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COVID-19. (Alberta Health Services)
"everyone in the province should take note"

Province announces voluntary restrictions in Edmonton as COVID cases surge

Oct 8, 2020 | 3:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Alberta Health Services has released Wednesday’s report on COVID-19, detailing the numbers over the past 24 hours.

364 cases were confirmed across the province, bringing the total to 19,718. Of those, 2,097 cases are active and 17,338.

276 of the new infections were in the Edmonton Zone and 50 were in the Calgary Zone.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says thousands of cases have been identified in the Edmonton Zone in the last couple of weeks, which impacts every part of the region.

As a result, she announced three voluntary measures for the Edmonton Zone that are meant to limit the spread of COVID-19.

  • Family and social gatherings should be limited to no more than 15 people
    • This does not impact places like schools, theatres, and places of worship assuming organizers are ensuring all COVID-19 guidance is closely followed
  • Face masks should be worn in all indoor workspaces unless you are separated in a private office, in a cubicle, or by another appropriate barrier
  • People should not have more than three cohorts. This could include a work cohort, a family cohort, and a sport cohort
    • Young children in childcare settings can be part of four cohorts

Dr. Hinshaw says hospitals in Edmonton have the capacity to meet the needs of patients, but they are moving forward with these measures to ensure things do not get worse.

“These measures are not being taken lightly but are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from continuing to escalate.”

“While these voluntary measures are focused on the Edmonton Zone, everyone in the province should take note. We should all take precautions to limit the virus’ spread to our friends, family, and loved ones.”

She is urging people to not organize large gatherings over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

“Now is not the time to be gathering in large groups, travelling long distances for the holiday, or sharing food or utensils with people outside your cohort.”

In the South Zone, 13 people tested positive with six each in West Lethbridge and Lethbridge County as well as one in Medicine Hat.

Two people in the Calgary Zone died from COVID-19, meaning the virus has claimed the lives of 283 people in the province.

Provincially, 77 patients are currently hospitalized and 13 have been admitted to intensive care units.

1,472,658 tests have been completed among 1,095,515 different people.

The regional breakdown for COVID-19 in Alberta is as follows:

  • Calgary zone – 9,303 cases, 604 active
    • 132 deaths (two new)
    • 32 in hospital, six in ICU
  • Edmonton zone – 6,240 cases, 1,251 active
    • 83 deaths
    • 35 in hospital, six in ICU
  • South zone – 1,913 cases, 92 active
    • 26 deaths
    • One in hospital, one in ICU
  • North zone – 1,506 cases, 97 active
    • 35 deaths
    • Seven in hospital
  • Central zone – 706 cases, 39 active
    • Seven deaths
    • One in hospital

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

  • Brooks – 1,132 cases, three active, nine deaths
  • Lethbridge – 216 cases (six new), 44 active, two deaths
    • West Lethbridge – 90 cases (six new), 18 active, one death
    • South Lethbridge – 75 cases, 15 active
    • North Lethbridge – 51 cases, 11 active, one death
  • Cardston County – 106 cases, three active, five deaths
  • Lethbridge County – 86 cases (six new), 33 active
  • Medicine Hat – 84 cases (one new), three active, two deaths
  • County of Warner – 63 cases, zero active, one death
  • M.D. of Taber – 44 cases, one active
  • County of Forty Mile – 40 cases, three active
  • Cypress County – 33 cases, one active
  • Fort Macleod – 33 cases, zero active, three deaths
  • County of Newell – 33 cases, one active, two deaths
  • M.D. of Pincher Creek – 27 cases, zero active, two deaths
  • Crowsnest Pass – Two cases, zero active