Active cases in Alberta have dropped by 35 in the past 24 hours to 679, the lowest since March 30, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said, while also reporting two deaths at continuing care facilities, which now account for 106 of the 141 provincial COVID-19 death count.
The total active cases include 43 hospitalized patients, four of whom are in intensive care units, and 58 residents of continuing care facilities.
“As we gradually lift restrictions, we must not forget that this virus can lead to serious outcomes, and that it will be with us for many months to come,” Dr. Hinshaw said.
“While the most severe outcomes of this infection are seen disproportionately in those who are older, or who have other medical conditions, it is important for us to be constantly learning of all the ways that COVID-19 can impact our health.”
Twenty-five new cases have been identified in 3,168 tests completed in the past 24 hours.
Active cases in the North Zone, which includes the Central Peace, Grande Prairie and surrounding communities, rose to 21, with two new cases identified in the City of Grande Prairie.
Below is a breakdown, by health zones, of active COVID-19 cases in Alberta.
- Calgary Zone – 531 active cases (minus 30)
- South Zone – 71 active cases (minus 9)
- Edmonton Zone – 52 active cases (plus 3)
- North Zone – 21 active cases (plus 2)
- Central Zone – 2 active cases (minus 1)
- There are 2 active cases and 22 recovered cases in zones that are yet to be confirmed.
MISC-C
At the same time, Dr. Hinshaw reports that a possible case of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C, is being investigated in Alberta.
Reported cases elsewhere involved children and adolescents with recent infection of COVID-19, with the syndrome seeming to develop several weeks to about a month after an infection, she said.
MIS-C involves inflammation of multiple organs, including the heart, kidneys, blood vessels and nervous system. Fever is a key feature of MIS-C, and other symptoms can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Early information available suggests that the majority of children who have COVID-19 would not be expected to experience the syndrome.
“I know that this new condition might be scary for parents. I worry for my kids, too,” Dr. Hinshsaw said.
“It is important to remember that this condition appears to be rare, and it is treatable.”
MIS-C is similar to an inflammatory disease known as Kawasaki Disease, and responds to treatments such as steroids.