Yikes.
That hike in COVID-19 cases over the weekend was a little scary.
On Friday, 858 active cases were reported in the province, on Monday, there were 1,116.
But we are still sitting at zero active cases of COVID-19 in Jasper, after our last recovery was reported May 16.
Yes, these figures reflect cases of Jasper residents, not those who pass through - and we have heard rumours about guests who have tested positive after staying here. There are active cases all across Canada and some of those people will be travelling, perhaps through Jasper and attending Jasper hotels, restaurants and other services. Some will be asymptomatic, unaware they have the virus.
But so far the numbers show that there has been no transmission from visitors to residents. Tests are taken here daily but no Jasperites have been diagnosed with COVID-19 for a couple of months.
But is it only a matter of time?
At the other end of the Icefield Parkway, Banff leapt from three active cases to eight over the weekend.
And we should remember that these new cases would have been transmitted a week or two ago.
Our town is bustling, but despite some complaints about people not wearing masks or not adhering to social distancing, I feel like I see many more masks and people acting responsibly in this community than other places I have visited recently.
The Municipality of Jasper has launched a campaign to help keep the town safe with new messaging on large digital signs and hand-outs at park gates. They are asking that everyone who enters the community to practice physical distancing and wear a mask when they are unable to maintain a two metre distance.
All we can do is whatever we can to follow public health guidelines and keep ourselves and our families safe.
We should continue to practice physical distancing and wear masks in public, wash our hands frequently and monitor for symptoms. If you are feeling sick, stay home.
Get tested, even if you are feeling well. Testing is now open to everyone and the more people who are tested, the more accurate our official numbers will be. You can book an appointment online at www.ahs.ca.
The provincial numbers may seem threatening but Jasper’s numbers are reassuring. We’re doing something right - let’s keep doing what we can to stay safe, and long may it continue.
Fuchsia Dragon
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