While case counts remain high in neighbouring municipalities, the number of active COVID-19 cases within the County of Barrhead has shrunk down to two.
In addition to the two active cases, 47 residents have recovered from the virus and there have been two deaths.
Just under a week ago on Jan. 15, there were four active cases, along with 45 recoveries and two deaths.
In Woodlands County to the west, there are currently four active cases of COVID-19. Along with two recoveries, there have been a total of six cases in the county.
It should be stressed this does not include the Town of Whitecourt, where there are 23 active cases, 98 recoveries and one death.
In Lac Ste. Anne County to the south, there are 67 active cases in addition to 318 recoveries and 10 deaths.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported on Wednesday that an additional 669 cases of COVID-19 have been identified throughout Alberta after conducting more than 14,900 tests. That equals a testing positivity rate of 4.5 per cent.
A total of 744 Albertans are in hospital due to COVID-19 while another 124 are in the ICU.
Hinshaw pointed out how the hospitalization rate illustrates the difference between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.
Over the last 10 years, an average of 1,500 Albertans are hospitalized annually due to influenza, while more than 5,000 Albertans have been hospitalized over the past 10 months due to COVID-19, she said.
A total of 21 new deaths were also reported over the past 24 hours. "After having a few days of lower numbers, I am sorry to have to report this increase today. Each number represent a person lost,” Hinshaw added.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
