Alberta has surpassed 5,000 COVID-19-related deaths since the onset of the pandemic.
In its weekly update on the virus Wednesday, the province reported 28 new deaths over the past week, bringing the total number of COVID-19-related deaths to 5,011.
Between Oct. 18 and 24, there were 1,461 new cases.
There are now 1,118 people in hospital infected with COVID-19 across the province, up 48 from a week ago, with 28 in the ICU, down five from last week.
In the Central Zone, there are 128 people in hospital — up 10 from a week ago — with two in the ICU, up two from last week.
Alberta’s new COVID-19 geospatial map provides information only for each of Alberta Health’s five zones, not individual communities. It is also colour-coded to show which zone has an above-average case rate.
By that standard, the Central Zone is rated near average, the Edmonton and South zone are above average, with the Calgary zone below average.
The Central Zone has reported 153 new cases in the last seven days for a total of 62,541 cases and 646 deaths since the pandemic began. The seven-day new case rate is 32.3 per 100,000 people, compared with the provincial average of 33.1.
NDP health critic David Shepherd issued a statement in response to Alberta’s death toll topping 5,000.
“I extend my heart-felt condolences to all Albertans grieving the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” says Shepherd.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on Alberta’s health-care system and has had a significant impact in nearly every aspect of our lives.
“All of us in the Alberta NDP mourn the loss of every Albertan who has lost their life to COVID-19 and we are committed to learning from the pandemic to improve health care so all Albertans can receive care when and where they need it.”