(The Canadian Press)

By Tiffany Goodwein

COVID-19 update: Province says ‘another milestone’ has been reached as hospitalizations dip below 500

May 29, 2021 | 4:44 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- The province said in a news release issued Saturday, that a new milestone has been reached with hospitalizations below 500.

Currently there are 478 in hospital with 140 in ICU.

The province said If the trend continues, Stage 2 could start on June 10, given that 60 percent of Albertans are now vaccinated.

“This decline in the number of people in hospital due to COVID-19 shows that Albertans’ efforts to stick to guidelines and to get vaccinated are paying off. As long as hospitalizations stay below 500, we will move into Stage 2 on June 10 and be one step closer to having an amazing and fully open Alberta summer,” premier Jason Kenney said.

Under the reopening plan, Stage 2 could see the following:

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• Outdoor social gatherings increase to 20 people, with distancing.
• Wedding ceremonies may occur with up to 20 attendees. Receptions are permitted outdoors only.
• Funeral ceremonies remain unchanged with up to 20 people permitted, not including facility staff, funeral clergy or organizers not considered guests. Receptions are permitted outdoors only.
• Restaurants may seat tables with up to six people, indoors or outdoors.
• Dining parties are no longer restricted to households only.
• Physical distancing and other restrictions still apply.
• Retail capacity increases to one-third of fire code occupancy (must maintain ability to distance).
  • Capacity for places of worship increases to one-third of fire code occupancy.
  • Gyms and other indoor fitness open for solo and drop-in activities with three-metre distancing between participants and fitness classes may resume with three-metre distancing.
• Indoor settings may open with up to one-third of fire code occupancy, including indoor recreation centres. This includes arenas, cinemas, theatres, museums, art galleries and libraries.
• Indoor and outdoor youth and adult sports resume with no restrictions.
• Youth activities, such as day camps and play centres, may resume, with restrictions.
• Personal and wellness services can resume walk-in services.
• Post-secondary institutions can resume in-person learning.
• The work-from-home order is lifted but still recommended.
• Outdoor fixed seating facilities (e.g., grandstands) can open with one-third seated capacity.
• Public outdoor gatherings increase to 150 people (e.g. concerts/festivals), with restrictions.
• Distancing and masking requirements remain in effect

Meantime, the province of Alberta has reported 406 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday. There are 8,474 active cases in the province, 518 are in the south zone.

Medicine Hat has 84 active cases, 1,108 recoveries and 22 deaths. A total of 53.7 per cent of eligible individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Cypress County has 31 active cases and 262 recoveries. A total of 44. 2 per cent of eligible individuals have received at least one dose.

The County of Forty Mile has one active case, 151 recoveries, and three recorded deaths. A total of 25.8 per cent of eligible individuals have received at least one dose.

The County of Newell has 25 active cases, 203 recoveries, and two recorded deaths. The vaccination rate for both the County of Newell and city of Brooks is 41.1 percent.

The City of Brooks has 35 active cases, 1,438 recoveries, and 15 recorded deaths.

The Municipal District of Taber has 19 active cases, 545 recoveries, and six recorded deaths.

Lethbridge County has 46 active cases, 1, 178 recoveries, and 12 recorded deaths.

The City of Lethbridge has 145 active cases, 4,611 recoveries, and 36 deaths.

Eight new deaths were confirmed by the province Saturday. A total of 2,214 people have died from COVID-19 in the province