Central Alberta continues to escape the worst of COVID-19

Information from covid19stats.alberta.ca

Central Alberta is now reporting 88 cases of COVID-19. That’s up just 5 cases in the last week. As the province begins to talk about “relaunching” our economy there is yet to be a single case of COVID-19 in four counties and one municipal district. The untouched counties with no cases appear in grey on the provincial map. They are Flagstaff and Starland Counties, as well as the Counties of Wetaskiwin and Paintearth. The Rural Municipality of Provost is also yet to see it’s first case.

The City of Red Deer now has 6 active cases and there are now 2 active cases in Red Deer County. Of the 88 cases in Central Alberta, 13 are active. The only fatality so far in Central Alberta was a woman in her 80’s from Camrose.

Here’s the Central Alberta breakdown. They are listed by the number of ‘active’ cases in each region.

Red Deer City – 36 cases – 6 active
Red Deer County – 13 cases – 2 active
Vermilion River County – 3 cases – 2 active
Wetaskiwin City – 8 cases – 1 active
Mountain View County – 6 cases – 1 active
Clearwater County – 2 cases – 1 active
Stettler County – 3 cases – 0 active
Lacombe County – 3 cases – 0 active
Ponoka County – 2 cases – 0 active
Kneehill County – 2 cases – 0 active
Camrose City – 2 cases – 1 death – 0 active
Lacombe City – 2 cases – 0 active
Beaver County – 2 cases – 0 active
City of Lloydminster – 1 case – 0 active
Camrose County – 1 case – 0 active
Minburn County – 1 case – 0 active
MD of Wainwright – 1 case – 0 active

The following table is new information provided by the province. It shows the number of people who’ve been tested in each region. So far 12,341 people have been tested in the Central Region. With 88 total cases that means the percentage of positive test results is under 1%. Very good news in this region.

The next graph shows is definitely heading in the right direction. The gold line representing the number of active cases shows a defined dip in the number of active cases and the increase in recovered cases (green line) is getting very close. When those lines cross it will mean there are more recovered cases in the province than active cases.

The next graph shows us the rate of people in hospital around Alberta is decreasing in all regions. A nice trend!

Here are the number of healthcare workers who have become infected with the COVID-19 virus. Of the 88 total cases in Central Alberta, 11 are among our beloved healthcare workers. 2 of those cases are active today. Fortunately no Alberta healthcare worker has died to this point.

Here are the total numbers for every region in the province.

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Related Topics:Central Alberta covid-19 update COVID-19 feature

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Duane Rolheiser

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta

Province boosts development strategies at Regional Airports

Published on April 7, 2024

Government of Alberta

Proposed area for development at Red Deer Regional Airport highlighted by bright colours

Building Alberta’s regional airport network

Alberta’s government is investing $1.13 million to support the development of regional airports across the province.

Alberta’s regional airports connect people, create jobs and help local businesses reach new markets. This investment will facilitate the growth of the province’s regional airport network, enabling the seamless movement of people and goods, and creating more opportunities for municipalities and local industry to thrive.

“Alberta’s aviation industry plays an important role in strengthening and diversifying our economy by expanding access to markets and creating jobs in the province. Regional airports are key assets in supporting the air sector and the movement of people. This investment will support the growth of Alberta’s regional airports and help restore and develop connections between our regional and international airports.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

The grant funding will support 10 regional airports in developing business cases and feasibility studies for improved airport infrastructure and air transportation. The projects will allow the airports to identify, explore and prioritize improvements and opportunities to increase their economic competitiveness, such as increasing the number of air carriers or the efficiency of aircraft movement to bolster the economic output of regional airports.

“Regional airports play a critical role in keeping Alberta connected and our economy growing. We are working with our partners to ensure all corners of the province are in the best position to attract job-creating investment and opportunities from around the world for all Albertans.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

The grants include $120,000 to the Red Deer Regional Airport for a land development strategy, which will inform the airport about how it can leverage infrastructure and facility improvements, such as terminal expansion and airside land development, that will better position the airport as a hub for economic activity.

“The continued support from the province positions the Red Deer Regional Airport as a compelling and competitive location to do business. Now more than ever, we are primed to attract new investment opportunities, create jobs and strengthen central Alberta’s economic landscape.”

Jim Wood, mayor, Red Deer County

The funded projects vary in scope and size depending on the specific needs of each airport. They include exploring airport certification to support scheduled air services, airport commercial development, commercial air services, hangar development and development of strategic business cases to restore regional airports’ positions as primary transportation hubs.

“CAEP is proud to showcase the importance of the Red Deer Regional Airport as a true ’hub‘ in the Central Alberta Region. Transportation is critical to a thriving region that leads to sophisticated manufacturing, technological innovation and investment attraction to enhance and support our economic corridors. Continued growth at the RDRA is proof that the region is thriving and a ’destination of choice‘ for investment.”

Tracy Gardner, executive director, Central Alberta Economic Partnership

The projects will also support the creation of an air service business case to attract new airlines, analyzing highest-need routes, determining baseline capacities of airport infrastructure, and identifying capital asset rehabilitation and replacement requirements.

“Regional airports support economic development and serve as a hub for emergency services for rural Alberta. The funding provided today will benefit many rural communities and represents a strong step in maintaining Alberta’s rural transportation network.”

Kara Westerlund, vice president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta

This investment demonstrates Alberta’s commitment to growing the aviation sector and diversifying the economy. Alberta’s government will continue working closely with regional airports to ensure they are drivers of economic growth in the province.

Quick facts

A total of $1,129,424 is being provided to support 10 regional airports:

Cold Lake Regional Airport

Feasibility Study for Airport Certification to Support Scheduled Air Services – $144,000

Whitecourt Airport

Commercial Development Feasibility Study – $78,684

Lloydminster Municipal Airport

Commercial Air Services Feasibility Study – $113,988

Peace River Regional Airport

Peace River Airport Master Plan – $57,552

Lethbridge Airport

Hangar Development Feasibility Study and Business Case – $150,000

High Level Airport

High Level Airport Master Plan – $56,000

Red Deer Regional Airport

Land Development Strategy and Implementation Plan – $120,000

Medicine Hat Regional Airport

Feasibility and Business Case for Airport Growth and Development – $150,000

Grande Prairie Airport

Canadian Border Services Agency Facilities Study – $140,000

Fort McMurray International Airport

Business Case to Recapture Lost Passenger Traffic – $119,200

Alberta

Doubling surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House

Published on April 7, 2024

Government of Alberta

Rural Albertans will be able to access surgeries quicker and closer to home now that the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is complete.

The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre has been providing residents with health care since 1971, including surgical services. Alberta Infrastructure has completed an addition to the facility, which includes a new operating room. This will enable approximately 120 Albertans per month to receive surgery, doubling the number of monthly surgeries. This additional, brand-new operating room is also expected to decrease the wait lists for surgeries.

The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre provides an additional 440 square metres (4,736 square feet) and includes:

a new operating room,
6 additional recovery beds,
a patient support area, and
an updated medical device reprocessing department.

The new spaces can be accessed from the existing site thanks to the addition of an upgraded hallway that connects the two buildings.

“Completing the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is a significant step forward in delivering Alberta Surgical Initiative projects province wide. This investment into health care infrastructure will increase surgical capacity, helping Albertans get treatment when and where they need it.”

Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure

The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre upgrade is part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI), which aims to enhance surgical capacity across the province by expanding and maximizing existing health care space. Over the next three years, the 2024 Capital Plan is providing $313 million for ASI projects throughout the province.

Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health Services share the responsibility for delivering ASI projects. Alberta Health Services leads the delivery of smaller projects, while Alberta Infrastructure delivers capital projects over $5 million.

“Albertans deserve timely access to surgeries, and they should be able to get them close to home. The expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will increase its capacity so more Albertans can get the surgeries they need when they need them. Through the Alberta Surgical Initiative, we are improving access to surgical care and funding projects across the province, including in rural communities like Rocky Mountain House.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

Alberta Infrastructure is working on 20 ASI projects in communities across Alberta, including Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Innisfail, Lethbridge, Olds, Ponoka, St. Albert and Stettler. Lethbridge will be the next community to benefit from a completed ASI project. The expansion of two operating rooms and more surgical inpatient rooms at the Chinook Regional Hospital is anticipated to be completed later this fall.

“The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will help ensure more residents can access surgeries and receive the care they need in a timely manner. Investments like these in rural Alberta matter and I’d like to thank Minister Guthrie and Minister LaGrange for delivering on this project that will double our surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House.”

Jason Nixon, MLA, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre

Quick facts

The total budget for the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre ASI project was $15 million.
This Alberta Infrastructure project was completed on time and on budget. Approximately 85 construction-related jobs were created during the project.
In addition to the new building, other renovations include new mechanical and electrical building systems.
Alberta Infrastructure is managing other ASI projects at the following locations: