Alberta has 1,128 new cases of COVID-19 reported over the past 24 hours — and a total of 5,107 new cases since Dec. 30.
During the same time period of less than a week there were 45 COVID-19 deaths in the province. — including three more in Red Deer and a total of five deaths in Central Zone — including a 20 -year-old woman from an undisclosed community.
There are now a total of 13,839 active viral cases in Alberta. (This includes 1,128 reported on Jan. 3,459 on Jan. 2, as well as 933 cases on Jan. 1, 1,361 cases on Dec. 31, and 1,226 on Dec. 30.)
Among the latest COVID-19 deaths in the province was a health care worker in the Calgary Zone.
Minister of Health Tyler Shandro issued a statement on Monday saying “I’m deeply saddened to hear that an Alberta health-care worker has passed away as a result of COVID-19.
“I want to extend my condolences to this person’s family, friends, loved ones and colleagues at this difficult time.”
Shandro added that health-care workers are doing everything possible to protect people they care for, their co-workers, and themselves. “The dedication and remarkable commitment I’ve witnessed from health-care workers throughout the pandemic has never wavered – you have stepped up for this province in a time of need.
The tragedy of this loss will be felt across the system, he said — including by co-workers those who were cared for by this individual. “Their service will not be forgotten.”
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of health, tweeted “The New Year is upon us and with it comes hope for a brighter tomorrow, (but) our battle with COVID-19 is far from over.
“The actions we take now can help bring… cases and hospitalizations down in the weeks to come.
Hinshaw urged Albertans to keep following public health guidelines.
There are currently 1,523 active viral cases in the Central Zone. Ninety-four people are in hospital in our zone, with 15 occupying intensive care beds.
As of Jan. 3, Red Deer had 261 active viral cases and seven deaths in total.
The latest fatalities are two women in their 80s who lived in Michener Extendicare, and one man in his 80s from Points West Living.
Red Deer County had had 63 active cases and zero deaths, while Lacombe County had 33 active cases and one death.
The County of Stettler has had 11 active cases and two deaths. Ponoka County has had 512 active cases and, so far, four deaths. Kneehill County has 12 cases and three deaths, Clearwater County had 42 cases and Mountain View County had 34 cases. (Both of the latter have, so far, had no deaths.
As of the previous report, on Dec. 29, Red Deer had 277 active cases, 1,150 people who recovered, and four deaths in total.