By Sheldon Spackman

hinshaw cites positive numbers

Central zone sees reduction in active COVID cases

Aug 4, 2020 | 5:16 PM

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says the dip in COVID-19 cases over the long weekend appears to show that people are following public health guidelines about physical distancing and wearing masks.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says Alberta’s case numbers have been below 100 for four days straight.

She says the downward trend began Friday with 97 new cases, followed by 67 new cases reported Saturday, 74 on Sunday and 65 on Monday.

Hinshaw said the data shows Albertans’ collective power to take on COVID-19 and limit its spread.

“Two weeks ago I called our numbers a wake-up call. Today we are starting to see the result of Albertans answering that challenge,” she said.

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Hinshaw noted that it’s difficult to pinpoint one specific reason for the decrease in new cases, but has received reports about fewer social gatherings and the working theory is that Albertans have been more closely following public health guidelines in recent days.

Bylaws requiring masks be worn in public places went into effect in both Edmonton and Calgary on Saturday.

Hinshaw said the choices Albertans make now will determine the situation in late August when school resumes.

“It is within our control to get cases as low as possible for the fall to support students returning to school and businesses that returning to work. Now is the time to make changes for your kids who want to be able to go back to school in the fall. Now is also the time to teach your children how to safely put on, wear and take off a mask.”

The province announced on Tuesday that masks will be mandatory for staff and most students when school returns in a few weeks.

The number of coronavirus cases identified in the province so far is 11,146 – including 1,191 cases that are currently active.

In total, 9,754 Albertans have now recovered from COVID-19.

There are 85 people in hospital, 23 of whom are in intensive care.

Hinshaw also reported five new deaths, bringing Alberta’s total to 201 since the pandemic began. Three of the five deaths were at the Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre in Edmonton.

There are 85 Albertans currently in hospital due to COVID-19, 23 of which are in ICU. There are a total of 201 deaths.

The province conducted 34,814 tests since Friday’s update.

In the Central Zone, there are 211 active cases as of Tuesday, a decrease of 43 from 254 in Friday’s report, and 267 recoveries, an increase of 59.

The Central Zone also recorded its third death from the virus since the onset of the pandemic.

In Red Deer, there are still 10 active cases, while the number of recoveries in the city is listed at 48.

There are now 12 active cases in Stettler County (decrease of 11), five in Red Deer County (decrease of one), two in Sylvan Lake (decrease of two), seven in Lacombe County, two in the city of Lacombe, currently no active cases in Ponoka County (decrease of two), two in Rocky Mountain House, zero in Sundre, one in Mountain View County, seven in Kneehill County (increase of two), and five in the County of Paintearth.

The map showing the location of all active cases in the province can be found here.

(With file from Chris Brown at CHAT News Today and The Canadian Press)