(Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Stage 1 of Alberta relaunch confirmed for Thursday, will be slower in Brooks & Calgary

May 13, 2020 | 3:57 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Some businesses will, in fact, be able to open on Thursday, May 14 after all.

As part of the Economic Relaunch Strategy announced April 30, Stage 1 was set to begin “as early as” May 14.

Premier Jason Kenney says, in most parts of the province, “the curve” for COVID-19 transmission has been flattened.

Modelling data released in late April projected that we would see hospitalizations peaking at 600 in mid-May while ICU admissions would peak at 190. Instead, hospitalizations have peaked at 96 and have fallen since.

Currently, 70 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, 11 of whom are in ICU.

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More than 5,000 people have recovered from the virus while just over 1,100 cases are still active.

“All of these numbers add up to a very successful stand against COVID-19 in Alberta.”

Kenney thanked healthcare officials and the public for doing their part in limiting the spread of COVID-19.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that, thanks to your efforts, we are proceeding with Stage 1 of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy.”

This means that, in every part of the province, retail businesses, museums and art galleries, and daycares will be able to resume operations.

(Government of Alberta)

A “gradual, regional approach” will be taken as the relaunch will look a little differently for two communities in particular.

The Cities of Calgary and Brooks have recorded approximately three-quarters of all COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations for the province.

It will take a little longer for these communities to ease COVID-19 restrictions than elsewhere in the province.

“No one should suggest that Calgary or Brooks are in any way unsafe.”

(Government of Alberta)

(Government of Alberta)

Restrictions on gatherings of 15+ people remain in effect as do all other social distancing measures.

Kenney says, if people continue to follow public health guidelines, Stages 2 and 3 of the relaunch will happen sooner rather than later. If the public largely ignores these measures, restrictions may have to be implemented once again.

Provincially, 62 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed Wednesday, bringing the total to 6,407. Of those, 1,211 are still active and 5,076 have fully recovered.

Two additional deaths were announced – one in the Calgary zone and one in Brooks – meaning the virus has claimed the lives of 120 Albertans to date.

The regional breakdown for COVID-19 by health authority for Wednesday, May 13 is as follows:

• Calgary zone – 4,375 cases, 990 active
  • 84 deaths (one new)
  • 50 in hospital, eight in ICU
  • 82,453 tests
• South zone – 1,170 cases, 117 active
  • Eight deaths (one new)
  • Seven in hospital, one in ICU
  • 14,775 tests
• Edmonton zone – 512 cases, 61 active
  • 12 deaths
  • Eight in hospital, two in ICU
  • 52,214 tests
• North zone – 227 cases, 21 active
  • 15 deaths
  • Five in hospital
  • 13,919 tests
• Central zone – 97 cases, 14 active
  • One death
  • 14,948 tests

The breakdown for the South Health Zone by community is as follows:

• Brooks – 1,068 cases (eight new), 94 active, seven deaths (one new)
• Medicine Hat – 34 cases, four active
• Lethbridge – 19 cases, five active
  • South Lethbridge – 10 cases, four active
  • West Lethbridge – Seven cases, zero active
  • North Lethbridge – Two cases, one active
• County of Newell – 13 cases, two active
• Cardston County – 10 cases, six active
• Cypress County – 10 cases, three active
• Fort Macleod – Four cases, three active
• Special Areas No. 2 – Two cases, zero active, one death
• M.D. of Taber – Two cases, zero active
• County of Forty Mile – Two cases, zero active
• Lethbridge County – One case, zero active