Alberta records 1,227 new COVID-19 cases, nine deaths

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — There were 1,227 new reported COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours in Alberta.

There were also nine additional deaths bringing the provincial total to 519.

Hospitalizations have grown to 405, an increase of 22 people since yesterday, and there are 86 people in the ICU.

In Calgary, there are 5,164 active cases, an increase of 415. Edmonton has the most active cases with 6,614.

Overall, there are currently 14,217 active cases in the province.

New restrictions for businesses came into effect Friday, which means certain places need to close, such as banquet halls, conference centres, and trade shows. At the same time, restaurants and retailers can remain open so long as there is a maximum of six people from the same immediate household at a table and stores reduce their capacity limited to 25 per cent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.

Alberta’s Justice Minister Kaycee Madu granted certain peace officers and community peace officers temporary authority to enforce the public health orders.

About 700 additional peace officers can now issue fines to those breaking the rules.

“My expectation is to ensure that folks comply with the public health orders,” Madu said.

“These orders are meant to keep all of us safe from this terrible virus.”

The province is faced with a serious situation and Madu said that requires them to hold people accountable.

“You are going to see a heightened level of enforcement in cases where there are individuals who are blatantly not complying with the health measures,” he said.

Officers can issue fines of $1,000 per ticketed offence and up to $100,000 through the courts.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw asked Albertans to reduce the amount of contact people have with those outside their household for the next few weeks.

“This weekend, I am asking all Albertans to embrace this challenge,” she said.

“Do everything you can possibly think of to help bend the curve.”

The decision made over the weekend will determine if the province will see a fall or rise of COVID-19 cases, added Hinshaw.

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