It was only a matter of time before Alberta would be faced with cases of coronavirus. The global outbreak continues to be met with global outcry, surpassing 100 countries now impacted by the virus.
On Wednesday morning (Mar. 11), The World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.
More than 125,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide, claiming the lives of more than 4,700 people.
Since the novel virus came into the picture late last year, Italy has been the worst hit country following China. More than 12,000 cases are confirmed with 827 deaths reported, and the numbers continue to rise. In hopes to prevent further spread, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte placed Italy in a nationwide lock down as of March 10.
"Travel must be avoided across the entire peninsula unless it is justified by professional reason, by cases of need or for health reasons," said Conte in a press statement.
Iran is also being gravely effected. It is the third ranked country in the world with more than 10,000 confirmed cases and 429 fatalities.
WHO mentions the international community has asked for US $675 million to help protect states with weaker health systems as part of a Strategic Preparedness and Response plan.
Across the ocean, the United States is also toiling with COVID-19 as 37 states confirmed its presence. President Donald Trump suspended all travel between Europe and the U.S. for 30 days beginning Friday (March 13) in an attempt to manage its current outbreak. Citizens are being urged to avoid large gatherings and colleges across the country are shutting classrooms, issuing for online coursework until the end of the month. Sporting events including NHL games and NCAA's March Madness will be played with no spectators while the NBA has suspended its season until further notice. Concerts have also been postponed and campaign rallies cancelled. Nearly 1,300 cases have been reported across the U.S. and 38 deaths.
As for Canada, the current situation as of Thursday morning (March 12) stands as this: 107 confirmed cases in total with 42 in Ontario, 39 in British Columbia, seven in Quebec, and 19 in Alberta.
Since Alberta's first coronavirus case was confirmed on Mar. 5, the province has seen a spike in cases, all of which are travel-related.
Of the confirmed cases within Canada, one person has died while 13 per cent have been hospitalized and 76 per cent of those infected are over the age of 40.
"The events of the past week, both in Alberta and globally are significant," said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health. "More countries around the world have cases, and some of these countries are grappling with large outbreaks. At this point, it is likely that we will be dealing with this virus worldwide for many months to come."
On March 11, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government will be spending $1 billion to help provinces with COVID-19. This will include waiving the one week waiting period to access employment insurance benefits as well as funding to equip health authorities with proper supplies.
The Government of Canada has requested the Canadian Red Cross to support returning Canadians abroad the Grand Princess cruise ship. The self-contained temporary health clinic will provide medical consultation and non-urgent clinical care for day-to-day medical needs for those quarantined at CFB Trenton.
Rocky View Schools superintendent, Greg Luterbach issued a statement to parents saying the health and safety of its students and staff is a primary focus. Bow Valley High's international excursion to Cambodia in early April has been cancelled. Several other schools with educational field trips within Alberta and the United States between now and May have not been cancelled yet, but could be in the future as new information becomes available.
In the midst of COVID-19, economic impacts are becoming more apparent as energy and travel industries are among those hit the hardest. Air travel has taken a halt as numerous airlines are seeing a significant drop in demand and flights are being slashed. Oil-producing countries have seen a deep production cut and crude prices continue to decline. Mortgage rates are also slumping as The Bank of Canada issued an emergency cut of 50 basis points to its key interest rate on March 4 in an effort to keep the economy moving. Many forecasters believe another fall could follow suit sometime before June.
Widespread panic could begin to see an increase as retail stores around Cochrane and Calgary have already been faced with empty shelves from consumers stocking up on essentials like toilet paper and non-perishable food items.
It is imperative to continue to be diligent in terms of COVID-19, and not live in trepidation but instead assess the situation on a broader level and base our thoughts in accordance.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director general echoed to the world "We are not at the mercy of this virus."
"Let hope be the antidote to fear. Let solidarity be the antidote to blame. Let our shared humanity be the antidote to our shared threat."
