Confirmed recovered cases now number 1,397 and 297 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported, bringing the total number to 4,017. Five more Albertans have died.
Latest updates
Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
2,833 cases in the Calgary zone
466 cases in the Edmonton zone
444 cases in the South zone
165 cases in the North zone
82 cases in the Central zone
27 cases in zones yet to be confirmed
Of these cases, there are currently 76 people in hospital, 18 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
350 cases are suspected of being community acquired.
The total deaths are 72: 45 in the Calgary zone; 14 in the North zone; 10 in the Edmonton zone; one in the Central zone; and two in the South zone.
To date, 399 cases have been confirmed at continuing care facilities, and 47 residents at these facilities have died.
There have been 116,859 people tested for COVID-19 and a total of 122,447 tests performed by the lab. In the last 24 hours, 4,612 tests have been completed.
Locations of all active outbreaks in acute care and continuing care facilities are posted at alberta.ca/covid-19-alberta-data.aspx and will be updated every Tuesday and Friday.
Commercial rent assistance
Alberta joins the provinces, territories and federal government in a program to help small business pay rent.
Access to justice
The Provincial Court of Alberta will permit remote applications, including out-of-custody guilty pleas.
More information can be found at: https://www.albertacourts.ca/pc/resources/covid
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 are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.
Family violence prevention
The government is committed to supporting our most vulnerable and at-risk people, including those fleeing family violence. The requirement for in-person Emergency Protection Order (EPO) applications has been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provincial courts can now hear applications for EPOs via telecommunication. Some applicants may still be asked to appear in person. This change aligns with physical distancing guidelines set out by public health officials to keep people safe and healthy during this public health crisis.
The ministerial order can be viewed at open.alberta.ca/publications/ministerial-order-2020-11-community-and-social-services.
A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line is available at 310-1818 to get 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.
Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are available at alberta.ca/COVID19.
Quick facts
The most important measure Albertans can take to prevent respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, is to practise good hygiene.
This includes cleaning your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve, and disposing of tissues appropriately.
Any individual exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath, is eligible for testing. People can access testing by completing the COVID-19 self-assessment online. A separate self-assessment tool is available for health-care and shelter workers, enforcement and first responders. After completing the form, there is no need to call 811.
Support is available to increase staffing of health-care aides and alleviate pressures in contracted continuing care facilities. Read the news release here.
All Albertans need to work together to overcome COVID-19. Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness they have experienced in their community during this difficult time by using the hashtag #AlbertaCares.
Provincial Press Release April 24, 2020 @ 4:00 PM
Comments