Four more Albertans, all of them seniors in Calgary continuing care centres, have died from COVID-19, Alberta's top doctor revealed today (May 21) when providing an update on the latest provincial figures for the illness.  

That brings the total number of deaths in Alberta to 132.  Dr. Deena Hinshaw says a daily number of four deaths might seem quite high, but as she points out, all four may not have died in the past 24 hours.

"Sometimes these deaths have happened over the past few days but they only get reported to the ministry as that reporting system kind of works its way through.  So in this particular case, although four cases were reported today, the actual deaths may have happened over the last few days."

The four deaths at continuing care facilities make 98 residents of those facilities who have passed away from COVID-19, pointing out the great risk to that vulnerable population.  "We do know that older individuals are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19," says Hinshaw.  "The average age of those who have died from COVID-19 is 82 years which is why long-term care and other continuing care facilities remain a priority for me and Alberta Health Care.  We will continue to monitor outbreaks at these facilities."

Despite these four tragic deaths, Hinshaw's update today did bring with it some good news on other fronts.  "We continue to see a downward trend across the province in active cases," she remarks.  "While it is too early to see the full impact of the relaunch, so far, our case numbers have held steady.  A large part of this is thanks to you, and the sacrifices you have made, and continue to make."

Hinshaw then pointed out that just 33 new cases of the virus were found in the province in the past 24 hours.  That reduces the number of active cases down to 926 from 970 yesterday.  5,710 Albertans have now recovered from the illness. 

The province's hospitalization rate remains low with now 59 people in hospital, 6 in intensive care.

4,017 tests were conducted in the past day, which is well short of Alberta's testing capacity, which Hinshaw says is around 7,000.  However, she also says there are reasons, not all the tests that could be are administered every day.  "That number is based not just on equipment but on our supplies.  As we've said before there's a global demand for things like swabs and reagents so it's sometimes challenging to get the volume of supplies we need."

Tomorrow, the Alberta Emergency Management Committee will be meeting to decide whether the second part of the Stage One relaunch can start on Monday in the cities of Calgary and Brooks.  That opening, if allowed to proceed, will let hairstylists, barbershops, cafes, pubs, bars, day camps, places of worship, and other businesses open with limits on occupancy and other restrictions in place. 

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