Alberta has it's first presumptive case of Covid 19 or the Coronavirus.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health says the patient is a woman from the Calgary zone.

"The individual is a woman in her 50's who appears to have contracted the virus while aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship in California," she says. "The individual who lives in the Calgary Zone returned on February 21. She has been isolated at home since February 28. The individual is recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery"

Dr. Hinshaw says it's known what the woman did or where she may have gone during the week between returning home and receiving the diagnosis. AHS officials are still working to determine that.

There were other Albertans on the ship and AHS is working with the federal government to get a passenger list.

"Public health officials are reaching out to all individuals who may have been in contact with this person, assessing their health and instructing them to stay at home for 14 days after their last contact with this person. Anyone who had close contact who has symptoms will be tested," she says.

Dr. Hinshaw says it's still very important to wash your hands and make sure not to touch your face to keep from passing on any illness.

"Again at present the most important recommendation I would have is, as I've been saying for weeks, an Albertan who a fever and cough should stay home, because whether it's influenza or anything else we don't want to spread that."

She says the risk for Albertans is still considered low.

 

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