LAKELAND - The Lakeland region is showing a decrease in the number of active COVID-19 cases compared to a week ago.
The St. Paul area has been showing the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in the area, exceeding 150 cases earlier in the month, according to the Government of Alberta map. But, that number has now dropped to 88 active cases.
Smoky Lake area, directly to the west of the County of St. Paul region, also noted a drop in cases. There are now 49 active cases in that region, down from the 91 reported the previous weekend. But, the region is showing three deaths, according to the map.
Lac La Biche is showing 32 active cases, with the map now showing two deaths in that region. To the west, the Athabasca region is showing 46 active cases.
In the Bonnyville area, there are now 46 active cases, and in the Cold Lake area there are 38 active cases.
To the south, the County of Two Hills is down to 23 active cases, but the region has reported two deaths.
Vaccines & looking ahead
The first doses of COVID-19 vaccines were given in Alberta last Tuesday.
During the Dec. 15 provincial update, Premier Jason Kenney described the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines as "wonderfully good news."
Sahra Kaahiye, a respiratory therapist at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, along with Tanya Harvey, an intensive care nurse at the Foothills Medical Centre Cell in Calgary, were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
But, the Premier also noted that Albertans aren't out of the woods yet - and won't be for a few months. He said the situation will continue to be reassessed weekly, and monthly.
The current strict measures announced last week to slow the spread of COVID-19 are still meant to be in place for four weeks. At the end of those four weeks, the province will reassess and respond accordingly.
When asked about a timeline, Kenney said he believes Albertans can realistically hope for further relaxation of measures as we move from spring to summer.
Edmonton and Calgary
The Government of Alberta also announced new outreach programs and supports specifically for communities with very high rates of COVID-19 infection and transmission. Eleven communities in Edmonton and Calgary have been identified by the province.
Starting Dec. 15, a number of new programs and supports are available to residents in these communities.
*Story was updated on Dec. 20 to reflect new case numbers
