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May 26, 2020 provincial COVID-19 news

Alberta’s COVID-19 hospitalization rates remain low with 45 people in hospital, five of whom are in intensive care. In total, 6,048 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19. One more Albertan has died

Latest updates

  • 22 new cases bring the number of total active cases to 714.

  • Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:

  • Calgary zone: 561 active cases and 4,123 recovered

  • South zone: 80 active cases and 1,146 recovered

  • Edmonton zone: 49 active cases and 462 recovered

  • North zone: 19 active cases and 200 recovered

  • Central zone: three active cases and 95 recovered

  • Two active cases and 22 recovered cases in zones to be confirmed

  • Additional information, including case totals, is online.

  • To date, 632 cases have an unknown exposure.

  • So far, 221,173 Albertans have been tested and labs have performed 242,781 tests, with 2,982 tests completed in the last 24 hours.

  • Deaths total 139: 101 in the Calgary zone; 16 in the North zone; 13 in the Edmonton zone; eight in the South zone; and one in the Central zone.

  • There are 61 active cases and 649 recovered cases at continuing care facilities; 104 facility residents have died.


Legislature relaunch

  • Alberta MLAs will return to the legislature May 27 to address legislation aimed at economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • More information can be found online.


Supporting Alberta businesses through relaunch

  • Stage one of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy is underway.

  • The Alberta Biz Connect web page has health and safety guidelines for general workplaces, and sector-specific guidelines for those able to open in stage one of relaunch. Businesses are encouraged to check the page for new and updated guidance documents.

  • Businesses and locations can access a template on that web page to help them plan how to protect employees and patrons from infection.

  • Completion of this template is voluntary.


Next updates

  • The next media availability with the chief medical officer of health will be held on May 27.

  • Situation reports continue to be distributed daily.


Albertans downloading tracer app

  • The ABTraceTogether app will enhance current manual contact tracing and capacity, and facilitate early detection to help reduce the spread of the virus and better protect Albertans. 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 does not track the user’s physical location and does not use GPS. Protecting privacy is paramount; 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. More information on the app, including links to download it, can be found online.

  • The app currently has 192,969 registered users.


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 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.

  • The requirement that people fleeing family violence apply in-person for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) is temporarily suspended; provincial courts can now hear applications for EPOs via telecommunication.

  • 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 washing 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.

  • Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath, is eligible for testing. To access testing, complete 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.

  • 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 May 26, 2020 @ 4:45 PM

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