In Alberta today (Dec. 7) 1,735 new cases of COVID-19 were reported from more than 20,000 tests, for a positivity rate of 8.5%. 

There are now more than 20,000 active cases in the province, along with 49,603 recoveries. Since yesterday, 1,136 more recoveries were reported. 

Currently, 609 people are hospitalized with the virus, with 108 of these in intensive care. This is an increase of eight hospitalizations and eight ICU admissions since yesterday. In the North Zone, there are three more hospitalizations than yesterday at 29, with one less ICU admission at 5. 

Today, 16 more deaths were reported for a total of 631 since the start of the pandemic.  

In Grande Prairie, 18 new cases have been added, with three people recovering. Active cases are back up to 96, with 446 total recoveries and five total deaths. In the County of Grande Prairie, one person recovered for 19 active cases and 164 recoveries.  

Big Lakes County added one new case, Mackenzie County and Northern Sunrise County added three and MD of Lesser Slave River added two. MD of Greenview had one new case and two people recover. MD of Peace also had one new case and one recovery.  

Peace Region totals: 

Dr. Hinshaw says that the steadily rising cases continue to be extremely troubling and asks Albertans to think about the numbers as they make daily decisions. She says that any small bending of the rules or one-time family get togethers have the power to undo a lot of hard work in just a few minutes 

Dr. Hinshaw says that so far, we are not bending the curve back. We are still seeing high transmission that is putting a tremendous strain on our hospitals and long-term care facilities. 

She says that things would have been worse without the recent measures put in place, but that more is going to need to be done. Dr. Hinshaw says that her team is working on a new set of recommendations of public health measures they will present to Cabinet. There is not a date yet when this will happen. 

Watch the full update here: