Another 1,549 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Alberta over the last 24 hours.

There are now 328 people in hospital with 62 in intensive care and five more people have died bringing the total to 476.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the fast rising number of cases means AHS will now only be contacting the most recent positive cases.

"If ten days have passed since an Albertan has received a positive COVID-19 test result, AHS will no longer call these individuals to conduct a case investigation and contact tracing," she says. "Instead these individuals will receive a text message that will notify them to not expect a call and to provide them with guidance on if and when their isolation period has ended."

Everyone in the backlog has received positive notice of their test results and they were already instructed to isolate and to notify their own close contacts by text message.

Dr. Hinshaw says she's sorry that the change means there's now a group of people that will not have the opportunity to have a conversation with AHS to understand where they may have acquired the infection and how better to prevent spreading it further.

She reiterated the need for anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 must stay home and remain distanced from others including their own close contacts, including their own household, until ten days have passed from the start of their symptoms or until their symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.

Premier Jason Kenney will announce new measures to deal with the sharp spike in cases Tuesday.

Vulcan County now has 111 cases while Foothills County is at 67, Okotoks is at 65, High River's at 19 and the MD of Willow Creek sits at 15.

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