(Photo: CPAC live stream)

By Troy Gillard

FRIDAY UPDATE

All Albertans now eligible for COVID-19 testing: Hinshaw

May 29, 2020 | 3:55 PM

COVID-19 testing eligibility in Alberta is being expanded to include anyone in Alberta whether they have symptoms or not.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says that starting Friday, residents of Calgary can sign up to get a COVID-19 test. Asymptomatic testing will expand to the rest of the province on Monday, June 1.

“This will help provide data to further understand the impacts of moving to Stage 2 of Alberta’s relaunch strategy. Expanded testing will also help us to understand where there might be undetected positive cases, and therefore, prevent further spread of the virus,” Hinshaw said.

“Everybody who wants a test will be able to access one.”

Stage 2, tentatively scheduled to commence on June 19, will include the reopening of K-12 schools with restrictions, more scheduled surgeries, some larger gatherings, movie theatres, and personal services such as artificial tanning, esthetics, cosmetic skin and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, massage and reflexology.

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However, Hinshaw put the kibosh on organized sports in the near future saying they continue to, “present a high risk of transmission,” specifically mentioning sports such as soccer, football and martial arts. Though, she added, singles badminton, tennis or skateboarding are acceptable activities.

Hinshaw said Albertans are tired of the constant reminding of safety protocols, restrictions to day-to-day activities, but, “the trouble is the virus has not disappeared.”

The number of COVID-19 recoveries in Alberta has reached 6,218. There are now just 616 active cases in the province.

Fifty-five people are currently hospitalized in Alberta due to COVID-19, including four in intensive care.

Out of 3,754 new test results over the past 24 hours, 24 new cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed. Alberta has now seen 6,979 cases overall.

No new deaths from the virus were reported on Friday, leaving Alberta’s total at 143.

Hinshaw says several outbreaks have ended, including at Manoir du lac and the Horizon work camp.

250,000 COVID-19 tests have now been conducted in Alberta, which Dr. Hinshaw called a “remarkable achievement.”

The number of cases in the Central zone remains at 99, which includes just two active cases located in Red Deer and Red Deer County.

18,347 people in the Central zone have now been tested.

Red Deer region (Central zone) cases as of Wednesday:
City of Red Deer 37 (1 active, 36 recovered)
Red Deer County 16 (1 active, 15 recovered)
Sylvan Lake 3 (0 active, 3 recovered)
Lacombe County (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)

(With file from David Opinko and Alex McCuaig)