Alberta reports 26 additional deaths due to COVID-19 on Saturday

Alberta reported 26 more deaths due to COVID-19 on Saturday, the second highest single-day total in Alberta since the pandemic began, along with 1,352 new cases of the disease.

The 26 additional deaths reported on Saturday comes two days after the province reported 30 deaths on Thursday from COVID-19, the most in a single day since the pandemic began. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 has now increased to 841.

The province also reported 18,502 tests were performed in the last 24 hours. As of Saturday, there were 777 people in hospital due to COVID-19, including151 in intensive care.

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There are now 19,260 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. Here's the regional breakdown of active cases in Alberta:

• Calgary zone: 6,943

• Edmonton zone: 9,174

• North zone: 1,122

• South zone: 479

• Central zone: 1,450

• Unknown: 92

The new deaths include:

1. Dec. 7. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facility in Edmonton zone.

2. Dec. 7. A manin his 80s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facilityin Edmonton zone.

3. Dec. 12. A manin his 90s linked to the outbreak at a supportive living home in Edmonton zone.

4. Dec. 13. A womanin her 90s Edmonton zone.

5. Dec. 15. A woman in her 80s linked to the outbreak at a supportive living home in Edmonton zone.

6. Dec. 15. A manin his 80s linked to the outbreak at a supportive living home in Edmonton zone.

7. Dec. 16. A manin his 60s in Edmonton zone.

8. Dec. 16. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at a supportive care home in Edmonton zone.

9. Dec. 16. A womanin her 80s linked to the outbreak at a supportive care home in Edmonton zone.

10. Dec. 17. A man in his 70s linked to the outbreak at an acute care facility in North zone.

11. Dec. 17. A manin his 90s linked to the outbreak at supportive living home in Edmonton zone.

12. Dec. 17. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facility in Edmonton zone.

13. Dec. 17. A womanin her 90s linked to the outbreak at a supportive living home in Edmonton zone.

14. Dec. 17. A womanin her 50s linked to the outbreak at an acute care facility in Central zone.

15. Dec. 17. A manin his 80s in Calgary zone.

16. Dec. 18. A manin his 80s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facility in Edmonton zone.

17. Dec. 18, A womanin her 80s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facility in Edmonton zone.

18. Dec. 18. A womanin her 90s linked to the outbreak at a supportive care home in Edmonton zone.

19. Dec. 18. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at an acute care facility in Edmonton zone.

20. Dec. 18. A womanin her80s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facility in Edmonton zone.

21. Dec. 18. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at a supportive care home in Edmonton zone.

22. Dec. 18. A womanin her 60s linked to the outbreak at asupportive care home in Calgary zone.

23. Dec. 18. A manin his 80s linked to the outbreak at a supportive care home in Calgary zone.

24. Dec. 18 A womanin her 80s in Calgary zone.

25. Dec. 18.A womanin her 60s linked to the outbreak at a supportive care home in Calgary zone.

26.Dec. 18. A womanin her 90s linked to the outbreak at a long-term care facility in Calgary zone.

On Friday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, encouraged Albertans to follow public health restrictions over the weekend despite the Christmas rush.

"I know many people are still busy preparing for the holidays and shopping for groceries and gifts, but we all need to do so in the safest manner possible. Do not try to crowd into malls or stores," Hinshaw said duringa newsconference.

Hinshaw warned that Alberta could easily see well beyond 2,000 new cases per day within a few weeks after the holidays, if Christmas proves to be "an accelerating factor."