By Sheldon Spackman

Thursday Update

Current health restrictions to continue for now

Jan 21, 2021 | 5:30 PM

Alberta is reporting 678 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total number of active cases in the province now to 10,256 – down 309 from yesterday.

With 14,060 tests completed over the past 24 hours, the province’s positivity rate currently sits at 4.8 per cent.

Since the start of the pandemic, 119,114 Albertans have contracted coronavirus, while 107,358 have recovered.

The number of Albertans in hospital with COVID-19 is presently 726 – down 18 from yesterday, while 119 are in ICU – down five from Wednesday.

Sadly, 16 more deaths have also been reported over the past 24 hours, bringing the virus’ death toll in our province to 1,500.

don't be fooled

Fake gold jewelry scam going around Red Deer, RCMP warn

1h ago

effective immediately

Lacombe County latest to implement fire restrictions

1h ago

Individuals aged 55 and over

Central Alberta Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project full report released

18h ago

One of those deaths has been attributed to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Central Zone, where a man in his 50s passed away from COVID-19 and other underlying health conditions on Jan. 17.

The number of active cases in Red Deer now sits at 173 – up seven from Wednesday, while recoveries stand at 1,553 – up 12 from yesterday. The number of deaths, however, remains unchanged at 17.

COVID-19 outbreaks currently in the city of Red Deer include Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, Etana Wells group home, Extendicare Michener Hill, a private group home, Points West Living, Revera Aspen Ridge, Kentwood Place, Olymel, Red Deer Remand Centre, Walmart (South Location), Wonderflow School House, and Montair Aviation in Springbrook.

Throughout central Alberta, Red Deer County has 38 active cases as of Thursday and one recorded death from COVID-19.

Sylvan Lake has 21 active cases and two recorded deaths from COVID-19.

Lacombe County has 21 active cases as of Thursday and one recorded death from the virus, while the city of Lacombe has 22 active cases and one recorded death from COVID-19.

Additionally, there are 89 active cases in Clearwater County (Rocky Mountain House), 279 active cases in Ponoka County and eight recorded deaths from the virus, 20 active cases in Mountain View County, while Olds has 12. Kneehill County remains with seven active cases and three deaths from the virus, while Stettler and County has five active cases and two recorded deaths as of Thursday.

For local schools, an Alert remains in place for Ecole John Wilson Elementary School in Innisfail with 2-4 cases currently.

Elsewhere, 182 schools, or about 7.5 per cent, are on alert or have outbreaks, with 282 cases in total.

• 178 schools are on alert, with 256 total cases.
• Outbreaks are declared in four schools, with a total of 26 cases.
• In-school transmission has likely occurred in 23 schools. Of these, 20 have had only one new case occur as a result.

Throughout the province, there are 3,962 active cases of COVID-19 in the Calgary Zone, 3,561 in the Edmonton Zone, 1,383 active cases in the North Zone, 931 in the Central Zone, 405 cases in the South Zone, and 14 additional active cases in unconfirmed locations.

Meantime, Albertans were told earlier this month that existing COVID-19 restrictions would remain in effect until “at least January 21.”

January 21 is now here, and the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health says we will have to wait a bit longer.

“As you can see from our numbers this week, our positivity rate, active cases, and hospitalizations are continuing to decline… we are on a positive trend,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Thursday. “Our numbers indicate that the restrictions we put in place last month, while extremely challenging, are helping to prevent more people from being exposed and getting sick with this virus.”

However, Dr. Hinshaw took a moment to give context to the hospitalization figures.

She says while they are trending downwards, the numbers are still higher than when COVID restrictions were first announced in December.

“We are not in the clear just yet. That is why no additional measures are being eased at this time. There are no changes being announced today. Our cases are falling but we still have the second-highest case rate per capita in Canada.”

Presently, there is no clear indication on when current public health measures may be relaxed.

A full list of COVID-19 restrictions in effect in Alberta can be found here.

(With files from David Opinko)