Calgary minor soccer spectator tested positive for COVID-19, league says

A spectator at a recent soccer game hosted by the Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) is one of Calgary's confirmed cases of COVID-19, the league said Wednesday.

According to a statement attributed to CMSA executive director Susan Cress, the league learned of the case on Tuesday.

"[The individual], observing a Final Four championship game on [March 5], has been confirmed with COVID-19," Cress said. "We don't have any more specifics and have directed anyone with questions or concerns to Alberta Health Services website or to consult Health Link [at] 811."

The CMSAsent a statement to parents and team officials on Tuesday evening, informing them of the case. The CMSAalso requested attendees inform other spectators and contact Health Link if they experience symptoms.

To protect of the privacy of individuals with COVID-19, Alberta Health said it does not confirm whether any individual has been confirmed to have the virus.

However, Tom McMillan,spokesperson for Alberta Health, said a process beginswhenever anyone tests positive.

"AHS immediately conducts a risk assessment of anyone who may have come in close contact with an individual," McMillan said in an email to CBC News. "Anyone who may be at risk is asked to isolate for 14 days. If they have symptoms, they are tested and, if they do not, they are monitored by public health in case they develop them."

McMillan said anyone who is not contacted is not at risk and does not need to take any additional precautionary measures.

"Wewant all Albertans to understand thatif someone has tested positive, steps are immediately taken to isolate them and anyone at risk, so there is no risk to the public health," he said.

Alberta reported five newcases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number in the province to 19, all of which are travel-related.

The WHO labelled the health crisis as a pandemic on Wednesday with more than 100 countries now reporting cases of COVID-19.

• Have you got a news tiptied to the COVID-19 outbreak? You can reach CBC Calgaryat calgarynewstips@cbc.ca or CBC Edmonton here.