Jason Kenney To Albertans In Big Groups As Case Rates Surge: ‘Knock It Off’
As Alberta recorded another triple-digit increase of COVID-19 cases Tuesday, Premier Jason Kenney had a firm message for people socializing in large groups: “knock it off.”
“It looks like some folks are no longer observing the public health guidelines,” Kenney told reporters Tuesday.
“If you think you can socialize with large people in close quarters, knock it off.”
While billed as an announcement about the province’s school reopening plan for the fall, both Kenney and chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw faced questions about the recent surge in cases in the province.
WATCH: Alberta records jump in COVID-19 cases. Story continues below.
Alberta saw 141 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, following a weekend where 368 new cases were confirmed over a three-day period. The 165-case increase on July 18 was the highest such total confirmed in the province since May 1.
There are currently 1,193 active cases in the province and Alberta has the highest per capita rate of active COVID-19 cases out of all the provinces. The 20-29-year-old age group makes up the largest portion of active cases. There are currently 16 regions in the province under “COVID-19 watch,” meaning they have at least 50 active cases per 100,000 residents.
Hinshaw said she is concerned about the rise in cases, and particularly where they come from. Around half of all active cases in the province are not linked to a known case, suggesting widespread community transmission among the population.
It looks like some folks are no longer observing the public health guidelines.Alberta Premier Jason Kenney
“The actual number is likely greater than what we know about,” she said.
Hinshaw referenced a possible “tipping point” that could be reached where cases start to balloon and overwhelm the health-care system, and said Alberta officials are closely watching jurisdictions like the United States, which are currently seeing massive spikes in new cases.
“It is possible that new cases...
