COVID cases continue to rise in Athabasca region

ATHABASCA - The Athabasca region now has 22 active COVID-19 cases, three more than two days ago, the last time the number increased.

There was also an additional recovery, bringing that number to 19, and bringing all cases since March to 41. The active case rate per 100,000 residents in the three municipalities — Athabasca County, Town of Athabasca and Village of Boyle — now sits at 166.7, with a population of 13,196.

Numbers in Boyle, which are included in the overall stats, rose from 10 to 14 active cases, with seven recoveries and 21 total cases. Boyle is a separate geographical area on the Government of Alberta's geospatial map, but whether the new cases are in the village proper or the surrounding area in Athabasca County is not reported by the province. The Boyle area is also bordered to the southeast by Smoky Lake County which currently hosts 54 active cases, and an active case rate per 100,000 of 641.3.

Over in Westlock County, the number of active cases dropped to nine, after spiking in early to mid-November, but the rate remains above the 50 per 100,000 threshold, so the area remains under enhanced conditions.

The County of Barrhead reports four active cases, out of 30 total cases. The case rate there is at 39.5.

To the north of Athabasca County, the M.D. of Opportunity has 12 active cases and 55 recoveries, while the Hamlet of Lac La Biche reports 36 active cases and 16 recoveries, to the east.

A public health emergency was declared by Alberta premier Jason Kenney Tuesday, Nov. 24, which introduced a list of new mandatory measures regarding social gatherings, schooling and masks in workplaces, among others. The Town of Athabasca and Athabasca County's temporary face-covering bylaws are still in effect for public spaces.

While there was no public briefing Saturday, Alberta's chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported 1,731 new cases in Alberta, another record, bringing the active total to 14,931. There were five more deaths over the previous 24 hours, bringing that total 524; 415 others are in hospital, and 88 of those are in intensive care.

Via Twitter, Hinshaw's account posted: "This is the first weekend with the new enhanced measures restricting social gatherings and businesses in effect. It’ll take 10-14 days to really start seeing the impact of these new measures. We must all do our part to reduce the spread. Please take these mandatory restrictions seriously. And of course, continue to follow all other public health guidance: wash your hands, stay home when sick and practice physical distancing. Let’s all do our part to help bend the curve."