From: Health Minister <Health.Minister@gov.ab.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 3:31 PM
To: David Dickson <david.dickson@dksdata.com>
Cc: DraytonValley.Devon@assembly.ab.ca
Subject: COVID-19 Data and Masking

THE TALL TALES OF TWO MINISTERS OF HEALTHR 209982

Dear David Dickson:

Mark Smith, MLA, Drayton Valley-Devon, forwarded your correspondence regarding COVID-19 data and masking practices in the province. As
Minister of Health, I appreciate the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Government of Alberta.
Regarding your query about COVID-19 data, cases are listed based on the date that laboratory results are reported to Alberta Health. On theCOVID-19 Alberta Statistics dashboard, Figure 8 (under the “Severe Outcomes” tab) displays information about the number of deaths based on thedate of death reported to Alberta Health. As noted in the data notes, numbers may fluctuate as case information is updated.
With respect to masking practices in the province, all remaining Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health COVID-19 orders were lifted onJune 30, 2022. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has maintained its own masking policies in AHS-operated and contracted facilities. AHS continues toreview and evaluate these policies in an effort to balance the safety and preferences of patients, staff, and visitors. For more information, pleaserefer to the AHS Use of Masks During COVID-19 Directive.
Thank you again for writing.
Sincerely,AR 217817

Dear [redacted]:
Honourable Dale Nally, MLA for Morinville-St. Albert, forwarded your letter to Premier Smith and me, regarding COVID-19 outbreak requirements incontinuing care homes. As Minister of Health, I appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Alberta lifted the remaining Chief Medical Officer of Health pandemic-related Orders on June 30, 2022. Now that we are following a more routine
approach to disease management for COVID-19, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has incorporated guidance and requirements into their standard
operating policies and procedures for infection prevention and control for all communicable diseases. This helps to ensure that the most appropriate
level of protection is in place for residents if there is an outbreak at their site.
In alignment with pre-pandemic practice, outbreaks in continuing care homes are managed by the AHS Zone Medical Officer of Health, who works incollaboration with the home’s administration to determine the appropriate management strategies and protocols. This may include isolating
symptomatic residents, continuous masking and eye protection, limiting group activities, and enhanced cleaning protocols. AHS encourages site
administration to manage outbreaks on a unit or floor basis to limit disruptions to residents in other areas of the building.
Alberta’s government continues to emphasize the need to protect residents in continuing care from multiple health risks, including the direct risk ofrespiratory illness and the health risks of social isolation and disconnection that you mentioned. As these risks sometimes compete, there is nosingle, straightforward path to address all needs and preferences simultaneously. We continue to work with operators, residents, families, staff, andother key stakeholders to seek the right balance.

Jason Copping
Minister of Healthcc:

From: Health Minister <Health.Minister@gov.ab.ca>
Date: February 27, 2024 at 3:47:13 PM MST
To: [redacted]
Cc: "Morinville-St. Albert" <Morinville.StAlbert@assembly.ab.ca>
Subject: Continuing Care Outbreak Requirements

Mark Smith, MLA, Drayton Valley-Devon

Regarding your questions about the reporting of COVID-19 deaths, you may be interested in the information provided by the Government of Alberta
about severe outcomes from COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. The dashboard also includes the definition that the government uses when reportinga death from COVID-19 or influenza.
Thank you for writing, and please accept my best wishes for your wife’s heath.
Sincerely,
Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Healthcc:

https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#severe-outcomesBackup URL
https://web.archive.org/web/20230419213606/https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#severe-outcomes

Honourable Dale Nally, MLA, Morinville-St. Albert

https://www.alberta.ca/stats/dashboard/respiratory-virus-dashboard.htm?data=severe-outcomes#severe-outcomes

https://dksdata.com/AlbertaDead

THE TALL TALES OF TWO MINISTERS OF HEALTH
From: Health Minister <Health.Minister@gov.ab.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 3:31 PM
To: David Dickson <david.dickson@dksdata.com>
Cc: DraytonValley.Devon@assembly.ab.ca
Subject: COVID-19 Data and Masking
Dear David Dickson:

R 209982

Mark Smith, MLA, Drayton Valley-Devon, forwarded your correspondence regarding COVID-19 data and masking practices in the province. As Ministerof Health, I appreciate the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Government of Alberta.
Regarding your query about COVID-19 data, cases are listed based on the date that laboratory results are reported to Alberta Health. On the COVID-19
Alberta Statistics dashboard, Figure 8 (under the “Severe Outcomes” tab) displays information about the number of deaths based on the date of deathreported to Alberta Health. As noted in the data notes, numbers may fluctuate as case information is updated.
With respect to masking practices in the province, all remaining Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health COVID-19 orders were lifted on June 30, 2022.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has maintained its own masking policies in AHS-operated and contracted facilities. AHS continues to review and evaluate
these policies in an effort to balance the safety and preferences of patients, staff, and visitors. For more information, please refer to the AHS Use ofMasks During COVID-19 Directive.
Thank you again for writing.
Sincerely,Jason Copping
Minister of Healthcc:Mark Smith, MLA, Drayton Valley-Devon

https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#severe-outcomesBackup URL
https://web.archive.org/web/20230419213606/https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#severe-outcomes

https://dksdata.com/AlbertaDead

From: Health Minister <Health.Minister@gov.ab.ca>
Date: February 27, 2024 at 3:47:13 PM MST
To: [redacted]
Cc: "Morinville-St. Albert" <Morinville.StAlbert@assembly.ab.ca>
Subject: Continuing Care Outbreak Requirements

AR 217817

Dear [redacted]:Honourable Dale Nally, MLA for Morinville-St. Albert, forwarded your letter to Premier Smith and me, regarding COVID-19 outbreak requirements incontinuing care homes. As Minister of Health, I appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Alberta lifted the remaining Chief Medical Officer of Health pandemic-related Orders on June 30, 2022. Now that we are following a more routine
approach to disease management for COVID-19, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has incorporated guidance and requirements into their standard
operating policies and procedures for infection prevention and control for all communicable diseases. This helps to ensure that the most appropriate
level of protection is in place for residents if there is an outbreak at their site.
In alignment with pre-pandemic practice, outbreaks in continuing care homes are managed by the AHS Zone Medical Officer of Health, who works incollaboration with the home’s administration to determine the appropriate management strategies and protocols. This may include isolating
symptomatic residents, continuous masking and eye protection, limiting group activities, and enhanced cleaning protocols. AHS encourages site
administration to manage outbreaks on a unit or floor basis to limit disruptions to residents in other areas of the building.
Alberta’s government continues to emphasize the need to protect residents in continuing care from multiple health risks, including the direct risk ofrespiratory illness and the health risks of social isolation and disconnection that you mentioned. As these risks sometimes compete, there is no single,
straightforward path to address all needs and preferences simultaneously. We continue to work with operators, residents, families, staff, and otherkey stakeholders to seek the right balance.
Regarding your questions about the reporting of COVID-19 deaths, you may be interested in the information provided by the Government of Alberta
about severe outcomes from COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. The dashboard also includes the definition that the government uses when reporting adeath from COVID-19 or influenza.
Thank you for writing, and please accept my best wishes for your wife’s heath.
Sincerely,
Adriana LaGrange
Minister of Healthcc:

Honourable Dale Nally, MLA, Morinville-St. Albert

https://www.alberta.ca/stats/dashboard/respiratory-virus-dashboard.htm?data=severe-outcomes#severe-outcomes

https://dksdata.com/AlbertaDead