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

By David Opinko

COVID-19 infections in Alberta surpass 4,000, reach 444 in South Health Zone

Apr 24, 2020 | 3:57 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta has released its latest update on COVID-19 cases in the province.

297 new cases were confirmed Friday, bringing the provincial total to 4,017.

1,397 people have fully recovered to date and 122,447 tests have been completed.

An additional five deaths have been announced as a result of the virus, meaning 72 Albertans have died to date.

On Thursday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced that mass gathering restrictions apply to all summer events and festivals. Since then, Lethbridge’s Whoop-Up Days, the Calgary Stampede, and Edmonton’s K-Days are among the festivals that have been canceled.

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She says she understands that many Albertans are frustrated by this and believes that is a valid concern, but at the same time, she says we cannot give up now and let the virus continue to spread.

“I know the curve shown in our modeling work may have left the impression that the virus will go away over the summer. That is not the case. The virus that causes COVID-19 will be with us for many months to come.”

Dr. Hinshaw claims there have been numerous instances where a single person attended an event and transmitted the virus to several others before they themselves began to show any symptoms.

“What I want to underline is that the kinds of social gatherings we are used to, even in the summer, can result in a significant spread of the virus from just one person who may not even know they are infected. The results can be explosive, far-reaching, and deadly.

“I hear every day of the things Albertans are giving up to fight COVID-19 and it does not seem fair to ask for more. Unfortunately, this virus does not respect our feelings.”

The breakdown by regional health zone is as follows:

• Calgary zone – 2,833 cases, 45 deaths (three new)
  • 51,963 tests
• Edmonton zone – 466 cases, 10 deaths (one new)
  • 36.280 tests
• South zone – 444 cases, two deaths (one of these deaths was not fully represented in yesterday’s data but was announced Thursday)
  • 6,463 tests
• North zone – 165 cases, 14 deaths
  • 9,393 tests
• Central zone – 82 cases, one death
  • 10,551 tests

The breakdown for the South Health Zone is as follows:

• Brooks – 389 cases (78 new), two deaths
• Medicine Hat – 23 cases (three new), 11 recovered
• Lethbridge – 12 cases, eight recovered
  • West Lethbridge – seven cases, five recovered
  • South Lethbridge – five cases, three recovered
• Cypress County – eight cases, five recovered
• County of Newell – four cases (two new)
• M.D. of Taber – two cases, two recovered
• County of Forty Mile – two cases, two recovered
• Lethbridge County – one case

Friday’s full COVID-19 press conference with Dr. Hinshaw can be watched below: