18 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, one in North Zone

The provincial government announced there are 18 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, reaching a total of 74 across the province on Monday with one confirmed case in the North Zone, which the Lakeland resides in.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw addressed Albertans through a teleconference on Monday afternoon from her home as she is self-isolating after taking a COVID-19 test earlier today when feeling minor cold-like symptoms.

She said she would not disclose the location of the cases unless it put others at risk.

It is unclear where the one confirmed case in the north zone is, but Dr. Hinshaw said it is travel-related.

“What we’ve been saying in the past several weeks in respect to our announcements of locations is that the location of the case is relevant if it puts others at risk. So if there were community transmission associated with that case, then it would be relevant for the public to know, and this particular case it was travel-related,” said Dr. Hinshaw.

“The announcement we make about geography is done through zones to protect patient confidentiality.”

For the first time, there are confirmed cases in each health zone in Alberta.

The province announced they are looking to swiftly pass Bill 5 and 6 and to expedite the passing of budget legislation necessary for front-line spending to combat the COVID-19 public health crisis.

They said they’ll allow for evening sittings to occur to speed up the progress of these pieces of legislation as House Leader Jason Nixon said the government is unsure whether the legislative assembly will postpone at any given time.