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CalgaryTHE LATEST

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Monday, July 13

Premier Jason Kenneyurged Albertans to stay vigilant at a virtual news conferencethisafternoon, after photos of acrowded beach weekend at Sylvan Lake surfaced online and sparked COVID-19 concerns from residents and politicians.

Premier urges Albertans to stay vigilant after sunbathers crowd Sylvan Lake beach

Pictures from Sylvan Lake show the beached crowded with people on Saturday, sparking some COVID-19 concerns and an online uproar. (Supplied by Greg Dickson)

The latest:

  • Premier Jason Kenneyurged Albertans to stay vigilant at a virtual news conferencethisafternoon, after photos of acrowdedbeach weekend at Sylvan Lake surfaced online and sparked COVID-19 concerns from residents and politicians.
  • Kenney said the rate of COVID-19 relatedhospitalizations in Alberta aretrending downward, with 45 patients currently in hospital and 10 in the ICU.
  • As of this morning, A&W, Tim Hortons and McDonald's restaurants with drive-thruswill again be offering packages of free masks to customers in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Dr. Deena Hinshaw, PremierKenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandroeach emphasized the importance of wearing masks especially in public indoor spaces to help contain the spread of COVID-19.
  • Hinshaw said that cases of COVID-19 in Alberta are increasing, with 54new cases reported on Friday, 96 new cases on Saturdayand 80 new cases on Sunday.
  • There are currently676 active cases in Alberta, and7,989 people have recovered.
  • While the provincial government's economic recovery plan is moving forward, Kenney said there is no target date for Stage 3 of reopening due to the"concerning" increase in cases of COVID-19 over the weekend.
  • Alberta universities plan to do away with dormitory residencesin favour of apartment-style housing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it'll cost the students plenty.
  • Fort McKay First Nation Chief Mel Grandjamb says masks are now mandatory after the northern Alberta community learned of its first case ofCOVID-19.
  • Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshiis considering bringing a draftbylaw tomakemasks mandatory in certain situations.

What you need to know today in Alberta:

Premier Jason Kenneyurged Albertans to stay vigilant at a virtual news conferencethisafternoon, after photos of acrowded beach weekend at Sylvan Lake surfaced online and sparked COVID-19 concerns from residents and politicians.

Aninfectious disease expert at the University of Calgary saidthe pictures are worrisome as the risk is still "quite high" in such gatherings. He said they indicate"COVID fatigue" people appearing to losetrack of public health guidelines that exist as a condition of the province's relaunch plan.

Hinshaw said that cases of COVID-19 in Alberta are increasing, with 54new cases reported Friday, 96 new cases Saturdayand 80 new cases Sunday.While the provincial government's economic recovery plan is moving forward, Kenney said there is no target date for Stage 3 of reopening due to the"concerning" increase in cases of COVID-19 over the weekend.

Hinshaw,Kenney andShandroeach emphasized the importance of wearing masks especially in public indoor spaces to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

A&W, Tim Hortons and McDonald's restaurants with drive-thrusare again offering free packages of the masks to customers in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.About 20 million non-medical, single-use masks will be served up atmore than 600 outlets across Alberta, the province said in a statement.

Masks will also be provided to municipalities without access to the participating restaurants, including First Nations and Mtissettlements, places of worship, transit services, shelters and long-term care facilities.

Alberta universities plan to do away with dormitory residencesin favour of apartment-style housing during COVID-19 pandemic and the move comes with a costincrease of $3,000for students at the University of Calgary. According to the university's website, meal plans are not included.

Fort McKay First Nation Chief Mel Grandjamb says masks are now mandatory after the community learned of its first case ofCOVID-19.Trips into and out of the First Nation will be limited to one per day, and travel within the community is strongly discouraged.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has mused about the possibility of making masks mandatory in certain situations and says he could bring forward a draft bylaw to council on July 20.

That move would join Calgary with three other major Canadian cities in making masks mandatory. Here are some of the top questions and answerswhen it comes to how a mandatory mask bylaw might work and whether the science supports it.

Meanwhile, Edmonton has been chosen as a hub city for the NHL's return, with the league choosing cities that largely have their coronavirus outbreaks under control when compared to United States counterparts.

Calgary's mayor is musing about the possibility of making masks mandatory in certain situations and says he could bring forward a draft bylaw to council on July 20. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

As of Monday, this was the breakdown of active cases across the province:

  • Calgary zone:267.
  • Edmonton zone:199.
  • South zone:110.
  • North zone:53.
  • Central zone:35.
  • Unknown:12.
This map shows the number of tests and total confirmed cases in various regions of Alberta as of Thursday, July 9. (CBC News)

What you need to know today in Canada:

As the volume of travellers entering Canada through the U.S. has increased in recent weeks, public health officials are being placed at land borders to bolster screening for COVID-19.

As of 6:30 a.m.ET on Monday, Canada had 107,590 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 71,467of those as recovered or resolved. ACBC News tallyof deaths based on provincial reports, regional health information and CBC's reporting stood at 8,819.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce plans for Stage 3 of the province'sreopening today.According to a document released in late April, Stage 3 includes allowing remaining workplaces to reopen "safely," further relaxing restrictions on public gatherings and likely reopening outdoor playgrounds. Thespread of COVID-19 continues to slow in Ontario, with new daily case numbers having steadily declined over the last five weeks.

Masks or face coverings willsoon be mandatory in all indoor public spaces across Quebec, Radio-Canada has confirmed. Premier Franois Legault is expected to make the announcement at a news conference at 1 p.m. ET.

Newfoundland and Labrador has reportedits first new case of coronavirusin 43 days. The patient isa man in his 50s who had recently returned from the United States, according to the government.

Self-assessment and supports:

Alberta Health Services has an online self-assessment tool that you can use to determine if you have symptoms of COVID-19, but testing is open to anyone, even without symptoms.

The province says Albertans who have returned to Canada from other countries must self-isolate. Unless your situation is critical and requires a call to 911, Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 before visiting a physician, hospital or other health-care facility.

If you have symptoms, even mild, you are to self-isolate for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms, until the symptoms have disappeared.

You can find Alberta Health Services' latest coronavirus updates here.

The province also operates a confidential mental health support line at 1-877-303-2642 and addiction help line at 1-866-332-2322, available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Online resources are available for advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

There is a 24-hour family violence information line at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages, and Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.