Three Albertans have recovered from COVID-19 and there are currently 195 people who have been diagnosed with the virus in Alberta, an increase of 49 confirmed cases since Thursday.
On Friday afternoon, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced there are currently 10 hospitalizations. Five of those people are currently in the intensive care unit, which is three more than yesterday.
Of the three new people in the ICU, one person is in their 60s, one in their 70s and the third's age is unknown.
Hinshaw said every single case could end up in serious condition, which is why we need to take COVID-19 seriously.
There have been no additional deaths.
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In total, Hinshaw said they suspect 11 of the cases may be through community transmission.
“However, investigations are continuing and these numbers will likely change as more information becomes available.”
So far, only Calgary and Edmonton have confirmed cases of community transmission.
The latest update from Alberta Health Services puts the number of people in St. Albert who are confirmed to have COVID-19 at four, while the west Sturgeon County region has five.
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The majority of people contracting COVID-19 in Alberta caught it as a result of travelling or being exposed to someone who had travelled, and Hinshaw stressed the importance of self-isolating after getting home from a trip outside the country.
Hinshaw said medical students have been trained quickly to enhance their contact tracing capacity. Every new person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 is contacted and anyone who has been in contact with them when they are showing symptoms gets a phone call and instructions on what to do.
Hinshaw noted the province is running among the highest number of tests per capita in the world.
Hinshaw said AHS is working its hardest to get back to everyone with their test results and is prioritizing returning test results to those who tested positive.
Seniors restrictions
Seniors homes will now have new restrictions in place to keep the vulnerable population safe.
Previously friends, family and paid companions for seniors were able to enter seniors home but the province is now tighetening restrictions.
Hinshaw announced Friday that each senior will now only be allowed to have a single designated person who can visit the facility. That person must be screened and they must be checked in through a greeter or security person. There will be exemptions allowed if someone is dying, but at that time visitors will only be allowed in one at a time.
