By Troy Gillard

319 new COVID-19 cases Thursday

Mass gathering restrictions apply to all summer events: Hinshaw

Apr 23, 2020 | 4:03 PM

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says restrictions on mass gatherings apply to all summer festivals and events in the province.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw made the announcement during her daily media briefing on Thursday.

The restrictions in place prohibit gatherings of any more than 15 people, and people in smaller groups must stay at least two metres apart.

“I know summer festivals and events are incredibly important for many people, they provide fun and entertainment in every part of our province, and many people depend on them for livelihood,” Hinshaw acknowledged. “We have seen that festivals and large gatherings hold the potential to super spreader events where one sick person can expose many others to the virus, spreading COVID-19 across households, communities, and even large geographical distances.”

The Calgary Stampede and K-Days in Edmonton both cancelled their 2020 events on Thursday. An announcement regarding Westerner Days in Red Deer is expected soon.

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Alberta reported 319 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total to 3,720.

A total of 1,357 people have recovered from COVID-19. That represents 36.4% of the province’s cases thus far.

Two more people have died from the virus, both in the South zone in Brooks, for a total of 68.

The number of cases in the Central zone remains unchanged from Wednesday at 79. Same goes for Red Deer, which has seen 32 cases of the virus (one active, 31 recovered).

There has been a total of 117,404 tests completed.

In terms of hospitalizations across the province, 70 people are in hospital with 18 admitted to ICU.

Dr. Hinshaw says one of her biggest concerns are outbreaks at the Cargill meatpacking plant in High River where 448 people have tested positive, JBS in Brooks where 124 have tested positive, and in continuing care centres where 390 residents and employees have tested positive.