More than eight months after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Airdrie reported its first death from the virus Nov. 22.
As of Nov. 24, Airdrie has 273 active cases of COVID-19 – a decrease from a high of 314 cases reported 10 days prior.
Seven Airdrie schools are currently listed on the Alberta government’s COVID-19 status map. Northcott Prairie School, George McDougall High School and Herons Crossing School are all experiencing outbreaks of five or more cases. Four of the schools – St. Martin de Porres, C.W. Perry School, Meadowbrook School and Bert Church High School – are listed under “open” status, meaning they have two to four active cases of the virus.
With the prevalence of COVID-19 continuing to escalate province-wide, Premier Jason Kenney enacted a second state of public health emergency Nov. 24 and announced a number of new restrictions meant to prevent further spread. The restrictions will be in effect for the next three weeks, according to Kenney, and will be re-evaluated in mid-December.
“As [chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw] has said, there’s no one single way through this pandemic,” Kenney said, during a press conference watched by more than 100,000 Albertans. “Any decision impacts the lives of our friends and neighbours.”
As per Kenney’s announcement, indoor social gatherings are now banned in Alberta, while outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. The restrictions apply to wedding ceremonies and funerals. He added social gatherings are the largest known source of transmission.
“Many people may think a family dinner or get together with friends is no big deal and just normal,” he said. “We don’t imagine when we gather as a family that people will be transmitting a virus like this, but it is the key reason why COVID-19 is winning.”
Faith-based gatherings now face a mandatory limit of one-third capacity in communities of the province under “enhanced” status, while masks are mandatory for indoor workspaces in the same areas.
The restrictions will also impact schools. According to Kenney, students in grades 7 to 12 will transition back to at-home learning from Dec. 1 to 18, while the winter break will be extended until Jan. 11, 2021, when students will return to in-school classes.
Kenney said some businesses must close for in-person service, including banquet halls, conference centres, trade shows, auditoriums concert venues and children’s play places.
Most retail businesses may remain open with a 25 per cent capacity limit, Kenney said. Restaurants and bars are able to offer in-person dining with 25 per cent capacity, and a maximum of six people from the same immediate household at a table. Movement is not allowed between tables.
Hair salons, personal wellness services, hotels and professional services will be restricted to operating on an appointment-only basis, he added, and must follow all public health guidelines in place.
Entertainment services such as casinos, movie theatres, museums, libraries, indoor entertainment centres and recreational facilities must also operate under the 25 per cent threshold.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Alberta peace officers will have the authority to enforce the new restrictions. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000, which can increase to $100,000 through the court system.
Following Kenney’s announcement, Hinshaw presented the latest update on COVID-19 in the province. She said there were 1,115 new cases of the virus and 16 deaths reported Nov. 24, from approximately 13,500 tests.
There are currently 13,349 active cases in the province, with 348 COVID-19 patients in the hospital and 66 in intensive care units. There have been 492 deaths, Hinshaw said, including 103 in the last two weeks.
“We must take action now,” she said. “The spread of the virus, the impact on our health system and the challenges it poses to our health system are serious. I believe in Albertans. We’re in this together and will get through it together.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
