COVID-19 cases in Alberta exceed 5000, 87 deaths

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, orange, emerging from the surface of cells, gray, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

The provincial government reported one more new case of COVID-19 in Fort McMurray.

All 16 active cases of the virus are in the urban service area.

Fort McMurray also has five recovered cases, with two more outside the urban service area.

Imperial Oil previously confirmed 33 cases of COVID-19 at the Kearl Lake facility north of town.

Another 32 cases are off-site within the province of Alberta and 18 are in other parts of the country.

READ MORE: Premier Kenney address flood response, COVID-19 numbers 

Dr Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health relaxed restrictions for Fort McMurray and flood-impacted regions of northern Alberta.

This would allow residents to gather and emergency personnel to work in close quarters with volunteers in flood mitigation efforts.

Alberta reported 315 COVID-19 cases throughout the province, bringing the total to 5,165.

Hinshaw added seven more cases died of the virus to bring that total to 87.

All occurred in the Calgary Zone, and six happened at the city’s Clifton Manor continuing care facility.

Hinshaw outlined new guidelines for continuing care facilities.

Alberta confirmed 503 cases in the province’s long-term care facilities, including 59 deaths.

Hinshaw announced new visitation rules for residents of care centres not in isolation.

“Residents in continuing care facilities, who are not in isolation, can now enjoy outdoor visits with a designated essential visitor and one other person.”

She added all parties should take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as physical distancing.

All visitors must wear a mask or facial covering.

Hinshaw also clarified visitation rules for Albertans in circumstances where one is at the end of their life.

1953 cases of the virus recovered, which is an increase of 153 from yesterday.

Alberta also performed 143,886 tests so far.