In Alberta on Dec. 1, 1,307 new cases were identified from 15,816 tests, for a positivity rate of 8.4%.  

There are now 16,628 active cases in the province, and 42,305 total recoveries, after 1,123 people recovered. 

Right now, there are 479 people hospitalized with 97 of these in intensive care. This is 26 more hospitalizations and one more ICU admission than yesterday. 

Ten more COVID-related deaths were reported, for a total of 551.  

In the North Zone, 27 people are hospitalized, two more than yesterday, with two of these admitted to ICUs.  

In Grande Prairie, eight people recovered from the virus and one new case was found. There are now 70 active cases and 415 recoveries. In the County of Grande Prairie, two people recovered, for 150 total recoveries with 21 active cases. 

Big Lakes County and Northern Sunrise County and Mackenzie each added two new cases today, with three recoveries in Mackenzie as well. MD of Peace and MD of Lesser Slave River added six; the MD of Peace also reported one recovery. County of Northern lights and MD of Fairview each had one recovery. MD of Greenview had four recoveries with three new cases. Saddle Hills County had one case remove and has zero active cases. 

Peace Region totals: 

In her update today, Dr. Hinshaw says the decision is still to come from Cabinet on what restrictions will be in place during the Christmas week.  

She noted that we have holiday gatherings leading to a rise in cases and outbreaks. She says we are still feeling the effects of Thanksgiving. The higher the rate of transmission, the riskier these gatherings can be, and our transmission is higher than ever before. 

While we don’t know yet what the effects of the recently announced restrictions will be, Dr. Hinshaw urges Albertans to prepare for a much different holiday season.  

She says this is not the year for office parties, open house or big dinners with extended family and friends. She says larger gatherings will need to be virtual and reminds Albertans that gatherings with your own household are safest; we will still be limiting contact with others outside the household.  

“Of course, the options we will have for the upcoming holidays depend on what we all do right now. The actions we take now and over the coming weeks will determine how the virus is spreading when the holidays arrive.” 

Watch the full update here: