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Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced a $4.5 million investment to expand testing capacity in Alberta (Photo: Government of Alberta)
By Shaun Penner
COVID-19 UPDATE

No new COVID-19 cases in North Zone again Tuesday as province plans for expanded testing

May 5, 2020 | 3:54 PM

New cases of COVID-19 have decreased for a fourth straight day in Alberta Tuesday, as the province has identified 57 cases for May 5 to bring the province’s total number of cases to 5,893.

For the second day in a row as well, the North Zone saw no new cases to remain at 221 for May 5.

Tuesday’s totals were based on 1,958 tests being completed over the last 24 hours at the provincial lab, which included 75 from the North Zone. A total of 157,137 individuals have been tested province-wide as of May 5, 12,134 of which are from Northern Alberta.

An updated on cases in the Peace Region can be found below:

  • City of Grande Prairie: Four cases (Two active, two recovered)
  • County of Grande Prairie: Five cases (One active, four recovered)
  • M.D. of Greenview: Two cases (One active, one recovered)
  • M.D. of Smoky River: 67 cases (21 active, 36 recovered, ten deaths)
  • Big Lakes County: 37 cases (13 active, 21 recovered, two deaths)
  • M.D. of Lesser Slave River: Five cases (All recovered)
  • Northern Sunrise County: Three cases (All recovered)
  • M.D. of Peace: Seven cases (All recovered)
  • Clear Hills County: One case (Fatal)
  • County of Northern Lights: One case (Recovered)
  • Mackenzie County: 25 cases (Seven active, 18 recovered)

Two additional fatalities due to COVID-19 were reported on Tuesday in Alberta to bring the number of deaths to 106. Neither of those fatalities were identified in the North Zone, keeping the Zone’s death toll at 15.

The province’s rate of recovery also jumped again as 277 recoveries were reported on Tuesday. 3,219 people (55 per cent of all cases reported) have now recovered in Alberta from COVID-19

During Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro says the province’s testing capacity is slated to more than double by June, thanks to a $4.5 million investment.

The investment in new equipment, which includes a $1.7 million donation from the Calgary Health Trust, will see testing capacity in Alberta more than double from 7,000 tests per day to 16,000 by June.

“With this new testing technology, Albertans have another way to help us flatten the curve and protect our most vulnerable citizens,” said Shandro. “By getting tested and providing invaluable data to health professionals, we can have the best possible information to guide and evaluate our relaunch actions.”

With the capability to have more daily tests completed, Premier Jason Kenney says that is a key component to the province being able to re-open the province’s economy.

“Our ability to maintain COVID-19 testing capacity at the highest levels in Canada is critical to Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. I want to thank Calgary Health Trust and its donors for their generous contribution at this challenging time. Through continued support and ongoing vigilance, together we will slow the spread of the virus and reopen Alberta.”

by Shaun Penner