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241 new COVID-19 cases. 4 more Albertans die. Alberta Update

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The Manior du Lac Care Facility in McLennan has lost 6 residents to COVID-19 

Update 37: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (April 19)

There are now 1,198 confirmed recovered cases of COVID-19 in the province.

A total of 241 new cases have been reported, bringing the total number of cases to 2,803.

Four Albertans have died since the last report, bringing the total number of reported deaths to 55.

Latest updates

  • Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
    • 1,997 cases in the Calgary zone
    • 429 cases in the Edmonton zone
    • 142 cases in the South zone
    • 137 cases in the North zone
    • 76 cases in the Central zone
    • 22 cases in zones yet to be confirmed
  • Of these cases, there are currently 65 people in hospital, 16 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
  • 488 cases are suspected of being community acquired.
  • The total deaths are 38 in the Calgary zone, eight in the Edmonton zone, eight in the North zone, and one in the Central zone.
  • To date, 307 cases have been confirmed at continuing care facilities, and 36 residents at these facilities have died.
  • There have been 97,180 people tested for COVID-19 and a total of 101,323 tests performed by the lab. In the last 24 hours, 4,426 tests have been completed.
  • One of the Albertans who recently died was a resident at Manoir du Lac in McLennan, which brings the total deaths at this facility to six.
  • Alberta Health Services has assumed administration of Manoir du Lac. Learn more here.

 

Interactive map for commercial truck drivers

Truck drivers can now use an interactive map on 511Alberta to find open restaurants, restrooms and showers on Alberta highways.

The map shows restaurants, safety rest areas and vehicle Inspection stations that have available food, washrooms, showers and/or rest areas.

Fire bans

A fire ban is in place inside the Forest Protection Area of Alberta and Alberta provincial parks and protected areas until further notice.

With snow on the ground, the fire danger level is low. No off-highway vehicle restrictions are currently in effect in the Forest Protection Area. Off-highway vehicle restrictions will be phased in as hazards arise.

For more information on fire bans and OHV restrictions, call 1-866-FYI-FIRE or visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

Mental health supports

Confidential supports are available to help with mental health concerns. The Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 are available between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

Family violence prevention

  • A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line is available at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
  • Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are available at alberta.ca/COVID19.

Quick facts

  • The most important measure Albertans can take to prevent respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, is to practise good hygiene.
    • This includes cleaning your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve, and disposing of tissues appropriately.
  • Those with symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, or shortness of breath, should complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment. After completing the form, there is no need to call 811.
  • The 310 call centre’s operating hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
  • For recommendations on protecting yourself and your community, visit alberta.ca/COVID19.
  • All Albertans need to work together to overcome COVID-19. Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness they have experienced in their community during this difficult time by using the hashtag #AlbertaCares.

 

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta

Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program

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Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.

Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.

The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

Quick facts

  • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
  • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
  • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
  • Made in Alberta product catalogue website

 

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Alberta

Province to expand services provided by Alberta Sheriffs: New policing option for municipalities

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Expanding municipal police service options

Proposed amendments would help ensure Alberta’s evolving public safety needs are met while also giving municipalities more options for local policing.

As first announced with the introduction of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, Alberta’s government is considering creating a new independent agency police service to assume the police-like duties currently performed by Alberta Sheriffs. If passed, Bill 49 would lay additional groundwork for the new police service.

Proposed amendments to the Police Act recognize the unique challenges faced by different communities and seek to empower local governments to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing overall public safety across the province.

If passed, Bill 49 would specify that the new agency would be a Crown corporation with an independent board of directors to oversee its day-to-day operations. The new agency would be operationally independent from the government, consistent with all police services in Alberta. Unlike the Alberta Sheriffs, officers in the new police service would be directly employed by the police service rather than by the government.

“With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta. As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

Additional amendments would allow municipalities to select the new agency as their local police service once it becomes fully operational and the necessary standards, capacity and frameworks are in place. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the new agency works collaboratively with all police services to meet the province’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities. While the RCMP would remain the official provincial police service, municipalities would have a new option for their local policing needs.

Once established, the agency would strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which include the RCMP, Indigenous police services and municipal police. It would help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently across the province.

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