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96 new COVID-19 cases in Alberta, including two in South Health Zone

Apr 2, 2020 | 3:52 PM

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

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says 96 new cases were confirmed Thursday, bringing the total now to 968.

As Premier Jason Kenney stated Wednesday, Alberta’s provincial testing facilities are now back up to full capacity, so officials are able to tackle a backlog of tests.

Two new deaths have been reported in the province as a result of COVID-19. This includes a man in his 90’s in the Calgary Health Zone and a man in his 80’s in the North Health Zone.

To date, 13 Albertans have died from COVID-19.

Dr. Hinshaw reports that more than 4,000 tests were completed in the last 24 hours. Approximately 98 per cent came back negative.

108 of the cases are believed to be as a result of community transmission, rising by 14 from the previous report.

174 people have fully recovered, which is an increase of 32 from yesterday.

Another two patients in the South Health Zone have contracted the virus, bringing the total for the region to 14 cases. The two new cases are in South Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

The regional breakdown is as follows:

  • Medicine Hat – six cases
  • South Lethbridge – three cases
  • West Lethbridge – three cases
  • M.D. of Taber – two cases

Provincially, the number of cases are:

  • Calgary Zone – 589 cases (seven deaths)
    • 22,753 tests
  • Edmonton Zone – 247 cases (three deaths)
    • 19,800 tests
  • Central Zone – 59 cases
    • 5,436 tests
  • North Zone – 55 cases (three deaths)
    • 4,880 tests
  • South Zone – 14 cases
    • 2,721 tests
  • Unknown – five cases
    • 1,507 tests

The full press conference with Dr. Hinshaw can be watched below: