During the May 7th Update, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw Officer announced that Alberta has now surpassed the 6000 mark for confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alberta.

There were 54 new cases over the past 24 hours bringing the province-wide total to 6,017. 

Two new deaths were also reported bringing the death toll to 114.

The number of recovered cases is over half with 3,809 patients in Alberta.

During the update Premier Kenny also spoke on the topic of Alberta's agricultural industry. 

A new fed cattle set-aside program will allow beef producers to hold on to slaughter-ready cattle on maintenance feed ration for several weeks, allowing the supply of animals to more evenly match demand and reduced processing capacity.

Cattle producers will be compensated for the extraordinary costs until the backed-up inventory is cleared. Currently, there are about 130,000 cattle backed up in feedlots as a result of reduced operating capacity at major beef processing plants in Alberta. This comes at a substantial cost to cattle producers.

The Government of Alberta will immediately increase the interim payment under AgriStability from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for the hog sector. This will put up to $25 million in the hands of pork producers immediately. Increasing the advance payment under AgriStability will result in the equivalent of $20 per head for pork producers enrolled in AgriStability.

The closure of most food service outlets across North America has cut the volume for french fries being consumed. In response, the Alberta government will also immediately increase the advance payment under AgriStability from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for the potato industry, to get cash in hands of potato producers immediately. 

“Alberta’s ranchers and producers are known for their resiliency and these programs will ensure they’re able to weather the COVID-19 pandemic and keep providing the high-quality beef, pork and potatoes we’re famous for.”

May 7th new case numbers:

  • 54 new cases of the virus
  • 6,017 total confirmed cases in Alberta 
  • 3,809 total recovered cases
  • 2 new deaths resulting from the virus 
  • 114 total deaths from the virus
  • 174,327 tests have been performed in total

Central Alberta shows the following case numbers, available at alberta.ca.

  • City of Lacombe: 2 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 2 recovered
  • Lacombe County: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • Ponoka County: 2 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 2 recovered
  • County of Wetaskiwin: 0 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 0 recovered
  • City of Wetaskiwin: 8 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 8 recovered
  • Red Deer County: 15 total cases
    • 4 active
    • 11 recovered 
  • City of Red Deer: 36 total cases 
    • 4 active
    • 32 recovered 
  • County of Stettler: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • Mountain View County: 7 total cases
    • 2 active
    • 5 recovered