COVID-19 Weekly Regional Update
Michelle Pinon
News Advertiser
As of July 6, Alberta Health was reporting 8,389 total cases (130 new cases). There are 607 active cases and 7,627 recovered cases. Fifty-seven people are in hospital with six of those in intensive care. There have been 155 deaths. A total of 487,915 tests have been completed.
Out of the five zones in the province, the central zone, which includes Vegreville/Minburn County, Two Hills County, Lamont County, and Beaver County, has the least amount of reported cases, (92 cases).
In Vegreville/Minburn County there was 1 case, 0 active cases, 1 recovered cases, and no deaths. In Two Hills County, there were 0 cases, 0 active cases, 0 recovered cases, and no deaths. In Lamont County, there was 1 case, 0 active cases, 1 recovered case, 0 deaths. In Beaver County, there were 4 cases, 1 active case, 3 recovered cases, and 0 deaths. In Tofield, there were 4 cases, 1 active case, 3 recovered cases, and 0 deaths. In Viking, there were 0 cases, 0 active cases, 0 recovered cases, and 0 deaths.
The COVID-19 info for Albertans’ website is encouraging Albertans to wear non-medical masks in public when it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing of two metres at all times. “Wearing a homemade or non-medical mask in public is another tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It hasn’t been proven that masks protect the person wearing it, but it can help protect people from being exposed to your germs. Masks should complement, not replace, other prevention measures. Continue physical distancing and good hand hygiene, and stay home when sick.”
People are advised to use the mask when it’s difficult to maintain two metres distance from people for a prolonged period of time: public transit and airlines, grocery stores and pharmacies, hair salons and barbershops, and some retail stores.
People are advised not to use a mask if it’s dirty or damaged in any way if it gaps or doesn’t fit well, if it’s been used by another person, children under two years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, and when you are only with people from your own household.
