Latest updates

  • This update covers the past 72 hours.
    • 133 new cases were identified on Aug. 28
    • 184 new cases on Aug. 29
    • 109 new cases in the last 24 hours
  • Total number of active cases is now 1,370.
  • As of today, all zones across the province have cases:
    • Calgary zone: 590 active cases and 6,817 recovered
    • South zone: 24 active cases and 1,692 recovered
    • Edmonton zone: 551 active cases and 2,481 recovered
    • North zone: 174 active cases and 721 recovered
    • Central zone: 27 active cases and 554 recovered
    • Four active cases and 28 recovered cases in zones to be confirmed
    • Additional information, including case totals, is online.
  • To date, 2,099 cases have an unknown exposure.
  • There were 10,220 tests completed on Aug. 28, 11,205 on Aug. 29, and 12,244 in the last 24 hours.
  • Alberta labs have now performed 967,083 tests on 767,296 Albertans.
  • There were two deaths in the last 72 hours.
    • Total number of deaths is 239: 118 in the Calgary zone, 61 in the Edmonton zone, 29 in the North zone, 24 in the South zone, and seven in the Central zone.
  • There are 50 active cases and 969 recovered cases at continuing care facilities; 158 facility residents have died.

School health measures

  • K-12 classrooms are opening with health measures in place.
  • Masks are mandatory for Grade 4 to 12 students and all school staff in all settings where distancing isn’t possible.
  • Government is distributing more than 1.6 million reusable masks, two each to 740,000 students and 90,000 staff.
  • A re-entry tool kit is available for parents and students.
  • Health officials will monitor and update the guidance for schools based on the best evidence.

Teacher, staff, student testing

  • Asymptomatic testing is recommended for all teachers and staff in Early Childhood Services to Grade 12 education prior to the start of, and regularly throughout, the 2020-21 school year.
  • For children, testing is recommended only if there are symptoms or pre-existing medical conditions that have symptoms similar to COVID-19.
  • Anyone with symptoms must book testing through Alberta Health Services and cannot go to a community pharmacy. People with symptoms and close contacts receive priority.

MyHealth Records quick access

  • Albertans age 14 and up can access the MyHealth Records (MHR) tool immediately after signing up without waiting for mail-out verification.
  • Users can see their COVID-19 test results as soon as they are ready.
  • More than 250,000 Albertans have MHR accounts.

Asymptomatic testing in community pharmacies

Risk assessment tool

  • The online risk assessment tool can help people identify if they are at high risk of having a severe outcome. The tool also provides information on how to mitigate that risk.

Albertans downloading tracer app

  • Currently, 239,016 Albertans are using the ABTraceTogether app. Secure contact tracing is a cornerstone of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy.
  • A fix is being developed so the Alberta app can run in the background of locked iPhones.
  • Canada is moving to a national tracing app. Until it is available here, we encourage Albertans to use ABTraceTogether.
  • We will ensure the best possible transition for users when the national app is rolled out in Alberta. 

Court of Queen’s Bench

  • The Court of Queen’s Bench has new email filing procedures. Filing by fax is no longer accepted.
  • Summonses are being sent for jury selection and jury trials starting in September. For safety, jury selection and some jury trials will be off-site; summonses have locations.
  • Short, judge-alone criminal trials will continue to be heard via WebEx video, and in-person in COVID-safe courtrooms, until Dec. 18.
  • With a number of judicial matters continuing to proceed via video conferencing, the Court of Queen’s Bench developed an etiquette guide for online hearings for participants.
  • More information is at https://www.albertacourts.ca/qb/resources/announcements.

Traffic court

  • Do not attend a courthouse in person for any traffic trial scheduled up to and including Sept. 4.
  • Instead, visit the Provincial Court of Alberta website for details on rescheduling.

Alberta’s Recovery Plan

  • Alberta’s Recovery Plan will create jobs, economic diversification and a strong economic future.

Supporting Alberta businesses through relaunch

  • The Alberta Biz Connect web page has health and safety guidelines for general workplaces and specific industry sectors. Check for new and updated guidance documents.
  • Businesses may complete an online template to plan how to protect employees and patrons.

Addiction and mental health supports

  • Confidential supports are available. The Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Canadian Mental Health Association has resources at mentalhealthweek.ca.
  • The Kids Help Phone is available 24-7 and offers professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people by texting CONNECT to 686868.
  • Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

Homelessness supports

  • The Alberta government is providing an additional $48 million to help shelter operators continue to provide safe, healthy places to stay for people struggling with homelessness during the pandemic.

Family violence prevention

  • A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line at 310-1818 provides anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
  • Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • People fleeing family violence can call local police or the nearest RCMP detachment to apply for an Emergency Protection Order, or follow the steps in the Emergency Protection Orders Telephone Applications (COVID-19).
  • Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are at alberta.ca/COVID19.

Quick facts

  • Legal requirements for physical distancing and isolating when sick or showing symptoms are still in effect, and all Albertans must adhere to these restrictions.
  • Good hygiene is your best protection: wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into an elbow or sleeve, and dispose of tissues appropriately.
  • Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness during this difficult time at #AlbertaCares.
  • Alberta Connects Contact Centre (310-4455) is open Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.