In today’s COVID-19 update, Dr. Hinshaw reported 6862 recoveries in the province and 440 active cases. 

There are 31 people in the hospital with COVID-19, with seven of these in intensive care. There has been one new death, for a provincial total of 151.  

Alberta has now processed over 343,000 tests. Of the 3462 tests in the last 24 hours, 20 new cases were identified. 

There has been no change in local numbers. The City of Grande Prairie has three active cases and 15 recoveries. The County of Grande Prairie has seven recoveries and no active cases. 

Dr. Hinshaw addressed those who may be wondering when we will stop identifying new cases. She notes that the as we do more testing, more cases will be found, which is positive as it gives us a good picture of cases in the province and helps us to respond swiftly.  

More cases will be identified as we move into stage two, Dr. Hinshaw says, since people are going out more. She assures Albertans that our health care system is still well prepared, and our hospitalization rates are still well within capacity. 

Dr. Hinshaw reminds Albertans that no event, community, or region is immune to COVID-19 and we need to continue to be vigilant and protect one another by following public health orders. She urges Albertans to continue to think of those more vulnerable who have not been able to go back to normal as we open more in stage two. We should think of how we can help them. This is a marathon, she says, and we are not yet near the end.

In today’s update, Health Minister Tyler Shandro also announced that the state of public health emergency in Alberta has expired. He says that issuing the state of emergency played a small but vital role in our fight against COVID-19. One way is it gave Alberta Health additional authority to work in airports and continuing care homes. 

He noted that while the state of emergency is lapsing, it does not change any public health orders in effect or prevent any additional measures in place that may be needed.  

Shandro says that further legislation will be coming this week to help the government in the fight.  

Watch the full update here: