I have combined information from press conferences, news releases and other sources since the last Update.Anything in green is an update on something from the last one I sent out or on an outbreak. Anything bracketed in [bold and italic]s are my comments. 

If you would like to see anything that I sent out previously, or have a question on a particular topic, please ask me and I will be pleased to send to you whatever I have. 

If anyone has anything helpful to add, please send it to me and I will include it. Linda

• Potential Treatments 
• How Does COVID-19 Compare to Other Pandemics?  NEW TODAY
• Around the World
• Canada
• Other Provinces
• Alberta
• Good News Stories

–WORLD NEWS–

Protests Continue to Spread Through US and to Other Countries

            No one should have to be afraid for their lives because of the colour of their skin. But black people have continued to be killed by white police officers, and people of all races are protesting this injustice. While the officer directly responsible has been charged, protestors are not happy with the level of the charge that has so far been laid. A video of the incident shows that the officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than 8 minutes. An earlier autopsy said there were other contributing factors to Floyd’s death, but a post-mortem has found that 3 of those minutes were after Floyd had lost consciousness, and that the cause of death was due solely to this action which compressed his neck and prevented him from breathing, and not from any other cause.  

The non-violent protests have spread throughout the US, and even to London in the UK. Protests have occurred here in Canada, including Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto, as well as other cities. 

            The New York Police Department has identified specific groups that are organizing over social media to target buildings and shops to attack and loot, as well as planning to attack police cars. President Trump may declare the group as a terrorist group. 

            The National Guard has already been called out in some cities to try to defuse violent interactions directed at police, however, the violence continues in some areas. 

            The military may be called out to quell the violent demonstrations taking place in some cities in the US. 

            Montreal also had weekend looting and vandalism, resulting in 11 arrests and dozens of businesses damaged. 

            Concern is also being expressed by public health authorities that the lack of physical distancing combined with the close contact with people who are shouting and singing, and therefore spreading droplets for a greater distance, may increase the spread of COVID-19. 

World wide  6,366,533 cases; 377,437 deaths;  2,903,605 recoveries

Just to keep this in perspective: 

• flu affects 1 billion people and causes 291,000 to 646,000 deaths worldwide (source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)
• The Spanish flu affected 1/3 of the people in the world at the time and killed between 50-100 million people. 

Around the World 

COVID-19 affects 213 countries and territories around the world. 

Brazil

• Brazil has 529,405 cases and 30,046 deaths, 211,080 have recovered.. 
• Brazil is the 2nd highest in the world, behind only the US. It has moved up to 4^thin death toll, but these are likely still underreported. 

Britain

• Britain now has 276,332 cases and 39,045 deaths. There is no information on recoveries.
• UK is still the 5th highest in cases and the 2^nd highest in total deaths. 
• UK has the 3^rd highest deaths per million people – 575 per million, behind Belgium and Spain.
• Today, in England, some primary school students returned to class, and limits no family gatherings were removed. 
• Car dealerships reopened and horse racing resumed at some tracks, although without spectators. 
• Next week more non-essential shops can open and on June 17 the English Premier League season will resume, also without spectators.   
• Some people were ignoring distancing provisions and crowded beaches and parks while police struggled to cope with the numbers. 
• Authorities have stressed the need to keep physical distancing and wearing masks. 

Chile

• Chile’s cases are increasing, as are many other South American nations. 
• Chile is now reporting 105,159 cases, but so far the death toll is low at 1,113; 44,946 have recovered. 

France

• France has 189,220 cases and 28,833 deaths, 68,440 people have recovered.
• France is 8^th in overall cases, and 5^th in total deaths as well as 5th in deaths per million – 442 per million

Germany

• Germany has 183,765 cases with 8,618 deaths, 165,900 people have recovered. 
• Germany is 9^th in overall cases, but its death toll is much lower than other countries with high case numbers.

India

• India now has 198,706 cases and 5,608 deaths, with 95,754 recoveries.
• India has moved up to 7^th in overall cases. 
• Some of India’s states have opened up and crowds of commuters trickle onto the roas today as many of India’s cities moved into India’s three-phase plan to lift the national lockdown, despite rise in infections. 
• Businesses and shops opened in many states and the railways announced 200 more special passenger trains. 
• Some stations also opened their borders, allowing vehicles to pass. 
• Maharashtra, the state in which Bollywood is situated, allowed the resumption of film production with some restrictions. Mumbai, the financial hub, is also in Maharashtra. 
• Unlock 1, the first phase of the relaunch, restricts curbs to containment zones – areas that have been isolated due to outbreaks. Stages can decide and strategize lockdown implementations locally. 
• More than 60% of India’s fatalities have been reported in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The new cases are concentrated in six states which include the capital of New Delhi. 
• Experts warn that the pandemic has not yet peaked in India, and many states are identifying high-risk zones where lockdowns will continue until June 30. 
• Outside of these high-risk zones, restaurants, malls and religious venues will be allowed to open on June 8.  

Italy

• Italy is now reporting 233,187 cases and 33,475 deaths, 158,355 people have recovered.
• Italy is 6^th in overall case numbers, and 3rd in total deaths.  
• Italy still has the 4^rd highest deaths per million people – 554 per million, behind Belgium  and UK.

Iran

• Iran’s cases are still increasing. It now has 154,445 cases, and 7,878 deaths; 121,004 have recovered.
• Iran is now 12^th in number of cases. 

Mexico

• Mexico is experiencing continued increase in cases. They are now reporting 93,435 (an increase in 2,771 today), with 10 ,167 deaths; 67,491 have recovered.

Netherlands

• Netherlands is reporting 46,545 cases and 5,962 deaths. There is no information on recoveries.
• Bars and restaurants opened in the Netherlands today, for the first time in 3 months, to a maximum of 30 customers. 

Peru

• Peru’s number of cases is increasing considerably. It is up to 170,039 cases, and 4,634 deaths; 68,507 have recovered.
• The number of cases is due to Its proximity to Brazil which is South America’s hotspot.
• It has risen to 10^th highest cases in the world. 

Russia

• Russia’s cases continue to climb but it remains third in cases behind only the US and Brazil. Russia has 414,989 cases, 4,855 deaths and 175,877 are reported as recovered.

Spain

• Spain is reporting 286,718 cases and 27,127 deaths, 196,958 people have recovered.
• Spain is now the 4^th highest in cases behind the US, Brazil and Russia, and 6^th in deaths behind US, UK, Italy, Brazil, and France.
• However, Spain is the 2^nd  highest in deaths per million population – 580 per million people, behind only Belgium. 

Turkey

• Turkey is reporting 164,769, and 4,563 deaths; 128,947 have recovered.
• Turkey has dropped to the 11^th highest in number of cases. 

United States

• The US now has 1,859,323 cases and 106,925 deaths, 615,416 have recovered.
• US deaths are 323 per million people, 9^th behind Belgium, Spain, Italy, UK, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Ireland. 

Canada  

• Confirmed cases         91,694
• Probable cases                    11
• Deaths                          7,326
• Recoveries                  49,726
• No. of Tests:          1,695,918

Areas in Canada with cases of COVID-19 as of MAY 30-31, 5:00 pm MDT

• Province, territory or other                    Confirmed        Probable       Deaths   Recovered
• British Columbia                                        2,597                   0             165           2,181
• Alberta                                                       7,044                   0             143           6,245
• Saskatchewan                                               646                   0               11            5680
• Manitoba                                                      284                 11                 7              278
• Ontario                                                     28,263                   0          2,276         21,810
• Quebec                                                     51,354                 0           4,661         16,070
• New Brunswick                                             132                 0                 0              120
• Nova Scotia                                                1,057                0               60              978
• Prince Edward Island                                      27                  0                 0                27
• Newfoundland and Labrador                        261                0                 3              255
• Yukon                                                              11                   0                 0                11
• Northwest Territories                                       5                   0                 0                  5
• Nunavut                                                             0                   0                 0                  0
• Repatriated travellers                                   13                   0                 0      Unknown

Up-to-date information is available at Canada.ca/COVID-19

–Canadian News –

–Prime Minister Trudeau Announcements—

          The Prime Minister is promising funds for municipalities to help with infrastructure. He is promising $2.2 billion in gas tax money to be sent out in one lump sum rather than two separate payments. 

Bird Strike May be Responsible for Snowbird Crash

          A preliminary investigation says a close look at video footage of the plane just before the May 17 crash showed a bird very close to the plane’s right engine intake “during the critical phase of take-off.”

–OTHER CANADIAN NEWS—

Provinces

British Columbia

• British Columbia has 24 new cases in the last 48 hours. One more person has died in a long-term care home in the Fraser Health region, bringing the total deaths to 165.
• 32 people are still hospitalized with 5 in intensive care. There are still 224 active cases. 
• BC still have 13 active outbreaks, 12 in long-term care homes. Haro Park Centre in Vancouver which had at least 89 cases and 13 deaths has now been declared over.

Manitoba

• Phase 2 of Manitoba’s plan, started today
• Manitobans can now go to dine-in restaurants and bars, community centres and gyms . 
• Schools will be allowed to offer special remedial teaching and extracurricular activities  but regular classes are cancelled for the rest of the academic year. 

Nova Scotia

• Provincial and municipal parks and trails are open. Also open are golf driving ranges (but not courses) and drive-in religious services.
• On June 5, businesses like restaurants, bars, hair salons, gyms and spas can open with approved distancing measures. 

Prince Edward Island

• Phase 3 of the Renew ZPEI Together Plan began today. The gathering limits have been raised and some additional businesses are allowed to reopen, including indoor restaurant dining, tattoo parlours, nail salons, campgrounds and inns. 
• PEI is still closed to the rest of Canada except for essential workers. 

Quebec

• The Quebec government will spend $250 million to help the struggling cultural industry. 
• In Montreal, daycares resumed. 
• Outside of Montreal, more businesses were able to open: malls, nail salons, and tattoo parlours. 

Saskatchewan

• Saskatchewan is currently in Phase 2 of its 5-stage plan. 
• Phase 3 target date is June 8 which will allow restaurants and bars to run at half-capacity, and all remaining personal-care businesses will be able to resume. 

Alberta

MAY 30-31, 2020, 5:15 p.m.

–ALBERTA NEWS –

–Premier Jason Kenney and Doug Schweitzer, Justice Minister–

Protecting Albertans from Repeat Offenders

            Alberta’s government is introducing legislation to create an Alberta Parole Board to ensure our province has a fairer, faster and more responsive justice system that reflects the values of Albertans and meets the needs of our communities.

If passed, Bill 18, the Corrections (Alberta Parole Board) Amendment Act, would create the Alberta Parole Board. A provincial parole board would better protect Albertans, their loved ones and their property from repeat offenders, including parolees. The government is fulfilling a commitment to Albertans to better hold criminals responsible to protect public safety.

“Albertans expect, and deserve, a faster, fairer and more responsive justice system that holds criminals responsible. Our government’s platform committed that we would ensure repeat offenders, including parolees, are not able to re-victimize them. This is an important part of getting a fair deal for Alberta, and of getting more Alberta and less Ottawa.”

Jason Kenney, Premier

“Our government has heard loud and clear that Albertans want us to do everything we can to protect them, keep our communities safe and prevent people from being victimized. By creating an Alberta Parole Board, Alberta is taking control of a key component of the administration of justice in this province. It will help end the ‘revolving door’ justice system and will be more in touch with the current realities facing law-abiding Albertans who are frustrated with a justice system that does not make them feel secure and protected.”

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

“RMA has consistently expressed concerns regarding the impacts that repeat offenders have on police services and the justice system in rural Alberta. The creation of the Alberta Parole Board is intended to offer solutions to the current ‘catch and release’ system, contributing to increased safety for our rural communities through responsive oversight.”

Al Kemmere, president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta

The Alberta Parole Board would determine parole or early release eligibility for those serving sentences in provincial correctional facilities, which are sentences less than two years. Currently, Alberta contracts with the federal government to have the Parole Board of Canada make these determinations.

The Alberta Parole Board would also supervise provincial parolees through:

• Community probation officers, with localized knowledge and ties to the community in which they work, who will closely monitor offenders released on parole from provincial correctional facilities.
• Provincial correctional centre caseworkers and probation officers who will continue to do much of the same work for the Alberta Parole Board that they already do for the federal parole board.If passed, the government plans to have the Alberta Parole Board in place and operating starting Jan. 1, 2021. Quick facts

The Government of Alberta will appoint Alberta Parole Board members for provincial parole decisions.

Alberta would be joining Ontario and Quebec, which have had their own provincial parole boards since 1978. As with the Alberta plan, their boards make parole decisions for applicants serving a sentence of less than two years in provincial correctional facilities.  

–Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks &Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture & Forestry – Strengthening Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry SectorsEmissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is calling for proposals for the challenge which will accelerate innovation in support of long-term competitiveness an stimulate growth in the critically important agriculture, agri-food and forestry sectors. A total l of $40 million will come from the TIER Fund – part of Alberta’s climate response, funded by industry – to support the challenge. The investments will be used to aid recovery, strengthen existing industries and help create new opportunities from small and medium enterprises across these sectors. The application deadline is Aug 27, at 5pm MT. Visit eralberta.ca for more information and eligibility criteria, or to sign up for an informational webinar to be held on June 29.   

–Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw– Seniors            

The restrictions that go along with COVID-19 have been hard on seniors.  138 of 143 have been age 60 or older.       The strict measures in place at long-term care facilities have been necessary to protect seniors in these residences, but have increased loneliness for them.             

While some restrictions have been lifted, and more visiting is possible, physical distancing requirements are still required.             

As this is Seniors Week, she encourages all Albertans to reach out to seniors in whatever way is possible. 

 Is There a Concern the Public Protests Being Held Could be a Superspreader Event?            Any time people are gathered together there is a risk that it could spread COVID. While people are exercising their democratic right to protest, they need to remember to take measures to keep physically distant and wear masks when they cannot maintain that distance.  

Recreation Centres            Public health is considering what adjustments could be made to sports to make them possible in which to participate, as well as how they could be made safer for people to protect from the virus.         

Outbreak at Mountain View Poultry Plant OverAn outbreak at the Mountain View Poultry Plant was mentioned several weeks ago. Thanks to decisive and swift action by the company and public health to put measures in place and get testing, the outbreak was kept 5 people, and it is now over.   

Case updates There are 34 new cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 400.  6,501    people have recovered.  There are currently 53 people hospitalized, with 6 in intensive care.  There are no new deaths today.  Hospitalizations are a measure of transmission that was happening about 3 weeks before being admitted to hospital.  Ten cases have come about as a result of 2 private gatherings in the Edmonton area. As soon as symptoms were felt, those attending got tested, and now contact tracing to try to limit the spread.  

Latest updates 

• 34 new cases have been reported, bringing the number of active cases to 400.  6,501 people have recovered.
• Cases have been identified in all zones across the province: 
  • 309 active cases and 4,483 recovered cases in the Calgary zone
  • 28 active cases and 1,202 recovered cases in the South zone
  • 44 active cases and 497 recovered cases in the Edmonton zone
  • 17 active cases and 213 recovered cases in the North zone
  • 2 active cases and 95 recovered cases in the Central zone
  • 3 active cases and 9 recovered cases in zones yet to be confirmed
  • Additional information, including the total number of cases, is reported online.
• There have been 666 cases to date with an unknown exposure.
• The total deaths are 143: 104 in the Calgary zone; 16 in the North zone; 13 in the Edmonton zone; 9 in the South zone; and one in the Central zone.  
• There are 59 active cases and 662 recovered cases at continuing care facilities. 109 residents at these facilities have died.
• So far, 253,415 Albertans have been tested and labs have performed 260,365 tests, with 3,138 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
• Any individual exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath, is eligible for testing. People can access testing by completing the COVID-19 self-assessment online. A separate self-assessment tool is available for health-care and shelter workers, enforcement and first responders. 
• Aggregate data, showing cases by age range and zone, as well as by local geographic areas, is available online at alberta.ca/covid19statistics.

 (Central zone and areas around Calgary includes:

• Ponoka County – 3 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 3 recovered
• City of Camrose – 2 cases, 0 active, 1 death, 1 recovered
• County of Camrose – 1 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 1 recovered
• Red Deer – 37 cases; 1 active, 0 deaths, 36 recovered
• City of Lacombe – 2 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 2 recovered
• County of Lacombe – 3 cases; 0 active, 0 deaths; 3 recovered
• County of Stettler – 2 cases, 0 active, 0 death; 2 recovered
• Red Deer County – 15 cases, 1 active, 0 deaths, 14 recovered
• Clearwater County – 2 cases; 0 active, 0 deaths; 2 recovered
• Mountain View County – 9 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 9 recovered
• Kneehill County – 4 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths; 4 recovered
• MD of Bighorn – 18 cases; 0 active, 0 deaths; 18 recovered
• MD of Rockyview – 44 cases; 3 active, 0 deaths; 41 recovered
• Wheatland County – 10 cases; 1 active, 0 deaths; 9 recovered
• ID No. 9 (Banff & Canmore) – 4 cases; 1 active, 0 deaths; 3 recovered
• Foothills County – 726 cases, 22 active, 8 deaths; 696recovered
• City of Airdrie – 47 cases, 1 active, 1 deaths, 15 recovered
• City of Calgary – 3972 cases;  408 active, 95 deaths; 3469 recovered
• City of Brooks – 1096 cases, 20 active, 8 deaths, 1068 recovered
• County of Newell – 15 cases, 1 active, 0 deaths; 14 recovered
• Special Areas No. 2 – 2 cases; 0 active, 1 death; 1 recovered

I am including smaller towns within counties, where I can get the information.  The total of each smaller town is also included in the country total. If there is a town I have not included that you would like to see, please let me know and I will see if I can get that info. Sometimes more than 1 town is lumped in together or not separated from the county figures – for example, Penhold, Blackfalds and the area around Red Deer is included in Red Deer County figures. 

• Black Diamond – 29 cases, 3 active, 0 deaths, 26 recovered
• Canmore – 18 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 18 recovered
• Cochrane-Springbank – 21 cases, 2 active, 0 deaths, 19 recovered
• Crossfield – 6 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 6 recovered
• Chestermere – 32 cases, 3 active, 0 deaths, 29 recovered
• Didsbury/Carstairs – 5 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 5 recovered
• Drumheller – 2 cases, 2 active
• High River – 537 cases, 11 active, 7 deaths, 519 recovered
• Innisfail/Bowden – 1 case, 0 active, 0 deaths, 1 recovered
• Okotoks – Priddis – 163 cases, 9 active, 1 deaths, 153 recovered
• Olds – 3 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 3 recovered
• Rocky Mountain House – 1 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 1 recovered
• Strathmore – 23 cases, 2 active, 0 deaths, 21 recovered
• Sundre – 2 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 2 recovered
• Sylvan Lake – 3 cases, 0 active; 0 deaths; 3 recovered
• Three Hills / Highway 21 – 4 cases, 0 active, 0 deaths, 4 recovered

OUTBREAK SITES 

• Outbreak = 2 or more cases which indicates community spread in the facility. Congregate sites are required to report even 1 possible case. Outbreak is declared over when 4 weeks have passed with no new cases. 

• Long-term care and supported living facilities with COVID-19 cases:   I have included the information from the Alberta government website plus information from other sources. 
• If a site is no longer on the list it is because there have been no new cases for four  weeks.
• There are 61 active cases and 649 recovered cases at continuing care facilities. 104 residents at these facilities have died.
  • Academy of Aging, Calgary
  • AgeCare Sunrise Gardens, Brooks
  • Bow View Manor, Calgary – this site was declared outbreak free, then another case occurred in a staff member acquired outside of the facility. There are no cases in other staff members or residents. 
  • Carewest Sarcee, Calgary has 12 cases and 2 deaths. 
  • Chartwell Eau Claire Retirement Residences, Calgary
  • High River Long Term Care (in High River Hospital), High River
  • Hillcrest Extendicare, Calgary, 2 deaths
  • Intercare Brentwood, Calgary, 2 deaths. 
  • Intercare  Chinook Care Centre, Calgary
  • JB Wood Continuing Care, High Prairie, 4 deaths
  • Kensington Village – Shepherd’s Care, Edmonton – 37 cases – 29 have recovered, 4 deaths
  • McKenzie Towne Long Term Care, Calgary, 114 confirmed cases, 20 deaths. A new positive case was identified. 
  • Millrise Place, Calgary
  • Wentworth Manor, The Residence, Calgary

• Other outbreak sites:

• Amazon Distribution Centre, Balzac
• APS Calgary
• Calgary Alpha House 
• Calgary Drop-in Rehab Centre Society, Calgary – 10 cases, 2 recovered
• Calgary Refrigerated Warehouse, Calgary
• Canada Post, Calgary
• Cargill Meat Processing Plant, High River
• Cascade Recovery+, Calgary, 14 cases
• Co-op Macleod Trail, CalgaryCo-op Midtown, Calgary
• ECCO Recycling and Energy Corporation, Calgary
• Fibrebuilt Manufacturing, Calgary
• Flyers force, Calgary
• Golden Happiness Bakery
• Harmony Beef – Meat packing, Rocky View County 
• JBS Foods/Brooks  
• McDonalds, Brooks
• MCF Feedlots, Brooks
• Purolator, Calgary – 59 employees, 5 have recovered so far
•  Terashita’s No Frills, Brooks
• Thomas Fresh, Calgary
• Walmart Logistics Distribution Warehouse, Calgary
• West Coast Reduction Ltd, Calgary

Aggressive measures are being implemented in all outbreaks and they are affective.  AHS and Public Health has learned from the earlier outbreaks and is putting aggressive measures in place immediately an outbreak is identified. Exposures that happened before measures put in place can continue to happen for up to 2 weeks because of the long incubation period. 

ABTraceTogether app

• The ABTraceTogether app will enhance current manual contact tracing and capacity, and facilitate early detection to help reduce the spread of the virus and better protect Albertans. It means Albertans will be contacted more quickly if they are at risk.
• Use of the app is voluntary; users must opt in.
• The app does not track the user’s physical location and does not use GPS. Protecting privacy is paramount; all contact data is only on the user’s phone and is deleted after 21 days.  
• Secure contact tracing is a cornerstone of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. More information on the app, including links to download it, can be found online.
• Since its launch, the app has attracted 196,852 registered users.