(file photo/CHAT News Today)

By Tiffany Goodwein

COVID-19 : Eighty-two new cases in the province, four additional deaths reported

Apr 12, 2020 | 6:01 PM

EDMONTON – A total of eighty-two new cases have been detected in the province in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 1,651, according to data released by the province.

In Medicine Hat, the numbers remain unchanged from yesterday at 11 confirmed cases, with seven of those considered active, and four recovered/.

The province also announced four new deaths within the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 44 in Alberta.

Cases of COVID-19 exist in all zones across the province.

• 1,046 cases in the Calgary zone
  • 395 cases in the Edmonton zone
  • 103 cases in the North zone
  • 72 cases in the Central zone
  • 31 cases in the South zone
  • Four cases in zones yet to be confirmed
• Of these cases, there are currently 44 people in hospital, 14 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
• 237 cases are suspected of being community acquired.
• Two of the latest deaths were residents of the McKenzie Towne continuing care facility in Calgary zone, bringing the total number of deaths at this facility to 20. Two were residents at Manoir du Lac in North zone, bringing the total number of deaths at this facility to four.
• With these recent deaths, a total of 30 people have died in the Calgary zone. Seven people have died in the Edmonton zone, six people have died in the North zone, and one person has died in the Central zone.
• Stronger outbreak measures have been put in place at continuing care facilities. To date, 183 cases have been confirmed at these facilities.
• There have been 74,709 people tested for COVID-19 and a total of 77,316 tests performed by the lab. There were 2,038 tests completed in the last 24 hours.

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New measures are set to take effect to prevent the spread at long-term care and continuing care facilities. Effective April 15, continuing care workers will be required to wear masks at all times when providing direct patient care or working in patient care areas. Workers in long-term care and designated supportive living sites will only be allowed to work at one location starting April 16. This requirement must be fully implemented no later than April 23.

Expanded testing

The province has expanded access to COVID-19 laboratory testing centres to help trace the spread of the virus in hard-hit areas and regions where vulnerable people reside.

People who are 65 or older or residents living with someone 65 or older, those in the Calgary zone, and essential workers whose workplaces are open to the public are now eligible for testing if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. Some symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, and shortness of breath.