Today Alberta is reporting 47 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 1,524 active. 4,659 people have recovered. The total overall is 6,300.  

There have been two new deaths, both at continuing care facilities. One of these in Calgary and the other at the JB Wood care centre in High Prairie. This is the third death there. Today two deaths were re-classified as non-COVID related, so the total remains at 117. 

One of the deaths reported over the weekend was a worker at the Cargill facility, the second in a Cargill worker. There are 36 active cases in Cargill workers and 911 recovered. 

There are 102 active cases in outbreaks at continuing care centres and 542 recovered.  

One new case has been identified at the Calgary Remand Centre that is not related to the case reported last week. There is no evidence of transmission within the facility. 

Dr. Hinshaw says that although we are seeing new outbreaks that are pockets of infection that need to be dealt with, much of the province has been effective at flattening the curve.  

We are seeing lower cases numbers and fewer hospitalizations. Much has changed since March and will be different for a long time. We are practicing physical distancing and frequent hand-washing, and these will be even more important habits as we leave our homes more often. Enhanced protective measures have also been put in place for our most vulnerable 

“We have also enhanced our lab capacity and our ability to trace contacts and contain outbreaks. With this capacity, even though we will continue to see some cases of COVID-19 in our communities we have the testing capacity and contact tracing ability to quickly identify new cases and prevent further spread much more promptly than we could at the start of this pandemic. 

Dr. Hinshaw says that we will relaunch cautiously, but we must do it “for our collective health and well-being. 

“To make this work, we will need to do this together. It will take all of our efforts to continue to keep our infection rate low and prevent a surge in cases that would require us to restrict movement and businesses again. 

“Those businesses that will be allowed to re-open in stage one will be subject to strict guidance to prevent infection to staff and the public. 

“As I have said, we are not going back to the way things were. We cannot go back; we must go forward. But we are moving forward in a manner that will allow us to continue taking steps towards some idea of normalcy in the future.” 

Watch the full update here: