Check against delivery
Good afternoon.
I will keep my remarks to just an update on cases today, as I know many of you have questions about Alberta’s relaunch strategy.
Over the last 24 hours, we have confirmed an additional 190 cases, bringing the total in Alberta to 5,355.
We have now reached 148,937 tests completed in Alberta to date, with 5,051 new tests since yesterday.
I’m also pleased to report the number of recovered cases in Alberta has increased to 2,161 overall.
Sadly, we have also confirmed 3 additional deaths.
I want to express my sincere condolences to the friends and families of these individuals.
I would also like to report a death that had been previously thought to be related to COVID-19 has now been reclassified as being unrelated to COVID-19.
Therefore the total number of deaths in the province has increased by 2 to 89.
As I have said before, any death is a loss of someone who is loved by their family and friends.
Whether their death is from COVID or anything else, each of these lives matters. The clarification provided about the counts is simply due to our commitment to transparency but is not meant to imply that some deaths are more important than others. My sympathies go out to all families mourning the loss of a loved one at this time from any cause.
As of today, there are now 544 cases in continuing care facilities across the province.
At High River’s Cargill meatpacking plant, there have now been 908 total cases, 631 of whom who have now recovered.
There have also been 333 confirmed cases among workers at the JBS plant in Brooks.
I will continue to update you on these facilities as the situation evolves.
While we continue to work to prevent transmissions in these outbreaks we have seen low numbers maintained in most of the province.
We cannot let up on outbreak control, but we can celebrate what we have accomplished.
Many have suffered from this virus. Lives, lifestyles and livelihoods have all been impacted.
I want to thank all Albertans for their collective sacrifices that have helped us get to where we are today.
However, our fight is far from over. We must continue to use common sense to protect each other and help prevent the spread.
Please continue to wash your hands frequently, stay home when sick, maintain physical distance, and look out for each other in the days and weeks ahead.
Today is the beginning of our next phase of protecting each other, and we will continue to need each other more than ever in the days ahead.
For many Albertans, part of that collective support is through faith-based organizations as an essential part of their lives. These organizations continue to be able to practice, subject to public health direction, including restrictions on mass gatherings and physical distancing.
Public health officials will continue to advise government and work with these organizations to learn from past outbreaks and provide guidance related to specific practices as we progress through stages of the relaunch. This will include consideration of safe ways of supporting singing and other traditions to ensure safety while supporting social connection.
Thank you. We are happy to take questions.