Alberta Health Services is taking more aggressive measures to keep track of COVID-19 cases.

Effective as of Monday (Apr.13), all Albertans who experience symptoms of the virus are eligible for testing. Residents are asked to stay home if sick and take the online assessment, which will then arrange for a test.

“Aggressive testing is essential to controlling the spread,” said chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. “Preventing the spread prevents death.”

Alberta has done 77,007 tests so far. Their aim is to do about 9,000 tests a day by the end of the month.

The number of confirmed cases compared to the number of tests done has stayed around two per cent over the last few weeks. With the expansion of testing, Albertans can expect to see the daily number of confirmed cases to increase in the coming days.

There have been 1,732 people affected by the virus in the province, with 254 believed to have been spread by community transmission. Two more people have passed away, a man and woman in their 80s from Calgary. 

So far, 877 people have recovered.

Locally, Fort Saskatchewan’s numbers remain at seven cases with one recovery. 

Strathcona County and Sherwood Park’s combined totals are still at 27 cases and 21 recoveries. 

In Sturgeon County, only one case remains active with all nine others having recovered. 

Lamont County’s only case has now recovered.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Info page.