Following is an update for active COVID-19 cases in the Okotoks area as of 4 p.m. on May 3 according to Alberta government statistics.
Town of Okotoks — 251
Foothills County — 111
High River — 60
As a result of the added hot-spot restrictions introduced on April 29, the Town of Okotoks has now exceeded both the threshold of at least 350 cases per 100,000 people (Okotoks' rate is at 704.2 on May 3) and 250 active cases or more (at 251 on May 3) and is facing enhanced measures.
The measures dictate that students in grades 7-12 must shift to online learning.
Additionally, all indoor fitness activities are prohibited including group fitness activities such as team sports, fitness classes and training sessions as well as practices, training and games. As well, all youth and adult indoor sport, performance and recreation activities are prohibited. This applies to all youth activities, including for students still learning in classrooms. All indoor recreation facilities must close. Outdoor recreation amenities can be open to public access unless specifically closed by public health order.
These restrictions will remain in place for two weeks, or until the region falls back below the case threshold – whichever is longer.
The Town of Okotoks and Rocky View County were added to the hot-spot locations on May 3. The enhanced restrictions are also in place in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Airdrie, Strathcona County and St. Albert.
There were a total of 2,012 new cases identified in the province over the past 24 hours bringing the total of active cases in Alberta to 23,608, 63.8 per cent of which are variants of concern.
Currently, there are 658 patients hospitalized with COVID, 154 of whom are in ICU.
More information on the current public health measures can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
Vaccine rollout
The Province announced 1,640,303 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered as of May 2. To date, 301,398 Albertans have been fully immunized with two doses.
Albertans 75 or older, as well as those not yet that age but born on any date in 1946, can book their vaccine appointments online as of Feb. 24 at the following link https://www.alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine.aspx.
Phase 2A of the vaccine rollout opened on March 15 for Albertans born 1956 or before as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals born 1971 or before.
The Province announced Phase 2B of the rollout started March 30 for Albertans 16 to 64 with high-risk underlying health conditions.
Additionally, as of April 19 Albertans aged 40 and above are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Phase 2C opened on April 12 for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and all other health care professionals and their office or support staff who provide in-person, direct patient care as well as individuals working in patient care facilities or providing services directly to clients in the community for Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Alberta Precision Labs, DynaLife, and students undertaking placement practicums in clinical areas and health-care workers on First Nation reserves and Metis Settlements. Shelter staff and residents, correctional facility staff and inmates have also been added to the 2C group.
The Province also added individuals born between 2006 and 2009 with underlying conditions to the 2C group eligible for the Pfizer vaccine starting April 27.
As of April 30, phase 2D is open, increasing the eligibility for vaccines to Albertans born in 1971 or earlier and First Nations, Métis and Inuit born in 1986 or earlier.
On May 3, the Premier announced teachers, support staff and childcare workers have been added to the eligibility list for vaccines and can book their appointments starting on May 4.
The list of who's eligible can be found at: https://www.alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine.aspx
More information on vaccine appointments is available at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17295.aspx
