Loading articles...

Alberta reports no new deaths from COVID-19

Last Updated May 20, 2020 at 9:42 am MDT

This 2020 electron microscope made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention image shows the spherical coronavirus particles from the first U.S. case of COVID-19. On Monday, May 4, 2020, New York City health authorities issued an alert to doctors about severe inflammatory condition possibly linked with COVID-19 has been found in a cluster of U.S. children in New York City after first being reported in Europe. On Wednesday, New York said 64 potential cases had been reported to the state. Fever, abdominal pain and skin rashes are common symptoms of the unnamed condition, which has features similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome. (C.S. Goldsmith, A. Tamin/CDC via AP)

Alberta reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 in the province, bringing the number of total active cases to 6716.

To date, 5584 Albertans recovered from the virus.

There are no new cases of COVID-19 in Wood Buffalo.

There is one active case in the Fort McMurray and 21 recoveries, and also one active and two recovered cases outside the urban service area.

To date, Alberta Health Services (AHS) completed 3871 COVID-19 testing swabs in the RMWB.

These figures include testing done at the Kearl Lake oil sands facility.

Canadian Natural also reported no additional positive cases of COVID-19 linked to its Horizon site.

AHS first declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at Horizon on May 13.

READ MORE: Alberta reports 39 new COVID-19 cases and another death

The province also reported no additional deaths, as the current death toll is 128.

Hospitalization rates remain low with 61 people currently in hospital, eight of whom are in intensive care.

In the last 24 hours, officials completed 2428 tests.

In total, they tested 201,283 Albertans.

COVID-19 impacted Alberta’s long-term care facilities since the outbreak entered the province in early March.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced $14.2-million in funding per month for long-term care, designated supportive living facilities and seniors lodges.

He added the funds, which are retroactive to March 15, will support enhanced staffing and extra cleaning supplies, and cover lost accommodation revenue.

“We know from our experience over the past few months that seniors are most at risk from COVID-19. If our province is to carefully and gradually lift public health restrictions, we must first make sure our most vulnerable will remain safe. This funding is another step in that direction and complements ongoing efforts.”

Shandro said the provincial investment amounts to more than $170-million.

The province will maintain the funding throughout all stages of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy and the threat of COVID-19 is passed with the lifting of public health orders.

In continuing care facilities in Alberta, there are 95 active cases and 599 recovered cases.

94 Albertans from these facilities died due to COVID-19.

More details to come…