WESTLOCK — A fourth person in Westlock has tested positive for COVID-19.
This is currently the only active case of coronavirus in the community, according to Government of Alberta data.
Across the province, cases are rising—especially in the Edmonton zone. Westlock is no exception. Cases in the community remained stable for four months, until a Town of Westlock employee tested positive two weeks ago. The person infected was asymptomatic and contracted the virus outside of the community, according to Alberta Health Services.
The employee’s last shift at the Rotary Spirit Centre before testing positive was Aug. 1. The facility was allowed to reopen as of Aug. 17.
With no mask-wearing regulations coming from the province, some communities are passing their own. In Edmonton, where active cases now sit at 593—that’s a rate of active cases per 100,000 people of well over 50, compared to Calgary’s rate of 20—councillors decided to make masks mandatory in all indoor spaces and on public transit starting Aug. 1.
Calgary was the first major community in the province to pass mask legislation.
Locally, town councillors didn't pass a face covering bylaw Aug. 10. During the council meeting, mayor Ralph Leriger said it would be very difficult to enforce it with only one peace officer.
They’ll continue their public information campaign, and might change their minds if cases spike dramatically in Westlock.
Federally, the Canadian government’s modeling indicates that it’s likely there will be a spike in cases in the fall, which would be worse than the initial rise this spring. At that time, it’s possible that cases might overwhelm the healthcare system.
No new cases have been recorded in neighbouring Barrhead or Athabasca.
