Nineteen new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, one in South Zone

In total there are 5,979 recovered cases of COVID-19 in Alberta and 762 active cases. There were also three deaths, Hinshaw announced. There are currently 45 Albertans in hospital, five of which are in the ICU.

Protecting vulnerable Albertans will remain paramount despite the PPE distribution changes, Hinshaw said, and pre-emptively addressed any fear the province is running out of PPE.

“We are not,” she said. “As we continue to move forward with relaunch, it’s important to have a long-term plan.”

She said the plan will be flexible and the government will address emergencies as they arise and consider them on a case-by-case basis.

“Thanks to the procurement expertise and relationships we’ve built in Alberta, we’ve been able to meet the demand despite enormous pressure on global supply chains,” said the chief medical officer of health.

“Going forward we will continue to prioritize PPE for those at highest risk of exposure COVID-19. The province will continue to ensure publicly funded or contracted setting will receive PPE at no extra cost,” she said.

That includes Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health Care workers, first responders and those working in homeless shelters and publicly-funded or contracted seniors’ care facilities, she added.

Private organizations can still get PPE through the government until June 30 for a fair market price. After that they will have to get PPE from their own suppliers.

Hinshaw said the government didn’t make the decision lightly and that it is in line with other jurisdictions across Canada.

The province’s top doctor said she’s encouraged by the early success of the relaunch and the low numbers being recorded. But, she cautioned, the full impact of the relaunch may not have been seen yet and will continue to watch as Calgary and Brooks reopen.

“This should be taken by Albertans as a really excellent sign, and a sign of what we can accomplish together when we continue to follow public health measures,” she said.

Hinshaw also addressed the matter of a martial arts studio owner in Lethbridge who plans to open his facility in defiance of provincial health guidelines.

She said recognizes the financial concerns and frustrations but that we have to remain vigilant and the virus has not gone away.

“The fact we’ve been so successful is because of these measures we’ve taken together,” she said. “If collectively we stop taking these measures then my concern is the virus can spread and spread to people who are vulnerable to poor outcomes.”

June 19 remains the earliest date for moving to Stage 2 of the relaunch, but that they continue to monitor the data, Hinshaw said.

Her next in-person update will take place on Wednesday, but the online numbers will be updated Tuesday.

On May 11, the province began putting a more detailed chart online for each zone.

The County of Newell has 15 cases, two active and 13 recovered.

Cypress County is reporting 14 cases of COVID-19, six active and eight 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 27 cases, nine listed as active and 18 recovered. Lethbridge County has one recorded recovered case.

Read the full May 25 update from the province here.

by Chris Brown

Nineteen new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, one in South Zone

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