CALGARY The Town of Banff says the mountain community is in mourning after a 43-year-old man reportedly died from the disease last week. On the town s Facebook page, Mayor Karen Sorensen shared news of the fatality and her condolences with the family of Ron Giesbrecht. On behalf of Banff town council, our town administration and the residents of Banff, I want to express our sincere sympathies to the family of Ron Giesbrecht, said Mayor Karen Sorensen. Any time we have a death in our community, it has a big impact. This is a friend, a family member, a co-worker, a contributor to our community who we have lost.
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While its COVID-19 numbers have dropped dramatically in recent days, the town of Banff on Wednesday announced its first death linked to the virus, a man in his 40s.
Banff-Lake Louise has fallen from its perch as Alberta’s worst COVID-19 hot spot in terms of active cases, with the rate per 100,000 people dropping from 1,219 two weeks ago to 349, say emergency officials.
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But at the same time, Banff announced its first COVID-19 fatality, 43-year-old Ron Giesbrecht. He was launching a new business, Rundle Mountain Ink, when he died, Mayor Karen Sorensen said in a written statement and video.
Banff announced its first COVID-19 fatality, 43-year-old Ron Giesbrecht, who was launching a new business, Rundle Mountain Ink when he died, said Mayor Karen…
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. Photo by Chris Schwarz /Government of Alberta
Albertans who have an eligible medical condition that allows for a mask exemption are now required to carry a doctor’s note, the province’s top doctor said Thursday in response to some people finding “loopholes” in existing guidelines.
Effective Thursday, a medical exemption letter provided by a nurse practitioner, physician or psychologist is required to verify qualified medical conditions, such as sensory processing disorders, cognitive impairment, facial trauma and recent oral or jaw surgeries.
“There have been some incidents reported in the media where individuals who are not following public health rules are perhaps seeking loopholes or areas in the rules where it’s not clear,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.