By Troy Gillard

WEDNESDAY UPDATE

Red Deer sees another COVID-19 recovery, active cases now 4

May 6, 2020 | 4:07 PM

Alberta is reporting 70 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 5,963.

In Red Deer, the number of COVID-19 cases remains 36, but there is an additional recovery reported. This means the number of active cases in the city is down to four, while recoveries have increased to 32.

The number of cases in the Central zone has increased by two for a total of 91.

The province is reporting six additional deaths from COVID-19 as of Wednesday, bringing the total to 112.

There have been a total of 3,552 recoveries in the province thus far.

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Central zone COVID-19 at a glance:
Red Deer 36 cases (4 active, 32 recovered)
Red Deer County 13 (2 active, 11 recovered)
Sylvan Lake 1 (active)
Lacombe County 3 (all recovered)
Lacombe 2 (both recovered)
Ponoka County 2 (both recovered)
Clearwater County 3 (1 active, 2 recovered)
Rocky Mountain House 2 (1 active, 1 recovered)
County of Stettler 3 (all recovered)

“We continue to do everything possible to protect the residents and staff at these facilities,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during her daily news conference.

Hinshaw said officials are closely monitoring the two other meat facilities in the province dealing with outbreaks – Cargill in High River and Harmony near Calgary. At Cargill there are 946 confirmed cases, 798 recovered. At Harmony there are 38 cases, 12 recovered.

She noted they are working with operators to contain the spread and making sure all public health measures are being enforced and taken seriously.

“We are also making sure to support workers to contain the spread in all settings, as a focus on just a single worksite will not stop an outbreak,” she added.

Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services and Occupational Health & Safety are both visiting each outbreak site regularly to make sure control measures are being implemented and provide ongoing advice and support.

All sites have implemented safety controls that meet the standard of AHS, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OH&S and Hinshaw’s own recommendations.

Measures include staff temperature and symptom checks before entering the facility, face masks and other personal protective equipment provided, enhanced handwashing practices staggered breaks and shift flexibility, and increasing distance between employees.

She said investigations are underway by Occupational Health & Safety and the results will be released when they are available.

Hinshaw encouraged anyone who feels their safety concerns are not being addressed by their employer to contact the OH&S safety worker.

“I know that Albertans want these outbreaks to be over immediately. If I had the power to do so I would make that happen,” she said. “Unfortunately this virus is like a forest fire. Once it has started to spread there are no simple or immediate ways to put it out.”

“It takes time and hard work and proven practices that slow the spread. We are making progress. We will win this fight.”

She ended her remarks by again urging Albertans to maintain physical distancing and proper handwashing in personal and work settings as Alberta prepares to relaunch its economy next week.

Asked about the relaunch, Hinshaw said all the statistics will be considered as she brings forth recommendations as the relaunch progresses.

Hinshaw said in general across the province we have flattened the curve.

“We can take the reduction in the number of new cases cautiously as good news” but that even a few cases can spread quickly if measures aren’t being followed.

(With file from Chris Brown, CHAT News Today)