COVID-19 is claiming the life of two more Albertans.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced on Wednesday the additional death from the virus which brings the total to 11 across the province.

Both were men in their 80’s – one in the Calgary zone and the other in the north zone. The province is not sharing the location of any deaths unless they are in a continuing care facility.

As for new cases, there are 117 which is mostly due to a backlog of around 4,000 tests. This sets the provincial total at 871.

None of these cases are in Wood Buffalo which keeps it at three confirmed in Fort McMurray.

The north zone, which includes the RMWB, only added one additional case.

The others are in High Prairie, Slave Lake, Barrhead, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Hinton, Westlock, Peace River, High Level, and Valleyview.

Meanwhile, 94 cases are believed to be from community transmission.

Forty-one are people who live or work in a continuing care facility.

As for the recovered, 142 individuals no longer have the virus. This represents around 16 per cent of the total cases.

Child Care Services

The province is expanding eligibility for select licensed child care centres.

“Access to child care should not be a barrier for those who are doing the work required to maintain essential services for all Albertans,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services, in a release.

“We are grateful to the workers for continuing to get the job done and we thank those child care operators for stepping up to provide this important service.”

Those who work in any essential service will be eligible. A complete list of essential services can be found on the GoA’s website.

The centres will be limited to 30 people, including staff, and must follow all sanitization practices outlined by Dr. Hinshaw.

Parents will also be charge their typical rate, within reason.