County of Barrhead sees surge in local COVID-19 cases

There are currently more active cases of COVID-19 within the County of Barrhead than there have been at any one time since the start of the pandemic. 

The geospatial map that lists COVID-19 cases within municipalities across Alberta now states there are 16 active cases within the county. 

Historically, 54 residents of the Town and County of Barrhead have recovered from the virus while two have died, which adds up to a total of 72 cases. 

That number almost certainly includes the six cases that were identified last week at Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) and Barrhead Elementary School (BES). 

It is unknown if additional cases have been identified at the two schools, but the province now indicates there is an alert (two to four cases) at BES and an outbreak (five to nine cases) at BCHS. 

The map further lists Westlock County as having eight active cases of COVID-19. With 176 recoveries and two deaths, that adds up to a total of 186 cases. 

Finally, Athabasca County currently has three active cases, including one case that was recently identified at Edwin Parr Composite School. In addition, the county has seen 194 recoveries and one death. 

Provincially, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported on Wednesday that an additional 692 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Alberta, including 202 cases linked to the more infectious COVID-19 variants. 

A total of 285 Albertans are in hospital due to COVID-19, including 53 in intensive care. 

Notably, when Minister of Health Tyler Shandro announced on Monday that Alberta would not be entering Step 3 of the re-opening plan, there were a total of 280 hospitalizations. 

The rationale for not advancing to Step 3 was that Alberta would soon be over the threshold of 300 hospitalizations needed to ease restrictions. 

An additional two deaths had been reported over the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 1,973. 

There are currently alerts or outbreaks at 363 schools throughout the province. Hinshaw reported that school cases add up to a combined total of 1,050. 

She said there is no single factor prompting the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, as new cases are being spurred by symptomatic individuals going to work, indoor gatherings and other incidents. 

Nevertheless, she said this is a reminder of the need to remain vigilant and to follow public health guidelines around masking, social distancing and staying at home when feeling ill.

Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com