Alberta reports second death of COVID-19 in the RMWB in weekend report

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, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

Alberta reported another death linked to COVID-19 in Wood Buffalo.

The province also identified 36 new cases, one death, and 19 recoveries of the illness across the RMWB over the weekend.

The death occurred in the urban service area, which has 129 active cases, two deaths, and 392 recovered cases of COVID-19.

Outside the urban service area, there are 10 active cases and 71 resolved cases.

Alberta listed Canadian Natural’s Albian and Horizon sites, Imperial’s Kearl Lake, Suncor’s Base Plant and Firebag, and Syncrude’s Mildred Lake as COVID-19 outbreak locations.

Father Patrick Mercredi and Holy Trinity schools have links to between two and four confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The region entered Alberta’s enhanced watch list on Nov. 13 and saw new targeted public health measures for indoor sports and performance groups, and restaurants and pubs.

Provincial outlook

In the last 24 hours, the province had 860 new cases of the illness and 20 additional deaths.

Across Alberta, there are 10,031 active cases, 427 deaths, and 29,731 recovered cases.

264 Albertans are in hospital, including 57 in intensive care.

Chief medical officer of health, Dr Deena Hinshaw recognized Fort McMurray among several cities that implemented new measures over the weekend.

She also added there are no lab-confirmed influenza cases so far this year, along with no deaths or hospitalizations.

RELATED: Kenney announced new COVID-19 restrictions in some areas, including RMWB

COVID-19 Vaccine candidate

Another promising COVID-19 candidate emerged as Canada surpassed its 300,000-case count.

The country surpassed 200,000 total cases on Oct. 19, 2020.

Moderna’s announcement that its COVID-19 vaccine appears to be 94.5 per cent effective, according to preliminary data, comes a week after a similar announcement from Pfizer.

Canada signed agreements with both American companies and asked Health Canada to review their products.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned a shot won’t provide an immediate solution to the second wave currently spurring a surge in cases across the country.

The two hardest-hit provinces of Ontario and Quebec continue to report more than 1,000 daily new infections.

They reported 1,487 and 1,218 new infections, respectively, as well as 10 and 25 more deaths.

Over the weekend, Alberta saw a daily increase of more than 1,000 cases, though that dropped back to 991 on Nov. 15.

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul said the federal government needs a national task force of scientists to create a coordinated response to COVID-19.

She said the current approach is leading to mixed messages.

This article includes excerpts from The Canadian Press.