August 4, 2020 provincial COVID-19 news (video)
- Aug 4, 2020
- 4 min read
In total, 9,754 Albertans have now recovered from COVID-19. There are 85 people in hospital, 23 of whom are in intensive care.
Latest updates
65 additional cases have been identified in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,191.
These cases are in addition to 97 identified on July 31, 67 identified on Aug. 1, and 74 identified on Aug. 2.
Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
Calgary zone: 475 active cases and 6,022 recovered
South zone: 110 active cases and 1,545 recovered
Edmonton zone: 275 active cases and 1,427 recovered
North zone: 115 active cases and 472 recovered
Central zone: 211 active cases and 267 recovered
Five active cases and 21 recovered cases in zones to be confirmed
Additional information, including case totals, is online.
To date, 1,763 cases have an unknown exposure.
There were 34,814 tests completed in the last 96 hours. This includes a record of 11,501 tests completed on July 31.
Alberta labs have now performed 720,131 tests on 596,714 Albertans.
There are five new deaths to report in the last 96 hours.
Total number of deaths is 201: 114 in the Calgary zone; 50 in the Edmonton zone; 17 in the North zone; 17 in the South zone; and three in the Central zone.
There are 61 active cases and 865 recovered cases at continuing care facilities; 146 facility residents have died.
School health measures now include mandatory masks
Students will return to daily learning in K-12 classrooms at the beginning of the school year under near-normal operations with health measures in place.
Mask use for Grade 4 to 12 students, and all school staff, will be mandatory in all settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained when school returns for the 2020-21 year.
More than 1.6 million reusable masks will be distributed, two each to 740,000 students and 90,000 staff in public, separate, Francophone, charter and independent schools. Additional single-use masks will be available at schools, if required.
A re-entry tool kit can help prepare parents and students.
Health officials will monitor and update the guidance for schools based on the best evidence.
Expanded asymptomatic testing in pharmacies
People with no symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to contact a participating pharmacy to arrange for testing.
Risk assessment tool
A new online risk assessment tool helps people identify if they are at high risk of having a severe outcome. The tool also provides information on how to mitigate that risk.
Misericordia Hospital
Edmonton’s Misericordia Hospital remains closed to new patients because of a COVID-19 outbreak. For updates, please visit covenanthealth.ca.
Access to justice
The Court of Queen’s Bench has announced new email filing procedures and will no longer accept filings by fax.
Traffic court
Albertans are reminded to not attend a courthouse in person for any traffic trial scheduled up to and including Sept. 4.
Instead, visit the Provincial Court of Alberta website for details on rescheduling.
Alberta’s Recovery Plan
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. The app currently has 233,794 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.
Addiction and 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.
Provincial Press Release August 4, 2020 4:25 pm
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