The Alberta provincial government held another press conference today to update residents on the province's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Jason Kenney announced several new measures to provide financial relief to those effected by the outbreak.

A Emergency Isolation Support program will soon be available for adult Albertans who are self isolating and meet the provincial government's published criteria.

$50 million will go into the program, which is expected to be made available next week.

He also announced a utility payment holiday, wherein residential, farm, and small commercial customers can defer their electricity and natural gas bills for the next 90 days regardless of provider, as well as a six-month, interest-free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments.

Kenney was asked about when Albertans can expect a return to the norm, with speculation that residents may start returning to work within a few weeks.

He says it's important to stay realistic and practical.

"It's my duty as premier to offer people a sense of hope, but it's also my obligation to be realistic and honest. I believe there are reasons for hope; strong reasons for hope, that we'll come out of this stronger than ever, but this is going to take some time, and I think Albertans need to start to wrap their heads around that."

He continues, "Our scientists project that the viral infection in Alberta will peak about four or five weeks from now. That's means that it will hopefully start to incline in its intensity after that, but still psoe a very real threat to public health well into May and then into June."

Dr. Deena Hinsaw also appeared to give an update on the public health side of the pandemic in Alberta.

22 new cases have been confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial total up to 119.

Of those 119, six are believed to have been from community transition.

Six individuals are receiving treatment in hospital, three of which are in intensive care.

Dr. Hinsaw also shared some "good news stories."

Nearly 15,000 tests have been performed thus far. Hinshaw says Alberta is performing more tests than any other North American jurisdiction per capita.

She says several returning travelers have closely followed recommended procedures, including self isolation and contacted Health Link to be tested. Those who tested positive had few contacts at risk, if any, due to their accordance with health procedures.

AHS' online self assessment tool has been accessed more than 1.3 million times.

To view the full conference, click here.

For more COVID-19 information from the Alberta Government, click here.

To view geographical data for COVID-19 cases in Alberta, click here.

 

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