Alberta reports 474 new COVID-19 cases as Hinshaw urges caution

Jan 18 2021, 11:13 pm

Alberta reported 474 new COVID-19 infections on Monday while Dr. Deena Hinshaw urged residents to continue being responsible as restrictions relax.

The daily case count is less than Friday’s 967 cases and Thursday’s 875.

Health officials have responded to slowing infection rates by allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people again, and allowing personal care businesses to reopen starting Monday.

“Please continue to take every precaution you can,” Hinshaw said at a news conference Monday. “Make choices that will help lead us in a direction where we can safely relax more measures in the weeks ahead.”

Another 11 people died of the virus within the last 24 hours. Hinshaw put that number in context by noting Alberta’s average yearly death toll from influenza is 58. That means COVID-19 deaths accounted for one fifth of that total in just one day.

“It’s a painful reminder to us all of the seriousness of the virus and the need to protect ourselves and each other from it,” Hinshaw said.

 

Megan DevlinMegan Devlin

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