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Further cases of COVID-19 have been identified at Jasper's hospital and seniors home.

The outbreak at Seton - Jasper Healthcare Centre was declared on Nov. 27 when four cases were identified there. As of Dec. 7, five individuals associated with the facility had tested positive.

At Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge, there are now eight confirmed cases. The first case was reported on Nov. 29, triggering an outbreak to be declared. By Dec. 4 there were five cases, and a further three were identified Dec. 7.

Kristen Chambers, CAO of the Evergreens Foundation, the operators of Alpine Summit, said all staff and residents have been tested and anyone who develops even mild symptoms after the original testing will be tested a second time. She said this testing will be ongoing throughout the outbreak as required.

As of Dec. 7, all staff have been instructed to wear either face shields or medical goggles in addition to their medical masks. This is an additional measure to all other infection control measures currently in place.

Chambers said visitors are discouraged from entering the lodge, but designated family or support persons can request to scheduled a visit and they will be managed on a case by case basis.

There are currently in Jasper, with seven new cases and two recoveries reported today (Dec. 8)

Expanded health measures in Alberta

New health measures have been announced for Alberta to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

As of today (Dec. 8), all indoor and outdoor social gatherings – public and private – are prohibited, and masks are now mandatory in all indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home.

And further restrictions come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Places of worship

• All places of worship will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance.
  • Virtual or online services are strongly encouraged.
  • Drive-in services where individuals do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance will be permissible and are not subject to capacity restrictions.
  • Mandatory mask mandate, physical distancing and other guidelines remain in place.

Retail

• Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of five customers permitted.
  • Curbside pickup, delivery and online services are encouraged.
• Shopping malls will be limited to 15 per cent of fire code occupancy.  

Closures

• Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to in-person service.
  • Only takeout, curbside pickup and delivery services are permitted.
• Casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions, and private clubs will be closed.
• Recreational facilities – fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas, gyms, studios, day and overnight camps, indoor rinks and arenas – will be closed.
• Outdoor recreation is permitted, but facilities with indoor spaces except for washrooms will be closed.
• Entertainment businesses and entities – libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks and water parks – will be closed.
• Hotels may remain open but must follow restrictions – no spas, pools or in-person dining. Room services only.
• Personal and wellness services, including hair salons, nail salons, massage, tattoos, and piercing, will be closed.
• Outdoor skating rinks and ski hills will be allowed to remain open, but must follow restrictions.

Health services, including physiotherapy or acupuncture, social or protective services, shelters for vulnerable persons, emergency services, child care, and not-for-profit community kitchens or charitable kitchens will remain open for in-person attendance.

Work from home

• Mandatory work from home measures will be implemented unless the employer determines that work requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness.

Closures – ongoing from Nov. 27

• Entertainment businesses and entities – community halls and centres, indoor children's play centres and indoor playgrounds, theatres, auditoriums, concert halls, and community theatres, nightclubs, banquet halls and conference centres, indoor and outdoor festivals, concerts with the exception of drive-in events, tradeshows, and sporting events or competitions, remain closed.

These restrictions will be in place for a minimum of four weeks.