LAKELAND - The St. Paul region is reporting its first COVID-related death, while the neighbouring Smoky Lake region is showing three deaths due to the respiratory virus.
The Government of Alberta updated its COVID-19 map on Monday afternoon, which is accurate according to numbers received by the province as of the end of day on Dec. 27.
St. Paul is showing 52 active cases of the virus, and Smoky Lake is showing 47 active cases.
The neighbouring region labelled as the MD of Bonnyville is now showing 73 active cases, and Cold Lake is showing 58 active cases. There have been no reported COVID-related deaths in either region.
The Lac La Biche region is showing just 19 active cases, but has recorded two deaths since the pandemic began.
To the south of St. Paul, the Two Hills region has dropped below 10 active cases. But, that region has also reported two deaths during the pandemic.
112 deaths reported
During Monday's update, it was noted that the province has surpassed 1,000 deaths due to COVID-19.
“Today, we learned that 112 more people lost their lives to COVID-19, meaning that our province has now lost more than 1,000 Albertans to this pandemic," said Premier Jason Kenney in a statement. "This tragic milestone is more than a number or statistic. It represents more than 1,000 mothers, wives, fathers, husbands – empty spaces around the table that can never be filled. Each one means that there is a family that is grieving, a friend who has lost someone they loved, a child who lost their parent, a partner who lost their true love."
Kenney added, "To all those who are grieving, Alberta grieves with you. Words cannot ease the pain caused by this loss, and I know it seems unfair that public safety measures mean we cannot say a proper goodbye to those who mean so much to us. This is part of COVID-19’s heartbreaking cost. It is why we must all work together to support those who have lost someone and do all we can to spare others from experiencing this grief."
Kenney noted that as of Monday, more than 6,000 Albertans have received their first vaccine doses for COVID-19. He also renewed a call for Albertans to abide by the public health measures in place.
"We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And so on this grim day, I ask all Albertans to double down on our public health measures. Let’s prevent as many Albertans as we can from experiencing the same pain and loss that so many already have.”
