Alberta reports 967 new COVID-19 cases as salons prepare to reopen

Alberta discovered 967 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, health officials announced in a live update Thursday.

That number is the highest daily total so far this week, but as Dr. Deena Hinshaw noted, the province’s active case count is falling.

“I want to stress that the situation remains serious,” she said. “Our numbers remain high, and our healthcare system is under significant strain. We must remain diligent.”

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Her warning comes on the same day that Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the province will ease up on some public health restrictions on Monday, January 18. Outdoor gatherings of 10 people or fewer will be allowed again, and personal care services such as hair salons and tattoo shops will be allowed to reopen.

“Our future will depend on Albertans remaining responsible,” Hinshaw said.

There are 806 people in Alberta’s hospitals with COVID-19 infections right now, and 136 of them are in the ICU.

Hinshaw also said 21 more people have died from the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing Alberta’s death toll to 1,389.