Alberta reported seven new cases and seven recovered cases of COVID-19 in the RMWB.
All are inside the urban service area.
Across the region, there are 142 active cases, two deaths, and 475 resolved cases of the illness.
Across Alberta, there are 732 new cases and 11 additional deaths of COVID-19 across the province.
Dr Deena Hinshaw, chief medical health officer, said the province is unable to contract trace about 30 per cent of active cases.
“This is deadly serious. I have asked for kindness but I’m also asking for firmness.”
320 schools have alerts/outbreaks. (13% of all schools)
64 schools on watch list.
157 schools have seen in-school transmission.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) November 18, 2020
She said she is disappointed that Albertans would attempt to find loopholes to public health restrictions.
Alberta Health Services will increase ICU capacity.
BREAKING:
11 new deaths in Alberta, now up to 443.#yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab https://t.co/j4ekeShUd7
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) November 18, 2020
Alberta has 10,057 active cases, 443 deaths, and 31,192 recovered cases of COVID-19.
The positivity rate for 13000 tests completed on Nov. 17 is 5.5 per cent.
National outlook
Ontario’s health minister said Canada should expect to receive millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines early in the new year.
Christine Elliott said the country is set to get four million doses of the Pfizer vaccine between January and March.
Canada will also get two million doses of Moderna’s vaccine.
During Question Period in Ontario’s Legislature, Elliott said that 1.6 million doses of the Pfizer and 800,000 of the Moderna vaccines are destined for the province.
Pfizer said it intends to seek approval for emergency use of its novel coronavirus vaccine.
The announcement comes after new test results showed it is 95 per cent effective, is safe, and works to protects vulnerable older adults.
Elliott said both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines require two shots, 21 days apart, which will provide a significant logistical challenge for authorities.
Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in many parts of the country.
Both Quebec and Ontario reported more than 30 additional deaths on Nov. 18, as well as over 1,000 new cases.
Nunavut began a two-week shutdown of schools and non-essential businesses amid what the premier described as a significant rise in cases.
The territory reported 10 new COVID-19 infections, bringing its total from 60 to 70.
This article includes excerpts from The Canadian Press.
