Brooks passes 1,000 COVID-19 cases

The South Zone’s total cases is 1,111.

There have been six more deaths in the province for a total of 112.

There are 82 people currently in hospital, 19 in the ICU.

There are 639 cases confirmed in continuing care facilities.

The chief medical officer of health said officials are closely monitoring the two other meat facilities in the province dealing with outbreaks – Cargill in High River and Harmony near Calgary. At Cargill there are 946 confirmed cases, 798 recovered. At Harmony there are 38 cases, 12 recovered.

Hinshaw said they are working with operators to contain the spread and making sure all public health measures are being enforced and taken seriously.

“We are also making sure to support workers to contain the spread in all settings, as a focus on just a single worksite will not stop an outbreak,” she added.

Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services and Occupational Health & Safety are both visiting each outbreak site regularly to make sure control measures are being implemented and provide ongoing advice and support.

All sites have implemented safety controls that meet the standard of AHS, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OH&S and Hinshaw’s own recommendations.

Measures include staff temperature and symptom checks before entering the facility, face masks and other personal protective equipment provided, enhanced handwashing practices staggered breaks and shift flexibility, and increasing distance between employees.

She said investigations are underway by Occupational Health & Safety and the results will be released when they are available.

Hinshaw encouraged anyone who feels their safety concerns are not being addressed by their employer to contact the OH&S safety worker.

“I know that Albertans want these outbreaks to be over immediately. If I had the power to do so I would make that happen,” she said. “Unfortunately this virus is like a forest fire. Once it has started to spread there are no simple or immediate ways to put it out.”

“It takes time and hard work and proven practices that slow the spread. We are making progress. We will win this fight.”

She ended her remarks by again urging Albertans to maintain physical distancing and proper handwashing in personal and work settings as Alberta prepares to relaunch its economy next week.

Asked about the relaunch, Hinshaw said all the statistics will be considered as she brings forth recommendations as the relaunch progresses.

Hinshaw said in general across the province we have flattened the curve.

“We can take the reduction in the number of new cases cautiously as good news” but that even a few cases can spread quickly if measures aren’t being followed.

The County of Newell has 11 cases, six active and five recovered.

In Cypress County, they are reporting nine cases of COVID-19, two active and seven recovered.

The County of Forty Mile and Municipal District of Taber each have two confirmed cases both listed as recovered.

Special Areas No. 2 has two confirmed cases, one active and one death.

The City of Lethbridge has 18 active cases, six listed as active and 12 recovered. Lethbridge County has one recorded recovered case.

Read the full May 6 update from the province here.

by Chris Brown

Brooks passes 1,000 COVID-19 cases

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