COVID-19 Weekly Regional Update
Michelle Pinon
News Advertiser
The total number of confirmed cases in Alberta now stands at 61,169. There are 43,464 recovered cases with 504 people in hospital and 97 people in intensive care with 561 deaths to date.
On the regional front, based on the local geographical location there are: 32 cases, 11 active cases, 21 recovered cases, and 0 deaths in Veg/Minburn County. There are 40 cases, 17 active cases, 22 recovered and 1 death. 31, 5, 26 and 0 deaths in Two Hills County. There are 31 cases, 5 active cases, 26 recovered cases and 0 deaths in Lamont County. In Tofield (Beaver County West) there are 46 cases, 20 active cases, 26 recovered cases and 0 deaths. In Viking (Beaver County East) there are 79 cases, 4 active cases, 75 recovered cases, and 0 deaths.
All of these counties are now under the watch/enhanced status:
Watch
- the province is monitoring the risk and discussing with local government(s) and other community leaders the possible need for additional health measures
- at least 10 active cases and more than 50 active cases per 100,000
Enhanced
- risk levels require enhanced public health measures to control the spread
- informed by local context
As reported by Alberta Health on December 2:
- There are 771 active and 2,596 recovered cases at long-term care facilities and supportive/home living sites.
- To date, 357 of the 561 reported deaths (64 per cent) have been in long-term care facilities or supportive/home living sites
- Currently, 397 schools, about 17 per cent, are on alert or have outbreaks, with 1,537 cases in total.
- Of those, 187 schools are on alert, with 305 total cases.
- Outbreaks are declared in 210 schools, including 96 on watch, with a total of 1,232 cases.
- So far, in-school transmission has likely occurred in 253 schools. Of these, 125 have had only one new case result.
On a positive note, the Province is preparing to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Premier Kenney previously stated the vaccinations are not mandatory for Albertans, however, they are recommended.
- A new task force has been appointed to prepare for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Several vaccines are undergoing review and awaiting approval by Health Canada.
- Immunization will proceed in phases, beginning in early 2021, once vaccines are received. Phase 1 will include Albertans most at-risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, as well as health-care workers and long-term and supportive living staff.