Alberta reports 41 new COVID-19 cases, outbreaks linked to Edmonton restaurants

COVID-19 outbreaks linked to bars Dr. Hinshaw is urging people to get tested after four bars have been linked to COVID-19 outbreaks. CTV News Edmonton's Matt Woodman reports.

EDMONTON — Alberta's top doctor confirmed another 41 cases of COVID-19 in the province Tuesday, along with new outbreaks linked to four Edmonton restaurants.

More than 7,400 Albertans have recovered from the disease and 41 remain in hospital, nine of those in ICU, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said. There have been 8,108 cases in total.

She also reported outbreaks linked to four Edmonton restaurants: Greta Bar, which has 15 cases, Earls Edmonton Tin Palace, which has six cases, The Pint, which has 10 cases, and Local on Jasper Avenue, which has nine cases.

Alberta Health Services is working with restaurant operators to facilitate testing, Hinshaw said. Anyone who's visited the restaurants in the last two weeks is encouraged to get a COVID-19 test.

"I want to reiterate that these restaurants and those who have been tested are doing the right thing by taking steps to contain this outbreak," said Hinshaw. "As I have said before, it is critical that we do not shame those who test positive, but rather support them to isolate and work with public health to do contact tracing and follow-up as these restaurants have done."

Greta Bar released a statement on Tuesday evening saying that “we have in effect had Greta Bar under self-isolation for the past 16 days, as we have not been open in any capacity nor served a single guest since that date (June 14).”

The province announced earlier in the day that Albertans are now allowed to gather outside in groups of up to 200 people after increasing the large gathering limits ahead of Canada Day.

Hinshaw said the risk of spread is lower outdoors but encouraged Albertans to protect themselves by maintaining physical distancing, washing hands and wearing a mask.

"We are making this shift based on several factors," she said, "including an analysis of how the virus is spreading in Alberta and the reduced risk of gatherings held outdoors."

Organizers of large events must take appropriate health measures outlined by Alberta Health.

Indoor gatherings remain limited to 50 people, while indoor seated events are limited to 100. Outdoor private social events like weddings and funerals will also be limited to 100 people.

Still, anyone planning on hosting a Canada Day celebration is asked to keep it within their cohort, or if they have guests outside their cohort, only have as many guests as can fill a backyard while maintaining two-metre physical distancing.

Hinshaw also pointed out two regions on Alberta Health's watch list, which means they have more than 50 active cases per 100,000 people: Calgary - Centre and Edmonton - Mill Woods.