Alberta records 1,286 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths from the virus

Alberta reported 1,286 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and 10 more deaths, bringing the total number of deaths from the disease in the province to 851.

There are 19,201 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. The province reported 760 people in hospital being treated for the virus, including 149 in intensive care.

In the last 24 hours, the province recorded  the completion of 17,956 tests for COVID-19.

Here is how Alberta's active case total breaks down across the province:

• Calgary zone: 6,853
• Edmonton zone: 9,154
• North zone: 1,107
• South zone: 477
• Central zone: 1,508
• Unknown: 102

The new deaths in Alberta include:

1. Dec. 15. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at Capital Care Lynnwood in Edmonton.
2. Dec. 15. A woman in her 90s linked to the outbreak at St. Michael's Long-term Care Centre in Edmonton.
3. Dec. 17. A woman in her 70s in Central zone.
4. Dec. 18. A woman in her 90s linked to the outbreak at Devonshire Village in Edmonton.
5. Dec. 18. A man in his 80s linked to the outbreak at Seniors Housing Beverly Place in Edmonton.
6. Dec. 18. A woman in her 80s linked to the outbreak at Points West Living in Central zone.
7. Dec. 18. A woman in her 60s in South zone.
8. Dec. 19. A man in his 70s linked to the outbreak at Agecare Skypointe in Calgary.
9. Dec. 19. A man  in his 70s linked to the outbreak at the Winnifred Stewart adult group home residence in Edmonton.
10. Dec. 19. A man in his 70s in Calgary zone.

On Sunday, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro said on Twitter that 2,148 health-care workers have received their first shots of the COVID-19 vaccine. In total, Alberta has received 3,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Shandro said another 25,350 doses are expected to arrive in Alberta this week.

The province said earlier this week it plans to administer doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to 29,000 health-care workers by the end of the month.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said Wednesday that in the first quarter of 2021 the vaccine will be given to long-term care residents and staff, health-care workers in the highest-risk areas of hospitals and people who are 75 years old or older.

The province is also expanding rapid testing for COVID-19 to long-term care facilities, rural hospitals and urban homeless shelters, Shandro said Thursday. The first deployment of rapid testing will be to long-term care facilities in Edmonton that are contending with COVID-19 outbreaks.