Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Two deaths in Brooks confirmed to be the result of COVID-19, restrictions apply to all summer festivals

Apr 23, 2020 | 3:46 PM

BROOKS, AB – The Government of Alberta has released its latest report for COVID-19 infections in the province.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw confirmed an additional 319 cases Thursday, bringing the provincial total to 3,720.

She said her biggest concerns are the outbreaks at the Cargill meatpacking plant in High River where 448 people have tested positive, JBS in Brooks where 124 have tested positive, and in continuing care centres where 390 residents and employees have tested positive.

Dr. Hinshaw confirmed the first two deaths related to the virus in the South Health Zone. Both are in Brooks. To date, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 68 Albertans.

“My sincere condolences go out to everyone grieving the loss of a loved one today.”

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Across Alberta, 1,357 people have fully recovered and 117,404 have been tested.

She says mass gathering restrictions that prohibit gatherings of more than 15 people do apply to all summer events and festivals.

“We have seen that festivals and large gatherings hold the potential to super spreader events where one sick person can expose many others to the virus, spreading COVID-19 across households, communities, and even large geographical distances.”

The Calgary Stampede and Edmonton’s K-Day festivals were both announced today to be cancelled. More details here.

Dr. Hinshaw is “strongly advising” against Albertans going to their summer homes.

“While we are all eager for a relaunch and wanting to see an easing of restrictions, now is not the time to have people moving through the province and possibly, unknowingly, spreading the virus. Please continue to hold to the measures we need to take together to protect each other.”

The breakdown by regional health zone is as follows:

• Calgary zone – 2,633 cases, 42 deaths
  • 49,552 tests
• Edmonton zone – 454 cases, nine deaths
  • 35,271 tests
• South zone – 359 cases, two deaths (two new)
  • 6,107 tests
• North zone – 154 cases, 14 deaths
  • 9,106 tests
• Central zone – 80 cases, one death
  • 10,204 tests

The breakdown for the South health Zone is as follows:

• Brooks – 311 cases (54 new), two deaths
• Medicine Hat – 20 cases (one new), 11 recovered
• Lethbridge – 12 cases, eight recovered
  • West Lethbridge – seven cases, five recovered
  • South Lethbridge – five cases, three recovered
• Cypress County – eight cases, four recovered
• County of Newell – two cases (one new)
• M.D. of Taber – two cases, two recovered
• County of Forty Mile – two cases, two recovered
• Lethbridge County – one case