The Victoria Day weekend is one where we traditionally gather with family and friends or travel to the mountains to enjoy the spectacular scenery.  

However, this year, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw is imploring Albertans not to take the weekend off from public health restrictions and lose the "fragile momentum" that has been gained in recent days.  

During a recent briefing where she talked about the declining COVID-19 cases in the province, Hinshaw said while most Albertans are eager to get out and enjoy the first long weekend of spring,  she reminded everyone that, while we have seen a drop in the numbers, case counts and hospitalizations in the province remain extremely high.  

"We are gaining momentum, but it is fragile and we cannot afford to take this weekend off from following the rules.  That's why I'm asking all Albertans to have fun and stay safe this weekend.  Avoid in-person interactions with people outside your own household, especially indoors, and avoid non-essential travel wherever possible."

She says as the weather warms, and with summer just around the corner, we need to all do our part to keep the downward trend going.

"If we all stay vigilant and do out part just one more time this might be the last long weekend when such sacrifices are necessary."

Yesterday's COVID-19 count showed Alberta still has 17,675 active cases with 812 new ones for the day.  665 people remain in hospital, 177 in the ICU.  Four more Albertans passed away from the virus bringing that grim provincial total to 2,162 since the start of the pandemic.

Hinshaw finished her talk about the weekend with some final thoughts.  "Make this the safest long weekend ever.  Get vaccinated, stay safe and please keep following the rules"