ATHABASCA, WESTLOCK - Three more cases of COVID-19 were reported in the Town and Country region today — two in Athabasca County and one in Westlock County.
The Alberta government's geospatial map, in the 'Cases in Alberta' section of its website shows the new infections. In total, Athabasca County has seen now seen six cases in all, including the two new active cases. Westlock County's new case is in addition to two more that occurred early on before the pandemic was even declared. The County of Barrhead had the first two cases in the immediate region even before that, but has been in the clear ever since.
Neighbouring counties, namely Thorhild County and Smoky Lake County, are now dealing with numerous cases of their own as well, having gone relatively unscathed in the first four months of the pandemic.
As of Aug. 3 though, Thorhild County now reports two more active cases, for a total of six, while Smoky Lake County has nine active cases, out of 10 in total.
On the morning of Aug. 4, chief medical officer of health Deena Hinshaw and education minister Adriana LaGrange announced an update to the school re-entry plan put forward by the province last month. Students will be required to wear masks while not in the classroom when they return to classrooms in September, and follow other measures to contain the spread of the virus which has been involved in the deaths of 201 Albertans.
“After reviewing the emerging evidence, it is clear that masks can play an important role in limiting the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Hinshaw at the press conference. "I am not making this updated recommendation lightly, but acting on the best current evidence available. While masks are important, I want to stress that they are only one of the many public health measures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of students, staff and families.”
There are currently 1,191 active cases in the province; 85 are in the hospital, 23 of which are in intensive care. Recovered cases are nearing the 10,000 mark at 9,754, and nearly 597,000 people have been tested.
The province's geospatial map can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm
