COVID-19 bacteria. (Alberta Health Services)

By David Opinko

Another 18 COVID cases confirmed in County of Warner Friday

Jul 3, 2020 | 3:49 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta has released its latest report on COVID-19 for Friday, July 3.

Across Alberta, 57 cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 8,259. Of those, 572 cases are still active while 7,532 have recovered.

Nearly half of the new infections were in the South Health Zone as the number rose by 25.

Of those, 18 were in the County of Warner. This is the second day in a row with a high number of cases in that area, which, up until last week, had been completely free of the virus.

Thursday’s update included 20 additional infections that were announced for the County.

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Several people have contacted us in recent days asking if the large number of cases in the County of Warner had any connection to Hutterite colonies or a specific set of funerals.

We reached out to Alberta Health Friday and got the following response:

“We are not releasing specifics about individual cases due to patient confidentiality. The recent cases identified in the area are all linked to known sources and stem largely from a small number of gatherings in large families or social groups.

“While any rise in cases is concerning, there is no increased risk to the general public at this time.

Alberta Health Services is watching this increase closely. Health officials are in close contact with all those impacted to limit spread and protect the public health. Contact tracing and testing is underway of anyone who may be at risk. All appropriate measures are being taken to protect the public health.

The funeral you’ve mentioned was a tragic event. It is possible that some COVID-19 exposure occurred at this funeral, and we are working on communication to all colonies in the Prairies to ensure heightened surveillance for COVID-19 symptoms and precautions to promote health safety. This is similar to what we have done with other communities and groups.

The few colonies with individual cases in Alberta are working closely with AHS and Alberta Health. We are not releasing specifics about locations in order to maintain patient confidentiality.

COVID-19 is still with us. We will continue to see new cases identified in the days and weeks ahead. The best thing that Albertans can do to protect themselves is to follow public health guidance we’ve provided.”

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

• Calgary zone – 5,384 cases, 218 active
  • 112 deaths
  • 179,151 tests
• South zone – 1,358 cases, 73 active
  • 11 deaths
  • 30,223 tests
• Edmonton zone – 1,088 cases, 240 active
  • 15 deaths
  • 132,703 tests
• North zone – 322 cases, 38 active
  • 16 deaths
  • 32,894 tests
• Central zone – 92 cases, three active
  • One death
  • 30,756 tests

As for the breakdown for the South Health Zone, the province recently changed the way they display information on the geospatial map, which is how we get the information. Due to this change, some of the local numbers may be off from what we have previously reported.

• Brooks – 1,119 cases, one active, nine deaths
• Medicine Hat – 46 cases (three new), nine active, one death
• Lethbridge – 43 cases, eight active
  • West Lethbridge – 20 cases, six active
  • South Lethbridge – 14 cases, zero active
  • North Lethbridge – nine cases, two active
• Cardston County – 42 cases (one new), three active, one death
• County of Warner – 39 cases (18 new), 39 active
• Cypress County – 28 cases (three new), seven active
• County of Newell – 20 cases, zero active
• M.D. of Taber – Eight cases, six active
• Fort Macleod – Seven cases, zero active
• Lethbridge County – Three cases, zero active
• County of Forty Mile – Two cases, zero active