During the May 6th Update, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw Officer addressed the reopening of Cargill on May 4th. Hinshaw assured Albertans that Cargill’s reopening will be done so in a manner that will ensure the safety of Albertans. 

“To help prevent the spread in the communities themselves, we’ve established assessment centres for staff and community members in both Brooks and High River. Testing is being offered to all workers in outbreaks including those without symptoms,” said Dr. Hinshaw. 

To read more about the province's food processing plants, click here. 

Dr. Hinshaw noted that if Albertans feel their safety concerns are not being addressed by their employer, she recommends contacting the Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre. 

Additionally, the doctor voiced her concerns about lifting social restrictions in the coming weeks.  

“As we look forward to resuming normal activities this May it is critical that Albertans including workers continue to maintain physical distancing, practice good hand hygiene, and sanitizing measures both at the worksite as well as outside the worksite. Employers are required to put measures in place to protect their employees from spread,” said Dr. Hinshaw 

With fewer cases being announced day to day, Dr. Hinshaw believes the province may be finally flattening curve. 

“I think we can take the reduction in the numbers cautiously as good news. We certainly want to see that, but I think we are still watching really closely because we know that depending on the setting, even a few cases can spread quickly to others if there are groups gathered together where prevention measures are not being taken,” said Hinshaw. 

After the relaunch, Dr. Hinshaw is prepared to see a slight increase in case numbers. Lifting restrictions will be adjusted if the doctor sees a steep increase, or rise in hospitalizations. 

May 6th new case numbers:


  • 70 new cases of the virus
  • 5,963 total confirmed cases in Alberta 
  • 3,552 total recovered cases
  • 6 new deaths resulting from the virus 
  • 112 total deaths from the virus
  • 3,494 tests completed in the last 24 hours 
  • 170,509 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: 13 total cases
    • 2 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