hinshaw said the risk of coronavirus remains low in Alberta, but health officials anticipate it “may increase in the weeks to come.”

Officials advise all travellers returning to Canada from other countries to monitor for symptoms, such as a fever or cough, for 14 days. Those with possible symptoms are urged to call 811 rather than visit emergency departments or urgent care centres.

Meanwhile on Friday, Calgary’s Olympic Oval cancelled two international speedskating events this month due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement, the oval, which is operated by the University of Calgary, said the decision to cancel the events “was made out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety and well-being of athletes, coaching staff and our campus community.”

Both the Long Track Grand Prix, set to take place March 14 and 15, and the Long Track Finale, from March 19 to 22, have been called off.

Meanwhile, a pair of domestic long and short track events will continue as planned for Canadian athletes this month.

“To compete, Canadian athletes and their coaches/support staff should be free from any illness symptoms for a minimum of 14 days and have not travelled through countries on the UCalgary restricted travel list,” the oval stated.

That list includes China, Hong Kong, Japan, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Singapore.

“The University of Calgary is working closely with relevant health authorities to ensure the safety and health of our campus community, members of the athletic delegations and visitors,” it stated.

shudes@postmedia.com
Twitter: @SammyHudes