During the June 8th COVID-19 update, Minister of Health, Tyler Shandro announced that online healthcare will continue to be accessible in the future even when the threat of COVID-19 has passed.  

“These billing codes allow patient visits, consultations, and mental health services to be provided over the phone or through secure video conference,” said Shandro.  

In-person care will continue to be provided to patients. All existing rules and rates for virtual care will also remain. 

The case numbers for the June 8th update represent the last 48 hours as the province’s surveillance team took the day off on June 7th. As such, they did not provide an update on that day.  

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw noted a new outbreak at the Sofina Foods Processing facility in Edmonton where six cases have been confirmed. All those who have the illness and their contacts are now isolating at home and AHS is now assisting now the facility. 

“These cases are part of a small jump in COVID numbers in Edmonton. Some of which are related to the ongoing spread of from several social events where transmission happened over the last few weeks,” said Hinshaw. 

The doctor wants to encourage Albertans that proper handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a mask is still important even when there are fewer cases. 

“With the slowdown in cases in Alberta, I know it has been tempting to believe that we can relax all precautions. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It is critical that all of us continue to take steps to protect our communities,” explained Hinshaw. 

As many people, took to the streets in groups this weekend to demonstrate their support for the Black Lives Matter protests throughout Alberta, Dr. Hinshaw thanked many protestors who wore masks and kept a safe distance. She asks that all those attending protests get asymptomatic testing for COVID-19. 

“I want to encourage all those who went protesting this weekend to go for COVID-19 testing whether or not you have symptoms. Contact tracing would be extremely difficult in crowds such as this so please also be mindful of your actions in the coming two weeks. Pay particular attention to staying two meters away from others,” said Hinshaw. 

She has reached out to the protest organizers to restructure protests so that those attending are able to express their opinions and keep others safe from the spread of the virus. 

The doctor remains to be concerned about the state of mental health of Albertans struggling with the realities of the pandemic and urges those who are struggling to call for help. 

“We are starting to get information on some of the mental health issues emerging from this pandemic. It is clear that this crisis has taken a toll,” said Dr. Hinshaw. 

She asks those who are struggling to call the Mental Health Helpline or the Addiction Helpline if needed. If you are requiring assistance at this time, click here. If you have thoughts of suicide please call 9-1-1. 

The Health Quality Council of Alberta is also conducting a survey in order to understand other people’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey can be found here.

The next availability with Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw will be on Wednesday, June 10th.

June 8th new case numbers:

  • 64 new cases of the virus
  • 355 active cases in Alberta
  • 44 people are hospitalized with COVID-19
  • 6 people have been admitted to ICU’s with COVID-19
  • 6,698 total recovered cases
  • 3 new deaths in the last 24 hours
  • 149 total deaths from the virus 
  • 11,025 tests completed in the last 24 hours 
  • 298,696 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
  • Red Deer County: 12 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 12 recovered
  • City of Red Deer: 35 total cases 
    • 0 active
    • 35 recovered 
  • Sylvan Lake: 2 total cases
    • 0 active cases
    • 2 recovered 
  • Ponoka County: 2 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 2 recovered
  • County of Wetaskiwin: 0 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 0 recovered
  • City of Wetaskiwin: 7 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 7 recovered
  • County of Stettler: 3 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 3 recovered
  • Mountain View County: 4 total cases
    • 0 active
    • 4 recovered