50 new cases of COVID-19 were reported during Thursday's update, with 1131 active cases still present in the province.

The total number of deaths has risen to 121, with one additional death having occurred in a continuing care facility in the last 24 hours.

65 people are currently being treated in hospital, with 10 in intensive care.

5205 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19.

More information was also given surrounding the reopening of businesses.

With business owners unsure of rules around capacity, between the 15 person gathering rule and the 50 per cent capacity rule, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided some clarification.

"In restaurants that are opening for dine-in service, the maximum number of patrons allowed is 50 per cent of the maximum capacity, with no more than six patrons per table, and two metres of distance between tables. While there could be more than 15 people in that room or business, the expectation is that each table of six is distanced from the others, and that dining parties are not interacting with each other."

No maximum capacity has been set for retail spaces due to the varying sizes of such businesses across the province. Dr. Hinshaw says individual businesses are responsible for ensuring their measures allow patrons to maintain appropriate distance from one another.

Workplaces must also implement policies to address health measures surrounding the pandemic, including a plan to discourage transmission between workers and patrons.

These plans must be submitted to the provincial government within seven days of reopening.

More information for businesses regarding the relaunch can be found here.

For more information on COVID-19 in Alberta, click here.

To view the original conference, click here.

 

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