Ramping up the response to COVID-19

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While the risk of developing COVID-19 remains low in Alberta according to medical experts, organizations throughout Strathmore and Wheatland County are ramping up preventative measures against the virus.
The province has enacted several measures, basically trying to keep people from gathering in close quarters to limit possible transmission of the virus.
Most recently, the government announced all school classes are cancelled, from kindergarten to university, and all daycares are closed, until further notice.
For students of the Golden Hills School Division, that means all regular classes are suspended, no buses will be running, and all students should stay at home, said superintendent Bevan Daverne in a written statement.
“Though we do not know how long classes will be suspended, we want to provide opportunities for students to pick up their personal belongings,” said Daverne.
Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools have suspended school related activities, “paused” parent/teacher interviews, and are coordinating a process for parents for pick up children’s personal effects, according to superintendent Dr. Scott Morrison, in a written statement published on March 16.
While Grade 6 and 9 PAT exams have been cancelled, Grade 12 diploma exams are expected to continue, said Morrison.
On March 17, the Town of Strathmore expanded their response to the virus by declaring a state of local emergency, a step necessary to limit the spread of the virus, said Mayor Pat Fule.
“We are confident by taking these extraordinary preventative measures, we can protect our community, especially those who are most vulnerable, and we can slow the spread of this virus,” said Fule.
The declaration grants Strathmore’s Director of Emergency Management, Trent West, authority to “ensure compliance” of “local initiatives” that support Alberta Health Services guidelines regarding COVID-19.
The major restriction granted by this additional authority is a limit on the capacity of establishments in Strathmore to 50 per cent of their licensed occupancy, excluding grocery stores, shopping centres and pharmacies.
Despite the declaration, residents should remain calm, said Fule.
“I want to reassure residents the town and its administration are on the situation and that the safety of our residents, employees and visitors are our top response,” he said. “We have an emergency plan in place, and we have been working on pandemic planning, so we have a well-established preparation for COVID-19.”
The town is fine-tuning its human resources policies to ensure the stability of the essential services that are needed for Strathmore, to protect its employees and to assist Alberta Health Services (AHS) in their management of the local response, said Fule. The town is receiving daily briefings from AHS, including risk assessments, case updates and supporting information, he added.
In accordance with the provincial guidelines, the town has cancelled all events over 250 attendees, with smaller events being evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
All town recreation facilities, the Strathmore Public Library and the Happy Gang Seniors Drop-in Centre are now closed indefinitely. An update of the status of all Town of Strathmore services, programs and facilities is available online at: strathmore.ca/covid19.
Wheatland County has been monitoring and analyzing the situation, and has determined that as of March 17, it is not yet necessary for the county to declare a state of local emergency as the county has a limited number of restaurants and other such venues, said Amber Link, County Reeve.
“We have a couple of very small establishments, but our understanding is that they are already following the Alberta Health guidelines,” she said. “We don’t see a need at this point to instate a state of local emergency for enforcement.”
Instead, county administration and council are focusing on staff and resident safety, including developing procedures for employees to work remotely and maintaining essential services for residents, such as water, wastewater, solid waste, road maintenance and emergency response, said Link.
“We have been working to ensure those things continue to operate,” said Link.
If residents want to have meeting with staff, such as development planning meetings, the county is asking them to make an appointment to “mitigate social distancing.”
County staff have been “excellent” at monitoring the ever-evolving situation and responding appropriately, said Link.
“It’s so dynamic – it’s changing every day,” she said. “I’ve been very grateful of our staff and administration for the work they have done throughout this unprecedented time.”