First hospitalized case of laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Alberta, Canada
Jamil N. Kanji, Vernon Chichak, Christopher Sikora, Nelson Lee, Graham Tipples, Nathan Zelyas
Abstract
As the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to evolve globally and within our Canadian borders, hospitals will begin to see an increasing number of confirmed or suspected cases at their doors. Although many patients can be managed at home, a reasonable proportion will experience progression of disease requiring hospitalization and potentially mechanical ventilation and intensive care. Herein, we report the presentation of the first case of COVID-19 admitted to hospital in Alberta. While The patient's course was mild, this case highlights a number of key points—namely the importance of widespread testing in the community to help inform emergency services (ambulance) workers and receiving front-line health care staff. Other important points include in-hospital monitoring and pharmacologic treatment.