.jpg;w=960)
The number of active COVID-19 in the Barrhead region has increased by one, from the previous day to sit at nine.
That is according to the provincial coronavirus status map that shows the number of active cases as of Dec. 10.
The map does not specify whether the active cases are in the Town of Barrhead or the County of Barrhead.
The map states that there have been 40 cases within the County of Barrhead area. Twenty-nine have been reported as recovered and there have been two deaths. There are currently no outbreaks at schools or senior living facilities in the area. However, in nearby Westlock and Lac Ste. Anne Counties there are outbreaks reported at Mayerthorpe's Extendicare and Westlock's Continuing Care facility.
As of today, Friday, Dec, 11, the total number of active cases in Alberta stands at 20,161. Of those 684, are in the hospital, with 123 in intensive care units (ICU).
The Edmonton zone once again leads all areas with 9,570 active cases followed by Calgary with 7,166. The North Zone, which Barrhead is part of, reports 1,240 active cases, with 32 requiring hospitalization. Five are in intensive care. Fifty-four deaths have also been reported due to the virus.
In neighbouring Westlock County, 27 active cases are reported. Woodlands County reports no active cases and 48 active cases are reported in Lac Ste Anne County. Elsewhere in our readership area, in Athabasca, the provincial map shows 27 active cases.
Chief medical health officer Deena Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services (AHS) has changed its designated support and visitation policy to in all acute care facilities.
Effective Monday, Dec. 14, only one support person will be allowed in ambulatory care, emergency rooms, urgent care, maternity departments and other in-patient hospital areas.
For patients in critical care, pediatrics and neonatal units, the number of support people will be limited to two.
"We know these restrictions will be difficult especially over the holiday season but they are needed to stop the spread of the virus and to keep patients safe," Hinshaw said."We must do everything possible to bend down the curve, there is no other option."
She also cautioned people not to rush to malls, or "cram into other businesses to beat the next round of restrictions which start on Dec. 12 at midnight.
The restrictions include those for restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be limited to takeout, curbside pickup and delivery.
Other services will also no longer be able to operate for a minimum of one month, including casinos, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, and bowling alleys, movie theatres and indoor recreational facilities such as fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas and gyms, studios. Libraries, museums and art galleries must also close, as well as businesses offering personal and wellness services such as hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlours and massage services.
"Every action we take is like throwing a stone into a lake. It ripples out and we cannot know where those ripples will end. By altering our day-to-day actions immediately, we can reduce the number of new cases that we will see in the days and weeks ahead," Hinshaw said.
These are in addition to the province-wide mandatory face-covering requirement enacted on Tuesday.
