By Curtis Galbraith

COVID-19

COVID-19 Update: Active case numbers down, voluntary asymptomatic testing to end

Sep 17, 2020 | 5:09 PM

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Alberta is down by a dozen.

As of the end of testing on Wednesday, September 16, there were 1,483 active cases compared to 1,495 in the last update.

Another 146 new cases were found in the 13,003 tests completed Wednesday. There are now 14,537 people who are considered recovered. In the North Zone, there are 193 active cases. There are 1,058 people who have recovered.

Hospitalizations in Alberta are up to 41 from 38 in Wednesday’s update. The number of people in an intensive care unit has gone up to eight from six. There are five people in hospital in the North Zone, none of them are in an ICU.

There have been no new deaths for the third day in a row, leaving the total at 254. Thirty-three of those deaths have been in the North Zone.

One more recovery was reported in both the City and County of Grande Prairie. Six more people have recovered in Clear Hills County.

The numbers for the Peace Country through September 16 are as follows:

• City of Grande Prairie: 97 cases (10 actives, 85 recovered, two deaths)
• County of Grande Prairie: 49 cases (three actives, 46 recovered)
• M.D. of Greenview: 13 cases (one active, 11 recovered, one death)
• Birch Hills County: Three cases (All recovered)
• M.D. of Spirit River: 11 cases (two actives, nine recovered)
• M.D. of Smoky River: 74 cases (zero actives, 64 recovered, ten deaths)
• Big Lakes County: 48 cases (zero actives, 43 recovered, five deaths)
• M.D. of Lesser Slave River: 13 cases (three actives, 10 recovered)
• M.D. of Peace: 25 cases (seven actives, 18 recovered)
• M.D. of Fairview: 16 cases (zero actives,16 recovered)
• Clear Hills County: 86 cases (9 actives, 76 recovered, one death)
• Northern Sunrise County: Nine cases (3 actives, 6 recovered)
• County of Northern Lights: 53 cases (27 actives, 26 recovered)
• Saddle Hills County: One case (One active, 0 recovered)
• Mackenzie County: 385 cases (54 actives, 319 recovered, 12 deaths)

During the Thursday update, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer for Health has announced what she is calling a “more targeted approach” to COVID-19 testing.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says people with symptoms will still be tested, but asymptomatic testing will be directed to those who most need it and where it is more likely to turn up positive tests.

“This is the best way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Albertans during the winter and flu season. Let me be clear, anyone with symptoms, anyone who was a close contact of a confirmed case, and anyone who is linked to an outbreak will continue to be tested.”

She adds asymptomatic tests will still be offered to what she calls “priority groups” with no known exposure.

“This includes residents and staff in congregate settings, health care workers, school teachers, and staff, and Albertans experiencing homelessness. Asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended for other Albertans who have no symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19.”

Dr. Hinshaw says around 233,000 voluntary asymptomatic tests have been done since May 29, with seven out of every 10,000 tests coming back positive.

Dr. Hinshaw also updated the situation at Alberta schools during Thursday’s update.

She says 64 cases have been linked to 48 schools across the province. Ten of those, seven in Calgary, two in Edmonton, and one in Lethbridge are classified as having outbreaks.

When two or more people who test positive are at the same school within a 14-day period, that is considered an outbreak.

So far, there are no signs of the disease spreading within any school. Dr. Hinshaw is calling on people to show support and compassion for those who have tested positive. She says some people have been subjected to what she calls “intense scrutiny” and is asking people to remember these are not bad people. Dr. Hinshaw adds there is no sign of COVID-19 spreading within schools.