By Troy Gillard

Wednesday update

COVID-19 cases hold steady in Red Deer, Central Zone

Apr 29, 2020 | 4:01 PM

Based on 5025 new test results, Alberta is reporting 315 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday for a total of 5165.

There have now been 1953 recoveries among the province’s confirmed cases.

Seven additional virus-related deaths are reported for a total of 87. All of the latest deaths are from long-term care facilities.

In the Central zone, the number of COVID-19 cases remains 84, same as was reported Tuesday. The number of cases in Red Deer also held steady at 35, including five active.

A look at COVID-19 cases across the Central zone as of April 29:

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Red Deer 35 (5 active)
Red Deer County 13 (2 active)
Sylvan Lake 1 (active)
Lacombe 2 (0 active)
Lacombe County 3 (0 active)
County of Stettler 3 (0 active)
Clearwater County 2 (1 active)
Ponoka County 2 (1 active)

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical health officer, said there have now been 276 cases confirmed among employees and contractors at the JBS meatpacking facility in Brooks. There have been 821 workers confirmed at the Cargill meatpacking plant in High River.

“We have taken every outbreak seriously,” said Hinshaw, adding they are using the fundamental outbreak control principles to limit spreads.

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said the province has continually refined its strategy to respond to new outbreaks.

The outbreak strategy relies on prevention and preparedness, rapid response and outbreak management.

Hinshaw said she’s heard that the preventive measures in place have had a negative impact on the quality of life for those in continuing care facilities. She said both are important and “as we learn to live with COVID, we need to make adjustments.”

With that in mind, Hinshaw announced new public health orders that amend existing directives for continuing care facilities and aim to improve both outbreak control and quality of life.

As of now, anyone with mild symptoms such as a hoarse voice or muscle aches must immediately be tested for COVID-19 and isolated until results come back. As well, residents in the same unit as a positive test case must now be tested.

Staff caring for infected patients are now required to wear eye protection, as well as standard personal protective equipment.

Another new order announced by Hinshaw allows residents not in isolation to enjoy outdoor visits with a designated essential visitor and one other person.

“These are important to the mental health of residents and families,” she said.

Latest updates:

• Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
– 3,520 cases in the Calgary zone
– 833 cases in the South zone
– 489 cases in the Edmonton zone
– 205 cases in the North zone
– 84 cases in the Central zone
– 34 cases in zones yet to be confirmed

• Of these cases, there are currently 86 people in hospital, 22 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).

• 580 cases are suspected of being community acquired.

• The total deaths are 87: 57 in the Calgary zone; 14 in the North zone; 11 in the Edmonton zone; four in the South zone; and one in the Central zone.

• To date, 503 cases have been confirmed at continuing care facilities, and 59 residents at these facilities have died.

• There have been 136,511 people tested for COVID-19 and a total of 143,886 tests performed by the lab. In the last 24 hours, 5,205 tests have been completed.

(With file from Chris Brown, CHAT News Today)