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Sixty-two new variant cases identified in Alberta, three additional deaths

Dr. Deena Hinshaw provides a provincial update on COVID-19 in Alberta.

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The province has identified 62 new variant cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total identified variant cases to 1,047.

Of the 62 variant cases, 61 are of the B.1.1.7 variant, and one of the B.1.351 variant.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says currently, out of the total variant cases that have been reported, 509 remain active.

WATCH: Dr. Deena Hinshaw provides an update on COVID-19 in Alberta

In total, 355 cases of COVID-19 were identified on Tuesday.

Three new deaths were reported, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 in Alberta to 1,952.

There was a slight increase over the last day when it comes to hospitalizations, with 260 people now in hospital, and 44 people in the ICU.

Dr. Hinshaw began Tuesday’s update with some clarification as spring break gets closer.

READ MORE: COVID-19 vaccines to soon be offered at local clinics

“Under our current public health measures, day camps are not yet permitted to take place. I understand the desire for these camps, and I know that many people would like to have them happen during spring break or the Easter long weekend, but these sorts of activities create risks of mixing groups and it is extremely difficult to limit the risk of exposure,” she said.

Dr. Hinshaw confirmed that these sorts of camps will not be allowed until Stage 4 of the reopening plan.

Alberta’s top doctor also addressed the province’s reporting of outbreaks going forward.

“Previously, there was an inconsistent approach to reporting outbreaks in settings that are not in health care, child care, educational, shelter, or correctional facilities,” she said. “Sometimes these outbreaks were reported at five cases and sometimes at 10.”

She says now the province will treat outbreaks at workplaces and other settings the same, only reporting when 10 cases have been confirmed.