EDMONTON -- The province announced an additional 49 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, and seven more deaths, the highest number of deaths reported in a single day.

The total number of cases in the province is now 1,500.

The provincial breakdown of cases is as follows:

  • 917 cases in the Calgary zone
  • 386 cases in the Edmonton zone
  • 97 cases in the North zone
  • 72 cases in the Central zone
  • 26 cases in the South zone
  • Two cases in zones yet to be confirmed

The province said 201 of the cases are believed to be from community transmission.

Four of the deaths reported on Friday were at the McKenzie Towne care facility in Calgary, bringing the total number of deaths at that facility to 17.

There was also a death at the Shepherd’s Care Kensington Facility in Edmonton. Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw said on Friday that there are 19 cases at that facility. 

Hinshaw also announced new regulations requiring employees at all long-term care facilities to wear masks at all time while performing patient care. The regulations had been in place at facilities that were experiencing an outbreak, but will now be extended to all facilities. 

Workers will also be restricted to working at a single site to prevent transmission of the virus. 

The province completed 2,123 tests for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

Since Thursday, 121 people are considered to be recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 713.