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Alberta has 79 new COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 621

An AHS worker at a COVID-19 drive-thru testing centre in Calgary, Alta. Courtesy: Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health announced 79 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province on Saturday, bringing the total to 621.

Here is the current case breakdown:

  • 378 cases in the Calgary zone
  • 139 cases in the Edmonton zone
  • 48 cases in the Central zone
  • 43 cases in the North zone
  • 12 cases in the South zone
  • One case in a yet-to-be-confirmed zone

Alberta Health said there have been 38 hospitalizations, with 12 admitted to intensive care units.

Up to 54 of the 621 cases may be due to community transmission, Alberta Health said.

Fifty-three people have recovered from the virus, according to the province.

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Alberta’s COVID-19 death toll stands at two.

On Saturday, the province announced that $128 million in funding originally set for K-12 schools would be redirected to COVID-19 measures, prompting backlash due to the layoffs the funding loss will likely cause.

The latest health and medical news emailed to you every Sunday.

Reminders

The province did not make any major announcements on new rules related to COVID-19 as part of its update Saturday, but reminded people that gatherings of more than 15 people are prohibited and there are restrictions in place for close-contact businesses, dine-in restaurants and non-essential retail services. Essential services are listed here.

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The government said it is halting some health construction projects and non-essential service contracts.

“In order to protect patients, families and staff providing key services inside health-care facilities, [Alberta Health Services] has informed some contractors and vendors that provide non-essential services at some health facilities that their projects will be temporarily paused,” the government said, adding that these include non-essential delivery services and facility maintenance.

As for renters, the Alberta government said that following its announcement Friday, tenants will be protected from eviction for non-payment before May 1, rents cannot be increased during the state of public health emergency and late fees cannot be applied to rent payments for three months.

Vehicle restrictions are in place at all provincial parks and recreation area access points, matching national park restrictions.

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