By Troy Gillard

Good news for the long weekend

Alberta increases outdoor gathering limit to 50 people

May 15, 2020 | 3:47 PM

The number of people allowed to gather in outdoor settings in Alberta has gone up just in time for the May Long Weekend.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during her daily briefing on Friday that the outdoor gathering limit is now 50 people, provided physical distancing of at least two metres is maintained.

“It is increasingly important that we all continue to take proper precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Hinshaw, “including frequent hand washing, always staying home when feeling ill and considering use of a non-medical mask while out in public.”

Dr. Hinshaw adds that those planning to host friends and family for a gathering in their yard, the amount of people should only be as much as the yard can hold, while maintaining physical distancing measures.

Sharing food and drink is still strongly discouraged, Hinshaw notes.

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Indoor gatherings are still limited to less than 15 people, except when otherwise identified in public health orders such as workplaces, places of worship, and in restaurants.

Alberta is reporting a total of 5,317 recoveries from COVID-19 as of Friday, an increase of 112 from Wednesday, while there are 1,073 active cases, a decrease of 58.

There are 63 people in Alberta hospitals for COVID-19-related reasons, three fewer than Thursday, including nine patients in intensive care.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta Chief Medical Office of Health, says that out of 4,505 new tests done over the past 24 hours, 58 came back positive. Alberta’s total number of COVID-19 cases is now listed at 6,515.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Central zone has risen by two to 99. One of the new cases is in Mountain View County.

In Red Deer, the number of cases remains 37, including two active cases and 35 recovered.

Central zone numbers as of Friday:

Red Deer 37 cases (2 active, 35 recovered)

Red Deer County 16 cases (4 active, 12 recovered)

Sylvan Lake 3 cases (2 active, 1 recovered)

Mountain View County 8 cases (2 active, 6 recovered)

Clearwater County 2 cases (2 recovered)

Rocky Mountain House 1 case (1 recovered)

Lacombe County 3 cases (3 recovered)

Lacombe 2 cases (2 recovered)

Ponoka County 3 cases (1 active, 2 recovered)

County of Stettler 3 cases (3 recovered)

Dr. Hinshaw announced Friday that starting next week she will be scaling back on the number of daily updates she provides. Hinshaw plans to deliver updates next Tuesday (19^th) and Thursday (21^st) and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday the week following. Situation reports will continue to be distributed daily.