COVID-19

Slowly but surely, COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to increase across the Northwestern Health Unit and are similar to the provincial numbers.

The numbers for those aged 18 and older are 82.3 per cent that have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 73.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Compared to the provincial rates for the same age group where 82.4 per cent have gotten one dose and 74.7 per cent have gotten both doses.

Bow Valley College is following suit of other post-secondary institutions with a mask mandate for the upcoming Fall Term. 

In a statement, Bow Valley College says, "Keeping our students and employees healthy and safe continues to be our top priority. In recognition of that, Bow Valley College will mandate wearing masks indoors on all of our campuses effective August 19." 

The college also strongly advises students and employees to get immunized but vaccination is not mandatory. 

The rise of COVID-19 numbers in Alberta continues with 678 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. 

Hospitalizations rose by eight to 184 and ICU admissions saw an increase of four for a total of 48. 

Two additional deaths have brought the total to 2,338. 

The province now has 5,933 active cases. 

Vaccination rates are not rising as quickly as cases with 77 per cent of Albertans having received one dose of COVID vaccine. 

To date, 68.2 per cent of the population are fully immunized with two shots. 

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers as of August 17, 2021.

The City of Grande Prairie now has 316 active cases of the virus, while the County of Grande Prairie numbers are at 102.

As of August 17, 2021, Alberta has 5,933 active cases of COVID-19.

Hospitalizations have risen to a seven-week high with 184 in hospital, and a total of 48 in intensive care. 

There was a very slight rise in vaccinations across the province with 77 per cent of the population having received one shot, and 68.2 per cent of Albertans are now fully immunized.

The Northwestern Health Unit has reported zero new positive COVID-19 test results in the district.

Currently, there are seven active cases in the NWHU catchment area. Six active cases in the Kenora Health Region and one active case in the Rainy River Health Region.

The NWHU has confirmed that four active cases from the Kenora Region and one active case from the Rainy River Region are isolating outside of the catchment area. 

For the first time since March 2020, physical distancing ends for churches in Scotland, although face masks remain.

“This is a time to celebrate, as we worship God together”, the Evangelical Alliance says.

Churches in Scotland have been able to hold worship services with unlimited numbers of people for a week now.

For the first time since March 2020, they are no longer required by law to observe physical distancing measures at worship services, but for now, face coverings and the collection of contact details for Test and Protect will remain.

Students at Providence University College will be back together in the classroom this year as the school gets ready for another year. 

"Last year was an interesting year," says Nicholas Greco, the Provost pro tem at Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Man.

"We had in-person classes for September and October. But When Winnipeg moved into the orange critical level and then red, we had to cancel in-person classes and moved fully into the online model for the remainder of the fall and winter schedule,"

There is no doubt that the pandemic has affected the job market around the globe and right here in Cochrane. Scott Evans who is a Career Advisor with Prospect Human Services – Rocky View Employment Services in Cochrane says, “The labour market has probably had about five years of changed compressed into about 18 months.”

The COVID-19 numbers continue to rise.

Another 407 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 7.51 per cent.

Hospitalizations have risen to a seven-week high with 176 in hospital which is an increase of nine in 24 hours. ICU admissions increased by one for a total of 44.

Alberta’s active case count now sits at 5,627.

Sadly, another three deaths have been reported for a total of 2,336 in the province.

Cochrane added another five cases for a total of 37 while Rocky View County decreased by one for a total of 46.

COVID-19 vaccinations will soon be required by all federal employees. On August 13, 2021, the Government of Canada announced the intent to require vaccination across federal employees by the end of September. 

“As the country’s largest employer, the Government of Canada is committed to playing a leadership role by further protecting the health and safety of public servants and the communities where they live and work across Canada and around the world,” it read in the statement.