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20 new COVID-19 cases in RMWB as Alberta announces new restrictions

Last Updated Nov 24, 2020 at 6:23 pm MDT

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney updates media on measures taken to help with COVID-19, in Edmonton on Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alberta reported 20 new cases and eight recoveries of COVID-19 in the RMWB in the last 24 hours.

17 of the 20 cases are in Fort McMurray, which has 158 active cases, two deaths, and 466 recovered cases of the infection.

Outside the urban service area, there are 27 active cases and 73 resolved cases of COVID-19.

Alberta reports 1115 new cases and 16 additional deaths linked to COVID-19.

348 Albertans in hospital, including 66 in intensive care.

Premier Jason Kenney announced a state of public health emergency in Alberta on Nov. 24.

“If these measures do not have meaningful impact, and that depends on how each one of us responds, we will be forced to take more drastic measures to protect the health care system later in December.”

He also outlined new COVID-19 measures to help reduce the spread of the illness.

Alberta will not permit any indoor social gatherings, and there will be limits on outdoor social gatherings.

Funerals and weddings may a maximum of 10 guests.

There are also various capacity limits for retail stores, faith-based services, and restaurant dining.

Banquets halls, conference centres, and concert halls must close.

For Alberta schools, Kenney announced grades 7-12 will begin online learning on Nov 30th for the balance of 2020.

The winter break begins on Dec. 18 for other students.

In-person classes return on Jan. 11, 2021.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro added diploma exams will be optional for the rest of the school year.

Shandro said Alberta is in a critical time.

“Most Albertans have done their best to follow the targeted health measures introduced 10 days ago, however, these efforts have not slowed the growth of COVID-19 sufficiently. Cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to rise. By taking further action now, we can slow this virus, ensure our health-care system has the capacity to respond and prevent the shuttering of more businesses.”

The new restrictions will remain in place for a three-week period beginning Nov. 27.

Alberta has 13,349 active cases, 492 deaths, and 35,695 resolved cases of COVID-19.

Health officials conducted 13,576 new tests for a positivity rate of 8.2 per cent.

More information on new COVID-19 restrictions is available on Alberta’s website.