Alberta reports 15 new deaths, more than 1,800 COVID-19 cases

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – The province has reported 1,887 new cases of COVID-19 since Sunday.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided the numbers during Alberta’s vaccine update Monday afternoon.

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Hinshaw also reported 716 people are in hospital with the virus with 136 in intensive care.

The province also saw 15 new deaths, bringing the provincial total to 734.

The 15 new deaths were recorded from Dec. 9 to 13, with eight from the Edmonton Zone, six from the Calgary Zone, and one from the North Zone.

Eleven of the deaths had additional health issues besides COVID-19.

Alberta has been leading the country in infection rates of late. Daily case counts have been well over 1,000 for almost a month.

Last week, Premier Jason Kenney announced tighter public-health restrictions to choke off many community contact points. Museums, gyms, hair salons, spas and casinos had to close as of Sunday. Retail businesses are limited to 15 per cent capacity, and restaurants and bars to takeout and delivery.

No indoor or outdoor gatherings are allowed, although people can ski, walk or do other fitness pursuits as long as they maintain physical distancing.

The new retail restrictions that took effect Sunday led to reports and photos on social media of packed parking lots and crowded shopping malls.

WATCH: New restrictions now limit malls to 15 per cent capacity

“Malls do need to comply with the 15 per cent capacity cap,” Hinshaw said. “That would include all those who were inside the mall, in both common areas and stores.”

She said officials will be following up with store and mall owners and noted that the province has increased the number of peace officers able to hand out health-violation tickets.

-With files from CityNews Edmonton and The Canadian Press