By Troy Gillard

FRIDAY UPDATE

Alberta confirms seven new COVID-19 cases

Jun 5, 2020 | 3:45 PM

It’s the lowest single-day increase since the early onset of the pandemic.

Out of 6,624 new test results, Alberta confirmed just seven new cases of COVID-19 on Friday for a total of 7,098.

“Today’s numbers mark an occasion to be celebrated,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw while delivering the update. “Not only are we reporting the highest number of tests done in 24 hours in the province, we also have the lowest number of new cases since March 12.”

To date, 6,624 Albertans have recovered from the novel coronavirus, with 328 active cases. Of those, 44 people are in hospital with six of them in ICU.

No new deaths were reported Friday as Alberta’s total remains 146.

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In the Central zone, the number of confirmed cases actually fell by one, from 98 to 97. There are no active cases in the zone.

The change in reporting comes in Sylvan Lake where the number of confirmed cases has been revised from three to two.

Red Deer region case numbers as of Friday:

City of Red Deer 37 (0 active, 37 recovered)

Red Deer County 15 (0 active, 15 recovered)

Sylvan Lake 2 (0 active, 2 recovered) REVISED

Innisfail 1 (0 active, 1 recovered)

Lacombe County 3 (0 active, 3 recovered)

City of Lacombe 2 (0 active, 2 recovered)

Ponoka County 3 (0 active, 3 recovered)

Clearwater County 2 (0 active, 2 recovered)

County of Stettler 2 (0 active, 2 recovered)

Mountain View County 9 (0 active, 9 recovered)

In her update, Hinshaw also said that Alberta Health Services will release updated visitation guidelines for visitation of patients in acute out-patient and in-patient settings.

“These revised guidelines expand the allowance of some visitation while maintaining specific criteria intended to protect patients, residents, volunteers and staff,” she said, adding the updated guidelines will be on the AHS webpage.

Hinshaw was clear these revised guidelines are only for hospital settings and the existing standards and rules for continuing care remain in effect. She adds she’ll be seeking input from residents, families and operators on the safety in continuing care settings to see if adjustments can be made.

The doctor said that officials are monitoring mass protests and other expanded activities around the province for any potential spikes in numbers.

She added a risk from any activity is assessed based on the distance attendees can keep from each other, the wearing of masks and people not attending if sick.

“But finally it really does depend on how much virus is circulating in the community,” she said. “As I mentioned earlier we have seen a reduction in our case counts .. but it’s always a concern when you have many, many people gathered.”

Hinshaw said the basic prevention measures — proper hand hygiene, staying home when ill, staying two metres apart when out and wearing a mask if that’s not possible — must be continued as the province moves into Stage 2 of its relaunch.

She said strategic and widespread testing will be important as the relaunch progresses and is one of two main objectives. Ensuring Albertans are protecting each other is the other.

“Our success in protecting Albertans who are at the highest risk of severe outcomes rests on our collective action to keep our numbers low in our communities,” Hinshaw said.

She said discussions are taking place regarding the date that Stage 2 of the relaunch will begin and a decision is to be made next week. Stage 2 is currently set to begin on June 19.

(With file from Chris Brown)