Is it too early to reopen? An infectious disease expert weighs in
Posted May 7, 2020 7:30 am.
Last Updated May 7, 2020 1:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – One week from now, we’ll be seeing some businesses across the province reopening, but many are wondering if it’s too early.
The Alberta government has set May 14 as the start of its relaunch strategy with some businesses like restaurants, bars and hair salons allowed to open.
However, according to one infectious disease expert, there’s a risk in getting people too excited about reopening.
“I think the risk we run is we get excited about opening things up and we go too quickly or we get too enthusiastic and we lose sight of the actual numbers,” said Dr. Craig Jenne. “Unfortunately, that will lead to expanded outbreaks and probably fatalities if we’re not careful.
Jenne added Albertans need to keep listening to the advice from public health officials and if a place opens for business, you’re responsible to maintain physical distancing, practice good hygiene, and follow the safety rules the store owners put in place.
RELATED: ‘It is not go time’: City councillors express concern over reopening economy
However, Jenne believes a phased reopening approach could work.
“We are seeing a bit of a decline and we can go with the safest of all options so things that are able to fully maintain physical distancing, avoiding crowding people into a common area. We probably can start addressing that on May 14.”
When it comes to contact tracing, Jenne said it could prove difficult during the relaunch phase.
Last week, Alberta Health unveiled a new app that uses Bluetooth to log interactions with those who test positive for COVID-19.
The app allows Alberta Health Services (AHS) to use information from those who have the app to track down people who had close contact with infected people.
WATCH: ABTraceTogether app aims to stop the spread
Jenne said if we see an increase in cases after the province relaunches, it may be harder to perform this contact tracing.
“We have to make sure we have the capacity to not only test people rapidly but once we identify a case, determine all other people that individual might have contacted with and passed the disease onto.”
He added Alberta Health should prepare for the possibility of more cases by increasing testing capacity and contact tracing.
The ABTraceTogether is completely voluntary and available to all Albertans.
