With news on COVID-19 happening rapidly, we’ve created this page to bring you our latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Calgary.
What’s happening now
11:45 a.m.
COVID-19 deals blow to already-retreating Royal Canadian Legion
Heather Beaton from The Royal Canadian Legion Chapelhow Branch 284 has seen a decline due to COVID-19 in Calgary. Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Darren Makowichuk /
Postmedia
In Alberta, the membership number sits at about 35,000, one that shrinks three to five per cent a year, said Tammy Wheeler, executive director of the legion’s Alberta-Northwest Territories Command.
“Like everybody else, we’re struggling,” said Wheeler.
All nine of the Calgary branches are in some measure of financial peril, she said, adding the clearer picture of their fate will likely come in the fall, after all the locations have reopened and have a better gauge on revenues.
But Wheeler isn’t optimistic.
“This is going to hit big-time in September,” she said.
Saturday
AHS reprimands two Calgary hookah bars for COVID-19 violations
The Lebanese Fusion Eatery & Habebe’s Banquet Hall in northeast Calgary was photographed on Saturday, July 4, 2020.
Gavin Young/Postmedia
Though Sunday marks exactly four months since Alberta first reported a case of COVID-19, some local businesses continue to attract attention from public-health officials for violations of orders meant to curb the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Calgary restaurants are the latest to face sanctions from Alberta Health Services after patrons were found smoking hookah and shisha despite orders introduced by Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
Saturday
Limited capacity, masking on some rides part of planned Calaway Park reopening
Calaway Park is set to reopen on July 17 with protective measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Courtesy Calaway Park
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Calaway Park will reopen its gates ahead of schedule this summer after Alberta Health granted the Calgary-area amusement park an exemption to public-health orders that would have kept the park closed until Stage 3 of the province’s relaunch plan.
The park, located just west of Calgary in Springbank, is slated to open for its 2020 season on July 17 after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the attraction to remain closed through the early summer. Only season pass holders will be allowed in the first day, with the park opening to others afterwards.
Saturday
COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the Siksika First Nation
The Siksika Nation is located southeast of Calgary.
siksikanation.com
Active COVID-19 cases on the Siksika First Nation reserve continue to rise totalling 11 on Saturday less than a month after their first recorded case.
That number almost doubles for all known novel coronavirus cases linked to the First Nation at 24, after having 22 confirmed yesterday, according to an update posted to the community’s Facebook page.
Hundreds more are “under active investigation and daily follow-up” for the deadly virus.
Saturday
Alberta to release weekend COVID-19 numbers on Monday
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided an update on COVID-19 from Edmonton on Friday, June 12, 2020.
Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta
Albertans used to checking in to see the province’s latest COVID-19 numbers will have to wait a bit longer.
For the first time since the pandemic began in March, the province is not going to provide numbers on Saturday or Sunday. They will give the totals on Monday.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has said she is taking a break from her press conferences next week, but the numbers will go out daily by email.
Saturday
FILE – A sign informing about South Beach closure, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., July 3, 2020.
Reuters Staff /
REUTERS
Florida’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose by a record 11,458 on Saturday, the state’s health department said, the second time in three days that its caseload increased by more than 10,000.
The new record came a day after seven other states also reported record rises in cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus that has killed nearly 130,000 Americans.
The recent surge, most pronounced in southern and western states, has alarmed public health officials, who urged caution ahead of a July 4th holiday weekend to celebrate the Declaration of Independence of the United States in 1776.
