Update 104: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (July 23 at 6:15 p.m.)
In total, 8,506 Albertans have now recovered from COVID-19. There are currently 106 people in hospital, 21 of whom are in intensive care.
Latest updates
114 additional cases have been identified in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,293.
Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
Calgary zone: 666 active cases and 5,406 recovered
South zone: 134 active cases and 1,406 recovered
Edmonton zone: 232 active cases and 1,190 recovered
North zone: 92 active cases and 366 recovered
Central zone: 161 active cases and 120 recovered
Eight active cases and 18 recovered cases in zones to be confirmed
Additional information, including case totals, is online.
To date, 1,368 cases have an unknown exposure.
There were 8,222 tests completed in the last 24 hours. So far, labs have performed 614,692 tests on 520,722 Albertans.
There are two new deaths to report.
Total number of deaths is 176: 115 in the Calgary zone; 29 in the Edmonton zone; 17 in the North zone; 14 in the South zone; and one in the Central zone.
There are 90 active cases and 772 recovered cases at continuing care facilities; 126 facility residents have died.
Continuing care
Effective today, Alberta has updated visitation guidelines in continuing care facilities to a safe access approach that will increase visitation options and continue to protect residents and staff.
Each facility is developing its own policy within these guidelines. Contact the facility you wish to visit for specific visitation details.
Return to the classroom
Students will return to daily learning in K-12 classrooms at the beginning of the school year.
Guidance under scenario 1 of the school re-entry plan will be in place, which includes near-normal operations with health measures.
Government has developed a re-entry tool kit to prepare parents and students.
Health officials will continue to closely monitor the situation and update the guidance for schools based on the best evidence available.
Misericordia Hospital
Edmonton’s Misericordia Hospital remains closed to new patients because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health continue to aggressively manage the outbreak. For updates, please visit covenanthealth.ca.
Access to justice
With court sittings relaunched provincewide, the Court of Queen’s Bench suspended the pandemic closure’s emergency/urgent hearing request process; requests now are directed to the court’s remote regular (morning) chambers.
The Court of Queen’s Bench will hold some short hearings in July and August for judge-alone criminal trials via WebEx video and in-person, in courtrooms with COVID precautions.
The Court of Queen’s Bench and provincial court are increasing in-person hearings. Everyone entering an Alberta courthouse must wear a face mask.
Alberta has launched a recovery plan to create jobs, accelerate economic diversification and ensure a strong future for our economy.
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 228,486 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.
