Record breaking 4,752 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided a live COVID-19 update for Wednesday, January 5.

• The province reported 4,752 new cases in a 24 hour period. 
• Alberta is reporting a positivity rate of 36.9 per cent. 
• Hospitalizations rose slightly by four to 470 and ICU admissions increased by 11 to 72.
• Sadly, another 11 deaths were reported bringing the total in the province to 3,333. 
• Cochrane's active case count rose by three to 304 and Rocky View County is reporting 399 cases. 

The update followed on the heels of the announcement of students returning to in-class learning on Monday, January 10.

While Dr. Hinshaw is supportive of the decision she says, "Given the current situation, I also want to note that I strongly recommend that students in all grades wear masks including K-3. To keep the risk in schools low it will be critical for all of us to stay home and keep our children home if any of us have symptoms."