Three more people have died in Alberta long-term cares home after contracting COVID-19, according to the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
It raises the province’s death toll to 92. The fatalities are part of its 5,573 total cases, after 218 new patients were identified in the last 24 hours. There are also 2,359 people who have recovered, an increase of 198, while 86 of Alberta’s cases are in hospital, including 22 in intensive care.
A new outbreak has been gaining traction with five cases now linked to the Amazon warehouse in Balzac, just north of Calgary. The fulfillment facility handles online marketplace orders for the e-commerce company. On April 12, the Amazon warehouse reported its first confirmed case among more than 1,000 full-time workers.
“It is not yet clear if all five are linked with a common exposure. We have just received this outbreak confirmation,” said Hinshaw.
In addition, there are now 580 cases at continuing care facilities, which is up by 36 since yesterday. The Cargill meat processing plant in High River now has 921 infections of COVID-19 among workers (up by 13), while there are 390 cases linked to the JBS meat-packing plant in Brooks, Alta. (up by 57).
Two new cases have also been discovered at Alpha House in Calgary, which provides a safe living environment for individuals dealing with substance abuse problems.