What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Monday, April 13

The latest:

• As of Monday, the province had a total of1,732 confirmed cases. A majority of these cases are in the Calgary zone.
• Two more Albertans have died in the Calgary zone.
• Anyone in Alberta with fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat can now be tested by filing a request online.
• The Alberta government has announced$286,000 grant for a study intohydroxychloroquine's effects on COVID-19.
• Amazon Canada reports an employee at its Balzac warehouse has contractedCOVID-19.
• A southern Alberta meat packaging plant has 38 COVID-19 cases, prompting the union to demand a temporary closure.

What you need to know today in Alberta

The Alberta government has announced it will put $286,000 towarda new research study into hydroxycloroquine's effects on managing COVID-19 symptoms. A neuroscientist from the University of Calgary is leading the clinical trials, for which researchers hope to recruit 1,600 volunteers.

The anti-malarial drugis currently the subject of several coronavirus studies around the world.

Amazon Canada says one of its employees at its warehouse in Balzac has contracted COVID-19.

The company says it has implemented "extreme measures" to prevent spread. Astatement from the company detailed hand washing, extending breaks, telephone access, paid quarantine leaveand increased physical distancing as some of what they're doing.

Former health-care workers are stepping up to help staff much-needed positions in hospitals. Hundreds have offered to come out of retirement or new careers, Alberta Health Services said.

WATCH: How Alberta stockpiled medical equipment before COVID-19 struck:

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Alberta Health Services started ordering personal protective equipment (PPE) as coronavirus was taking hold in China and is now able to help other provinces in need of gloves, masks and ventilators.

The union at a meat packaging plant south of Calgary is calling on management to temporarily close the facility or improve physical distancing measures, saying the close-contact work could lead to rapid spread of the virus.

About 2,000 people work at the Cargill plant, close to the city with the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province. As of Monday, the union said a total of 38 employees have contracted the illness.

Another McDonald's restaurant closed over the weekend for deep-cleaning after an employee tested positive for the virus.

As Albertans celebrate Passover and the last day of the Easter long weekend, health officials are urging people to reach out to family by phone or video chat, and to drop off treats or turkey dinners on doorsteps, while staying at least two metres from each other.

For those using shared laundry rooms, cleaning clothes can be a stressful time. An expert at the University of Alberta provides directions on how to safely wash clothes and go to the laundromat during this pandemic.

Number of cases

According to the latest update from Alberta Health, the province currently has1,732 cases Monday, up from1,651 on Sunday. The department also reported an additional two deaths, both in the Calgary zone.

A woman in her 80s who lived at theCarewest Sarceelong-term care homein Calgary has died. A man in his 80s who lived in the Calgary zone, not in a care home, has also died.

The majority of cases remain in the Calgary zone, which has 64 per cent of confirmed tests.

The regional breakdown of cases is:

• Calgary zone: 1,114.
• Edmonton zone: 399.
• North zone: 103.
• Central zone: 74.
• South zone: 33.
• Unknown: 7.

More than 77,000 Albertans have been tested for COVID-19.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Monday that anyone withfever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat can be tested for COVID-19.

What you need to know today in Canada

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada exceeded 25,000 on Monday.Politicians and health officials increasingly are focused on the situation in long-term care facilities.

In particular, deaths in a private seniors' residence in Montreal have garnered police attention. Quebec health officials are now inspecting facilities to ensure they're taking adequate precautions against the virus.

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Finding a way to help during the pandemic

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From buying groceries for seniors to babysitting for essential workers, people are finding creative ways to help their community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These heartbreaking events underscored the need for stringent infection prevention and control measures and led to the development of infection prevention and control guidance for long-term care homes," said Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam.

Officials estimate the numbers of actual COVID-19 cases are higher than what's been reported as not all cases are lab-confirmed.

Canada continues to work to build a supply chain for personal protective equipment in the face of higher demand.

CBC News continues to compile what's happening across the country and around the world in a daily update.

Self-assessment

Alberta Health Services has an online self-assessment tool that allows people to input their information directly to request a test.

As of Monday, anyone withfever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat can be tested for COVID-19.

The province says Albertans who have returned to Canada after March 12 must self-isolate for 14 days. Unless your situation is critical and requires a call to 911, Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 before visiting a physician, hospital or other health-care facility.

If you have symptoms, even mild, you are required to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

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How to physical distance in tricky situations

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Physical distancing has radically changed how we socialize. But there are still some scenarios where its difficult to limit our physical contact with others. Heres how to best navigate them.

You can find Alberta Health Services' latest coronavirus updates here.