Medicine Hat down to one active COVID-19 case

On Friday, Aug. 21 the province identified 83 new cases and two deaths and the provincial lab completed 10,175 tests. On Saturday, Aug. 22 106 cases were identified, no new deaths were reported with 10,098 tests completed. On Sunday, 69 new cases and two deaths were detected with 8,849 tests completed.

Cypress County has totaled 31 cases – all recovered.

The County of Forty Mile has 20 total cases, all are now recovered.

The MD of Taber has 38 total cases — two active, 36 recovered.

Special Areas No. 2 has 13 total cases, all of which are recovered.

Brooks has 1,127 total cases —1,115 are recovered and three active. Brooks has recorded nine deaths.

The County of Newell has a total of 30 cases — three active, 26 recovered and one death.

The City of Lethbridge is reporting zero active cases.

Edmonton currently has 631 cases, the highest in the province.

Many of those are being linked to family gatherings including backyard BBQ’s, weddings, and funerals.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Health Officer says it can be challenging for hosts to ensure all health protocols are being followed.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw was able to share more on trends her team is seeing that contribute to virus numbers.

“The reasons are not new and there is no one single factor. Primarily we’re seeing growth in cases linked to gatherings. Weddings, funerals, family reunions, prayer meetings, informal gatherings of friends, backyard parties, and community groups.”

“There has been a particularly high attack rate in family gatherings,” Hinshaw added.

She says it is possible to hold a safe gathering.

“Keep gatherings small and meet outside rather than inside whenever possible. Asking someone to wash their hands or remind them to maintain two metres of distance is the most loving thing we can do for each other at the moment.”

Dr. Hinshaw also urges the host of a gathering big or small to keep a list of attendees for at least two weeks to help speed up contact tracing.

And if sending children to school, be extra vigilant when considering family gatherings with older relatives. She recommends moving to virtual visits as school starts up.

“When we let our guard down the virus has an opportunity,” Dr. Hinshaw added.

She also had a message for younger adults to keep the circle of friends small and to plan to get-togethers no more than once a week at most. And to also meet outside if possible.

She reminded again to stay home if you are feeling unwell – even just a bit under the weather.

“Be wise, wear a mask, and maintain distance,” Hinshaw says.

The figures on alberta.ca are “up-to-date as of end of day Aug. 24, 2020.”

by Chantal Wagner

Medicine Hat down to one active COVID-19 case

Our Community