Fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed in Bonnyville area, provincial data shows

A fifth case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the Bonnyville area on Friday, provincial data shows.

It is the first case of novel coronavirus in the Bonnyville area in a little over a week.

The Cold Lake area and Vermilion River County area has two confirmed cases in each region.

The total of cases in Alberta is 1075, an increase of 107 cases in the past 24 hours.

Five more people have passed away from the virus, to a total of 18.

Four of which were from McKenzie Towne Long Term Care.

A woman in her 20s from Edmonton was the other victim.

Almost 200 people, 196, have recovered, up 22 more than yesterday.

Up to 137 cases could be from community transmission.

The province has completed over 60,000 coronavirus tests after three extensive testing days.

Chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said the increases in positive cases is due to a backlog of swabs.

She said they are not showing a rapid increase in community spread.

Premier Jason Kenney said they will reveal what their provincial modelling of COVID-19 looks like early next week, but added that Alberta will have the health care equipment and supplies, including ventilators, to handle the virus.

Kenney also announced a “Bits and Pieces” program, a call to businesses and Albertans to do what they can to assist at this time.

With few exceptions, hospitals will no longer allow visitors for patients at this time, said Dr. Hinshaw.

• Calgary Zone: 671 cases
• Edmonton Zone: 263 cases
• Central Zone:  62 cases
• North Zone: 57 cases
• South Zone: 16 cases
• Unknown: six cases