By Chris Brown

111 new cases in Alberta

Small concerts back on the table, Medicine Hat still with three active cases of COVID-19

Sep 11, 2020 | 3:47 PM

Albertans can raise their voice in song and a small bit of celebration this weekend. Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced on Friday that vocal and wind instrument concerts can resume in Alberta.

Public health guidelines in the early days of the pandemic placed severe limits on them, as evidence indicated they may pose unique risks of transmitting COVID-19.

“We have seen emerging evidence that these activities can be done safely if rigorous and proper precautions are in place,” said the province’s chief medical officer of health.

She said updated guidelines are now posted online that allow limited band practices, singing and wind instrument concerts to occur provided distancing, enhanced cleaning and other precautions are implemented.

“The arts play an important role and in schools and in our emotional well-being and the restrictions have been hard for many,” said Hinshaw.

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Choirs may begin again with maximum size limits and masking while singing. Audience singing is still not allowed and congregational singing in faith settings is still discouraged.

Hinshaw stressed that gathering limits have not changed and dance floors are still not allowed, “as we cannot safely mitigate the risk of exposure with these activities.”

There are 29 schools in the province when cases attended while infectious, and 32 cases are linked to these schools.

There remains three schools – Calgary’s Henry Wise High School and St. Wilfred Elementary School and Chinook High School in Lethbridge – with outbreaks.

Medicine Hat continues to hold at a total of 72 cases of COVID-19 The city numbers remain at three active cases, 67 recovered and there have been two deaths.

The province confirmed 111 new cases on Friday.

The province now has 1,444 active cases, down 50 from Thursday, and 13,718 recovered cases, up 161.

There are currently 43 Albertans in hospital, six in ICU. There remains a total of 253 deaths. One previously announced death was removed from the count was removed as it was determined to not be a death resulting from COVID-19.

The province conducted 11,979 tests in the past 24 hours.

In the South Zone, there are 1,777 total cases. There are 38 active cases and 1,714 recovered. There are currently no COVID-19 cases in hospital in the South Zone and the zone total remains at 25 deaths.

Cypress County has totaled 31 cases – all recovered.

The County of Forty Mile has 25 total cases, four active cases and the rest recovered.

The MD of Taber has 39 total cases — all recovered.

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

Brooks has 1,128 total cases —1,117 are recovered and two are active. Brooks has recorded nine deaths.

The County of Newell has a total of 32 cases — 30 recovered and there have been two deaths.

The County of Warner has 62 total cases. Of those, three are active, 58 are recovered cases and there has been one death in the county.

The City of Lethbridge has a total of 166 cases. There are 11 active cases, 153 recovered and there have been two deaths. Lethbridge County has 42 cases, 10 active cases and the rest recovered.

The figures on alberta.ca are “up-to-date as of end of day Sept. 10, 2020.”

You can read the full Sept. 11 update from the province here.

Saskatchewan reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, none in the South Zones.

Saskatchewan has a total of 1,676 cases, 66 considered active. There are 1,598 recovered cases and there have been 24 COVID-19 deaths in the province.