No new COVID-19 cases in Brooks or Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat remains at 34 cases, six now active and 28 recovered. That’s an increase of two recovered cases.

There are a total of 1,162 cases in the South Zone, an increase of just three.

Across Alberta about 77 per cent of cases have recovered. There are 4,866 recovered cases and 1,361 active.

As the province begins to reopen on Thursday, Hinshaw said it’s a two-way street.

“Customers and business operators are both responsible for being safe and using common sense,” she said.

“As we move into our relaunch, I encourage all Albertans to help re-enforce these new social norms with each other. Once we reopen, we ant to stay open. And we want businesses to be successful and Albertans to stay safe.”

Hinshaw also touched on the idea of cohort. She said she understands the desire but that “limiting the number of people you come in close contact with is the best way to limit the possibility of spread.”

“Expanding your cohort to a very small group of people can work, but you need to follow all guidance and ensure that everyone is committed to only being a cohort with each other.”

As for whether groups of friends can gather at a bar or restaurant for a drink this weekend, Hinshaw said people should still remain at least two metres away from anyone not in your household or cohort.

“We continue to advise that when you’re closer than two metres to someone, especially sharing food or drink, that puts you at risk of transmitting the virus.”

She also reiterated that proper handwashing, physical distancing and other measures in order to make the relaunch successful.

The chief medical officer of health acknowledged the Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services teams who are working tirelessly on the response to the virus.

“Their efforts have been vital to our ability to prevent spread of this virus and address immediate concerns in outbreak situations,” she said.

She added the work of primary cares and newcomer organizations has been wide-ranging and incredibly important and they are “providing essential on-the-ground public health guidance to operators and employers.”

Hinshaw gave more information about the workplace guidance documents released on Tuesday.

“These guidelines are applicable to all settings, whether it is a shopping mall, retail business or a specific sector,” she said. “Businesses can work through these guidelines and make decisions about how to apply the guidance to their specific setting.”

More specific guidelines will continue to be drafted on a sector-specific basis.

There are currently 73 people in hospital with COVID-19, 12 of those in ICU.

There is one more death in the province, for a total of 118.

Among previously known outbreaks, there are 25 active cases at High River’s Cargill facility and 920 recovered, and the Harmony plant has 12 active cases and 28 recovered.

There are 105 active cases at continuing care facilities in Alberta and 557 recovered cases.

The province has begun putting a more detailed chart online for each zone.

The County of Newell has 13 cases, two active and 11 recovered.

In Cypress County, they are reporting 10 cases of COVID-19, three 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 recovered and one death.

The City of Lethbridge has 19 active cases, seven listed as active and 12 recovered. Lethbridge County has one recorded recovered case.

Read the full May 12 update from the province here.

by Chris Brown

No new COVID-19 cases in Brooks or Medicine Hat

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