Alberta’s newly appointed top public health doctor has released a statement on the increasing number of respiratory viruses — flu, RSV and COVID-19 — circulating in the province.
Dr. Mark Joffe, who was named Alberta’s chief medical officer of health on Nov. 14, urged Albertans to get their flu shot and take other steps to reduce the spread.
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Joffe to replace Hinshaw as Alberta’s chief medical officer of health: provincial government
He said Canada’s flu season usually mimics Australia’s, which has experienced a severe respiratory virus season.
“In Australia, the highest rates of influenza illness were in children and teenagers, and children under 16 years of age accounted for the majority of influenza hospitalizations. Influenza can also have a serious impact on the elderly.
“While most children, youth and adults recover from the flu without complications, some may become very ill and require hospital treatment,” Joffe said in an emailed statement.
“We can expect to see similar outcomes in Alberta. Over the past few weeks, Alberta has seen an increase in reports of symptoms such as cough and fever in schools and daycares. We are keeping a close eye on the situation in schools,” continued Joffe’s statement.
“The province continues to return to long-standing practices to manage respiratory infections in general. This includes local public health officials notifying schools of outbreaks and providing them with advice and support as needed.
“Transmission levels will vary over time and between communities. We encourage Albertans to assess their risk at any time and take appropriate precautions.”
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Since he was named the new interim CMOH, Albertans have not heard from Joffe.
Several hospital executives held news conferences Tuesday, addressing the rise in children’s respiratory illnesses, high numbers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), early onset of flu season, the Stollery Children’s Hospital at capacity and long waits at Alberta emergency rooms.
The Edmonton Public School Board also manages high absenteeism in schools with many children who are sick. The board is considering asking the CMOH for specific advice and recommendations.
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“I encourage Albertans to take simple, daily actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses,” Joffe said, including:
- Stay home when you feel sick;
- Make the choice to stay current on your vaccinations, and talk to a doctor or other care provider if you have questions about options;
- Wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask can help reduce the risk of getting sick and protect others from exposure. “Albertans must be supported regardless of their choice to mask or not,” he wrote.
- If possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Clean hands regularly with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds;
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
- Maintain good respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes;
- Avoid or limit time spent in crowded indoor places;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items at home, especially when someone in your home is sick.
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Joffe’s statement also included information about booking immunization appointments.
Albertans can book flu shots or COVID-19 boosters through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System or by calling Health Link at 811.
Some pharmacies also offer walk-in vaccinations.
Joffe’s biography page on the Alberta Health Services website says his “diverse clinical experience includes his specialty practice in infectious diseases.” The Calgary native has worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, as well as the Edmonton Center for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and the Edmonton Institution for Women.
Since becoming prime minister last month, Smith has said she will replace Hinshaw and find new people to advise her government on decisions related to public health.
In a news release issued by the provincial government late Monday afternoon, Health Minister Jason Copping said Joffe “brings this wealth of experience and knowledge to the role of chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with him.
“I also want to thank Dr. Deena Hinshaw for her service and dedication to Albertans over the past several years.”
The government noted Joffe will continue to work under his current contract with AHS and receive no additional compensation for his new role.
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In a news conference earlier Wednesday about the rising number of respiratory illnesses, Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley said Albertans deserve to hear updates and plans from the premier, health minister and CMOH.
“For example, we have school boards here in Edmonton that are desperately appealing to the provincial government and especially the chief medical officer of health to provide more complete information on the state of outbreaks across the board, as well as specific recommendations for how best to to keep our children safe and also about what we can expect going forward. And we don’t get that kind of information,” Notley said.
“We have a serious outbreak of infectious diseases that is affecting our children to the point where we have 12-hour lineups at children’s emergency rooms and we don’t seem to have anyone who thinks it’s their job to step up and address the issue. not to speak.
“No one is in control. Consequently, no one is responsible. No one provides leadership. No one is protecting the health and safety of our children in this province and this is a total failure of leadership.”
Notley also said the firing of Hinshaw and the appointment of Joffe as the new interim CMOH sends a message.
“We have a chief medical officer of health who, although a very credible person, is not even paid to do the job. And he still does his other complete work. So it sounds to me like we have a government that doesn’t really value that role.
“Furthermore, the previous chief medical officer of health was literally fired because they disagreed politically with the scientific evidence she presented or tried,” Notley said.
“We have a new acting chief medical officer of health who actually has a huge range of responsibilities in his current job who has been given no time and no extra money to do this whole other job.”
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