In Alberta today, 1021 new cases of COVID-19 were identified from about 15,000 tests, for a positivity rate of 7.2%.

There are now 18,311 active cases in the province, with 73,298 recoveries. This is an increase of 1,864 recoveries since yesterday.

Right now, 802 people are in the hospital with COVID-19, with 152 of these in intensive care. This is an increase of seven hospitalizations and one ICU admission. In the North Zone, 34 people are hospitalized with five in intensive care.

Eleven more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 871 since the start of the pandemic.

In Grande Prairie, 14 new cases were identified and 11 people recovered from the virus. The City has 128 active cases and 568 total recoveries. An outbreak was declared at Mackenzie Place Continuing Care Centre, which Alberta health says has three active cases are connected to. The outbreak was opened on Dec. 14.

In the County of Grande Prairie, six new cases were added and one person recovered. There are now 24 active cases and 191 total recoveries.

Peace Region totals:

Today Alberta announced a couple of changes to the public health restrictions over the holidays for those who live alone.

From Dec. 23 to Dec. 28, people who live alone will be allowed to attend one event at another households. Households may host up to people who live alone for one event. This number does not include minors. Restrictions on other social gatherings still remain.

Premier Kenney says this is a small change based on the advice of the Health Minister, with input from Dr. Hinshaw, and was decided by the COVID cabinet committee which just met today.

Kenney says that progress has been made over last two weeks, and that we still have long way to go, meaning we need to keep working.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced a few additional exemptions to the current health restrictions.

One of these is allowing massage therapy services to resume for patients who have a prescription from a physician or referral from another health professional. Private counselling services are now also allowed. The last allowance is for end-of-life visits at home for a family member, friend, faith leader or other person.

Watch the full update here: