By Chris Brown

86 new cases, 5,800 tests

Hinshaw says COVID-19 cases in under-40 age group is concerning

Jul 14, 2020 | 3:58 PM

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says she is worried pandemic fatigue may be setting in and people are starting to tune the messages out.

That comes as COVID-19 cases have begun to rise over the past few days, and are being found more frequently those under the age of 40.

“Over the past two weeks, 780 new cases have been identified in the province, with 57 per cent of these cases being under the age of 40. Of these, 30 per cent have not yet been linked to any known source,” Hinshaw said.

She added those numbers are a “reminder that COVID-19 can spread quickly and cases can rise rapidly if we don’t all do our part.”

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Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said the best way to defeat the virus has not changed.

“Stay two metres apart when you can and wear a mask when you can’t. Wash or sanitize your hands. Stay home if you are sick and get tested.”

There were 86 new cases confirmed in Alberta in the past 24 hours. The province now has confirmed 8,912 total cases throughout the pandemic. There are currently 701 active cases and 8,048 Albertans have recovered.

There are currently 55 Albertans in hospital, 13 of which are in ICU. Hinshaw announced two more deaths for a total of 163.

The province completed 5,800 tests in the past 24 hours.

There was no change to cases in Medicine Hat. The city remains at a total of 51 cases — 41 considered recovered, nine active and there has been one death.

Hinshaw also said it’s critical to respect the limits of cohorts — a maximum of 15 people outside of your household for family members and friends and up to 50 people for sport cohorts and performers.

Limiting overcrowding in public spaces and social gatherings will be key

“That’s how we will keep our families and communities safe,” she said. “By following the guidance, not by discriminating against fellow Albertans who are also doing their best to follow public health measures.”

Hinshaw said she has heard members of the Sisksika First Nation have been denied access to some businesses due to recent cases reported in that community. She added previously Albertans of Chinese and other ethnic groups and some religious groups have also been singled out or discriminated against.

Siksika leadership acted quickly, transparently and proactively and that when the response to that is stigma it sends a message against transparency and risks discouraging people from being tested or co-operating with public health.

“The members of the Siksika First Nation deserve better than that,” said Hinshaw. “Anyone who contracts the virus deserves our compassion and support to work with public health that is the only way we can control the spread of this virus.”

The South Zone has a total of 1,431 cases —1,315 recovered and 104 active. There are four people in the zone in hospital and there have been 12 deaths.

Cypress County has 30 total cases — 27 recovered cases and three active ones.

The County of Forty Mile has two active cases and five recovered.

The MD of Taber has 15 total cases, six active and nine recovered.

Special Areas No. 2 has two active cases.

There have been 1,121 total cases in Brooks —1,109 are recovered and three active. Brooks has recorded nine deaths. The County of Newell is showing one active case and 20 recovered.

The County of Warner has 44 total cases, 36 active, seven recovered and one death.

The City of Lethbridge has a total of 59 cases. Of those, 16 are listed as active and 43 recovered. Lethbridge County has 12 cases, six active cases and six recovered.

The figures on alberta.ca are “up-to-date as of end of day July 13, 2020.”

Read the full July 14 update from the province here.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw will provide her next in-person update on July 16.