Two new COVID cases within Athabasca County

ATHABASCA - Active cases of coronavirus within the borders of Athabasca County rose slightly today, up to four, including one in Boyle.

That brings the total number of cases reported in the county since the beginning of the pandemic in March to 19 — all have recovered.

The county has been relatively unscathed by COVID-19 in the last two weeks, while active cases in neighbouring rural municipalities in Westlock, Smoky Lake and M.D. of Opportunity have spiked. Westlock town council implemented a mandatory face-covering bylaw that came into effect Oct. 28, while Town of Barrhead councillors passed a similar bylaw the same week, but chose not to enact it at this time.

Town of Athabasca and Athabasca County councillors will both see newly drafted bylaws Nov. 17 — the county, at a special meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m., before the public works committee meeting, and the town at its 6 p.m. regular county meeting.

In addition to additional measures in Edmonton and Calgary, which account for 83 per cent of the province's active cases, the Government of Alberta also put forward new measures today to help reduce the spread of the virus across the province, affecting mostly regions that are under an enhanced watch status — including Westlock County.

“We must reduce the spread of COVID-19. In addition to these measures, I am asking all Albertans to look at our lives and reduce our social and close contact interactions wherever we can. If we can connect virtually or through other means, we need to make that change. By working together, we can protect each other, reduce the spread and protect our health system,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health.

“We must take action at this critical point to contain the rapid growth of COVID-19 in our province," said premier Jason Kenney, who also noted he was self-isolating after close contact with a potential carrier last Monday. "Through our actions, we can support the health-care system, keep schools open, protect vulnerable Albertans and keep the economy operating throughout the province. This is our chance. If Albertans respond to these and other public health guidelines now, we won’t need more restrictive measures in the future.”

Hinshaw also reported an additional 860 active cases, bringing the total number in the province to 8,305; along with 10 more deaths, bringing that number to 393.