Doctors warn new measures may not be enough
Alberta's newest restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 might not be enough to address the current surge of infections, concerned doctors said Wednesday.
Without knowing the source of thousands of new cases, the government's restrictions could miss the mark, said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta.
“A lot of the specifics of the restrictions really seem to be from what we thought had been places for concern or hot spots for transmission in the province, but I'm concerned because we lost the ability to effectively contact trace when the surge was getting going. We don't really know where transmission is happening anymore,” said Saxinger.
Early this month, Alberta's contact tracing program was overwhelmed and it hasn't recovered. Saxinger is worried that waiting three weeks to determine the effectiveness of the latest measures could be dangerous because there are likely some sources of spread that are under the radar.
She is pleased to see the restrictions — including banning indoor social gatherings, limiting attendance at weddings and funerals, and restricting access to some businesses — are mandatory so local health authorities can enforce them.
“Compared to the range of options we've seen on the table before, it does renew the compromise and I'm interested in seeing if there will be enough of an effect or not,” Saxinger said.
The restrictions will slow transmission in the community as long as people comply with the orders, said Dr. Daniel Gregson, an infectious disease expert at the University of Calgary, adding that it was good that the province shifted recommendations on gatherings and mask use in Calgary and Edmonton zones to be mandated restrictions.
“We don't know how effective the restrictions will be. We'll know in two weeks,” said Gregson. “Dr. Deena Hinshaw (Alberta's chief medical officer of health) is the coach and we need to follow her recommendations, although people working in the health-care system are still anxious.”
Dr. Shazma Mithani, an emergency room doctor at two hospitals in Edmonton, is one such healthcare worker. She is gravely concerned the provincial government didn't go far enough.
While the government closed certain venues, bars and restaurants are allowed to remain open with some restrictions, including a 10 p.m. last call and 11 p.m. closing time, and casinos can be open for slot machines only. For Mithani, this sends the wrong message.
“Any sort of break in protocol, any sort of slip at these places or places of worship, could lead to vast spread,” she said.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta and United Nurses of Alberta are both also urging the government to tighten restrictions, including a provincewide mask mandate.
Hinshaw reiterated the importance of people's co-operation with the new measures for them to work during a news conference Wednesday. “We cannot bend the curve if everybody does not do their part,” she said.