‘Special cases’ of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Chinook Mall, Calgary

Article content continued

In a statement to PostMedia, Cadillac Fairview sent a memo to retail clients “confirming specific cases of COVID-19 at various retail premises at the property”.

“We continue to ensure safety at the center with our enhanced safety measures in line with local public health guidelines,” the statement said.

The memo said on Twitter that Alberta Health Services had indicated that no further action was required. These cases were not publicly shared on the CF Chinook Center’s social media or website.

Dr. Deena Hinsha, Alberta’s chief medical officer, said local public health officials were not issuing warnings for COVID – 19 cases and that cases were being reported publicly when an outbreak occurred. Diffusion can be a cluster of five or more or 10 or more cases depending on the setting.

“In that case if there is a setting where we feel there is significant disclosure where we can not contact the public at all, the local public health may choose to issue an alert,” Hinsha said.

The ability of malls to operate safely will depend on whether they comply with public health restrictions – mandatory masks, capacity limits, and a physical distance of two meters, she said.

“These are the types that help reduce the risks,” she says.

Hinsha said it is safest to go to the retailer during off-hours or to use pickup options on the sidewalk.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of mall managers, retail store managers and the Alberts who attend there to keep these places as safe as possible,” she said.