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Here's where Alberta's COVID-19 'watch' zones are

With Alberta now coping with a significant rise in active COVID-19 cases over the past week, health officials have designated 15 areas in the province as being under a “watch” for an elevated risk of the spread of the virus.

15 areas have a rate of over 50 active cases per 100,000 population

CBC News ·
As of July 24, Alberta Health has 15 regions around the province under a 'watch' for COVID-19, which means a rate of more than 50 cases per 100,000 people. (The Canadian Press/NIAID-RML via AP)

With Alberta now coping with a significant rise in active COVID-19 cases over the past week, health officials have designated 15 areas in the province as being under a "watch" for an elevated risk of the spread of the virus.

Alberta reported two new deaths and 111 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 1,341 active cases of the illness.

As of Friday, 95 people were being treated in hospital for the disease, with 19 of them in ICU beds.

Two weeks earlier, there were just seven COVID-19 patients in ICU.

While Calgary's numbers have been climbing fastest in Alberta, rural areas are also seeing bigger numbers. The central zone, which has not seen high case numbers so far, now has 29 people in hospital.

This map from Alberta Health shows which regions in the province have been placed in the watch category for COVID-19 infections. (Alberta Health)

A "watch" designation means provincial officials are monitoring the risk and discussing with local officials and other community leaders the possible need for additional health measures, according Alberta Health's website.

Regions with at least 10 active cases and a rate of over 50 active cases per 100,000 population are considered to meet the threshold for "watch."

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The level above that — "enhanced" — triggers additional health measures to control the spread of the virus. However, no regions are currently listed in this category.

Three areas in Calgary and one in Edmonton are under watches. In addition, there are 11 areas in others parts of the province designated as under watch. The following list shows the rates of active cases per 100,000 people in the 15 areas:

  • Mackenzie County: 182  (active cases 44, population 24,171).
  • Clear Hills County: 366.9  (active cases 11, population 2,998).
  • County Of Stettler No. 6: 192.8  (active cases 24, population 12,449).
  • County Of Paintearth No. 18: 253.3  (active cases: 10, population: 3,947).
  • Kneehill County: 100.8  (active cases 11, population 10,909).
  • Starland County: 830  (active cases 16, population 1,928).
  • Wheatland County: 668  (active cases 45, population 6,737).
  • M.D. of Willow Creek No. 26: 121.8  (active cases 20, population 16,427).
  • M.D. of Pincher Creek No. 9: 144.5  (active cases 12, population 8,302).
  • Cardston County: 109.4  (active cases 18, population 16,459).
  • M.D. of Taber: 74.2  (active cases 14, population 18,863).
  • Edmonton-Duggan: 116.3  (active cases 44, population 40,428).
  • Calgary-Centre: 95.2  (active cases 63, population 66,198).
  • Calgary-Elbow: 102.9  (active cases 42, population 40,835).
  • Calgary-Upper N.E.: 56.5  (active cases 65, population 114,978).

Clarifications

  • An earlier version of this article listed Alberta's number of confirmed cases as its number of active cases.
    Jul 25, 2020 8:10 AM MT
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