Update 99: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (June 30 at 6:15 p.m.)
In total, 7,407 Albertans have now recovered from COVID-19. Hospitalization rates remain low with 41 people in hospital, nine of whom are in intensive care.
Latest updates
41 additional cases bring the number of total active cases to 547.
Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
Calgary zone: 232 active cases and 5,008 recovered
South zone: 28 active cases and 1,271 recovered
Edmonton zone: 246 active cases and 767 recovered
North zone: 36 active cases and 260 recovered
Central zone: four active cases and 88 recovered
One active case and 13 recovered cases in zones to be confirmed
Additional information, including case totals, is online.
To date, 789 cases have an unknown exposure.
So far, labs have performed 449,451 tests on 395,713 Albertans, with 7,198 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
There are no new deaths to report.
Total number of deaths is 154: 112 in the Calgary zone; 16 in the North zone; 15 in the Edmonton zone; 10 in the South zone; and one in the Central zone.
There are 21 active cases and 733 recovered cases at continuing care facilities; 117 facility residents have died.
Expanded outdoor gatherings
Up to 200 people can now attend audience-type community outdoor events, such as festivals, fireworks displays, rodeos and sporting events, and outdoor performances.
All public health measures, including physical distancing, remain in place. Seated outdoor events will still require the necessary space between families and cohorts within stadium-style seating.
The 100-person limit remains in place for other outdoor events and indoor seated/audience events.
The limit for indoor social gatherings, including wedding and funeral receptions and birthday parties, remains at 50 people maximum.
Daily case updates
There will be no COVID-19 update on Canada Day. The online case numbers will be updated on July 2.
Daily case numbers will now be updated every weekday and paused on holidays and weekends.
Weekend and holiday case numbers will be reported the next available business day.
Daily breakdowns of the data will continue to keep Albertans fully informed. Government will alert Albertans if urgent developments occur on a weekend.
Alberta’s recovery plan
Alberta has launched a recovery plan to create jobs, accelerate economic diversification and ensure a strong future for our economy.
A limited number of community pharmacies have begun to offer testing to Albertans without symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19, making it easier to access testing and help stop the spread. This is in addition to the robust COVID-19 testing already offered by Alberta Health Services.
There are currently 20 pharmacies offering testing. Additional pharmacies are planning to offer testing in the coming weeks.
People should call their pharmacy to find out if it offers testing, and to book a test. Anyone who wants to get tested can continue to book an appointment online with the AHS assessment tool.
Access to justice
The Provincial Court of Alberta has released Part 2 of its staged plan for resuming in-person proceedings at some courthouses. Circuit courts remain closed. Details: https://albertacourts.ca/pc/resources/announcements
The Court of Queen’s Bench has extended the cap on email, fax and filing fees until Sept. 30. Details are at the link above.
Supporting Alberta businesses through relaunch
The Alberta Biz Connect web page has health and safety guidelines for general workplaces and specific industry sectors. Businesses are encouraged to check for new and updated guidance documents.
A template on the website can help businesses plan how to protect employees and patrons from infection. Completing the template is voluntary.
Albertans downloading tracer app
The ABTraceTogether app enhances manual contact tracing and capacity, and facilitates early detection. It means Albertans will be contacted more quickly if they are at risk.
Use of the app is voluntary; users must opt in. The app currently has 219,146 registered users.
Privacy is protected. The app does not track a user’s physical location or use GPS. All contact data is only on the user’s phone and is deleted after 21 days.
Secure contact tracing is a cornerstone of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy.
Mental health supports
Confidential supports are available to help with mental health concerns. The Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Canadian Mental Health Association has resources at mentalhealthweek.ca.
The Kids Help Phone is available 24-7 and offers professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people by texting CONNECT to 686868.
Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.
Family violence prevention
A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line at 310-1818 provides anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
People fleeing family violence can call local police or the nearest RCMP detachment to apply for an Emergency Protection Order. The requirement for in-person applications is temporarily suspended.
Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are at alberta.ca/COVID19.
Quick facts
Good hygiene is the most important measure to prevent respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, and dispose of tissues appropriately.
Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness they have experienced in their community during this difficult time by using the hashtag #AlbertaCares.
The Alberta Connects Contact Centre (310-4455) is available to Albertans Monday to Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
