By Sheldon Spackman

Tuesday Update

Central zone adds two new active COVID-19 cases

Aug 18, 2020 | 4:32 PM

Alberta is reporting 89 new cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, bringing the province’s total to 12,419.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw explained that Monday’s update contained erroneous reported of 74 cases that resulted from a data system upgrade over the weekend.

“Our teams have now had time to do the rigorous investigation of these 74 cases and have identified that these were duplicate reports generated by the data system upgrade. As a result, Friday’s new cases stand at 103, rather than 177 as was reported yesterday,” the province’s chief medical officer of health said. “I apologize to Albertans for this error and any confusion or anxiety it may have caused,.”

The number of active cases in the province is up by 37 to 1,169. Recoveries now stand at 11,025.

The province completed 8,027 COVID-19 tests on Monday, with 837,649 tests now completed and the number of people tested at 677,754.

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There are currently 48 Albertans in hospital for the virus, including 11 in intensive case.

One more death has been reported, bringing Alberta’s fatality count from the virus to 225.

The central zone now has 87 active cases, an increase of two, and 470 recoveries which is unchanged.

Red Deer remains with 14 active cases of COVID-19, with the number of recoveries in the city still listed at 60.

Red Deer County has one active case as does the city of Lacombe, Lacombe County has four, up one from the previous day, Mountain View County has one, Kneehill County has two and the County of Stettler has six.

The map showing the location of each of Alberta’s COVID-19 cases can be found here.

Hinshaw said more cases are likely to be confirmed related to the “It Is Time Canada” religious gathering that took place in Deadwood, Alta. over the August long weekend.

“This is a good reminder that identified cases often are the outcome of activities that happened several weeks before. The gathering resulted in 15 lab confirmed cases in Alberta and 17 in British Columbia so far,” said Hinshaw, adding an estimated 200-300 people attended the gathering.

Health authorities in both provinces are undertaking rigorous contact tracing, said Hinshaw.

She added that there are 15 confirmed cases linked to in-person services linked to the Bible Pentecostal Church in Edmonton, despite precautions that were taken.

She said both instances are reminders of the dangers presented by large gatherings and asked people not to stigmatize those involved as it may result in a reluctance to be tested.

“All of us have to follow all measures tenaciously, even if we are tired of washing our hands, wearing a mask and not being able to hug the people we care about,” Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw also announced on Tuesday that the province is expanding COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic Albertans.

Albertans showing no symptoms of COVID-19 will now be able to access timely testing in their community by booking asymptomatic test appointments at Shoppers Drug Mart and pharmacies in stores owned by Loblaws.

Officials noted that more than 50 Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw pharmacies in Real Canadian Superstore locations are already offering asymptomatic testing, and by Sept. 1, all 234 of the company’s pharmacies in Alberta (including pharmacies at Independent Foods, Extra Foods, City Market, and No Frills) will offer asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.

This is in addition to province-wide testing offered via AHS assessment centres and about 75 other community pharmacies that already offer tests. Additional community pharmacies are encouraged to register voluntarily to offer asymptomatic testing.

“Testing is a powerful tool that helps us limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect people from infection,” said Hinshaw. “Expanded testing capacity will support additional testing opportunities for all Albertans, including school teachers and staff. This will provide a baseline for school re-entry and enhance access throughout the school year.”

To support school re-entry, Albertans without symptoms are asked to delay testing until after the 2020-21 school year starts on Sept.1.

All Albertans are also reminded that continued adherence to public health measures – including physical distancing, masking and hand hygiene – remain critical to the reduction of spread of COVID-19 in the province.

(With file from Chris Brown – CHAT News Today)