Province announces 860 new cases of COVID-19, 10 deaths

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – COVID-19 cases continue to rise around Alberta, as the provincial government announced new restrictions on Thursday.

There were 860 additional cases detected in the past 24 hours, as well as ten deaths.

Six of the deaths are in the Calgary zone, with three of those linked to continuing care. Six of the deaths being announced province-wide were linked to continuing care, including three at a single facility in Edmonton.

This increases the death toll to 393 since the pandemic began.

There are now 225 people in hospital and 51 in the ICU, with overall active cases at 8,305.

“We are at a dangerous juncture in our province,” Premier Jason Kenney said.

Kenney announces a series of targeted measures to help reduce the spread of the virus. A temporary stop is being implemented for group fitness (this is a two-week pause). This does not include outside sports or individual exercise

— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) November 12, 2020

“The growing number of hospitalizations and ICU admissions are challenging our ability to continue delivering non-urgent health services that Albertans depend on.”

The premier compared the current situation to what the province saw in the spring saying daily case numbers, hospitalizations and ICU admissions are now more than double what they were back then.

When looking at all the rural zones combined, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the province has crossed the threshold of 5 per cent average daily hospitalization growth over two weeks.

As of Thursday, the province is sitting at 7 per cent average daily growth in the rural zone over the past two weeks.

Hinshaw added the 70 ICU beds allocated for COVID-19 has reached 73 per cent capacity.

“We must reduce the growth of COVID-19 and we must do it soon,” Hinshaw said.

UPDATE: The premiers office tells me he has tested negative for COVID-19. Jason Kenney will remain in isolation until November 23rd

— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) November 13, 2020

Premier Jason Kenney joined Thursday’s update in isolation at his home in Calgary after being in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.

The premier’s office later confirmed he tested negative for the virus but will remain in isolation until Nov. 23.

This is the second time the premier has had to isolate from being in close contact with a confirmed case.