ATHABASCA-BARRHEAD-WESTLOCK - Two more people in Barrhead and Westlock have died of COVID-19, according to the geospatial map that lists coronavirus cases in municipalities across Alberta.
At 4 p.m. Sept. 17, the County of Barrhead was listed as having 62 active cases and four deaths, while Westlock County had 58 active cases and four deaths.
The day before, both municipalities were listed as having three COVID-related deaths.
Athabasca County is listed as having 39 active cases and three deaths, though those fatalities occurred prior to this week.
According to the Government of Alberta’s Twitter account, an additional 2,020 cases of COVID-19 were identified over the past 24 hours, along with 18 new deaths.
The number of active cases now stands at 19,201 active cases. A total of 911 Albertans are in hospital with 215 in the ICU.
On the positive side, the province reported Friday afternoon that 80 per cent of eligible Albertans have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 72 per cent have been fully immunized with both doses.
“Thank you to not only every Albertan who has stepped up and got vaccinated, but who have booked doses,” said premier Jason Kenney, in a release.
“We’ve seen a rush in bookings in recent days, and every dose will help bend down the curve and protect our health-care system.”
Starting Sept. 20, the Restrictions Exemption Program comes into effect across Alberta. Businesses will have to choose either to limit the number of customers to one-third capacity or put certain requirements on customers.
Namely, customers will either have to provide government-issued proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result from the last 72 hours.
Businesses do not have to apply to be part of the program, but the province will be carrying out audits and checks to ensure they are in compliance.
Also, even if businesses are part of the program, compulsory masking orders are in effect.
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