Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health says she has no plans to suggest the cancellation of Halloween.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw has released some tips and tricks on how to have a safe Halloween this year.

"In many ways, Halloween is actually safer to celebrate than other holidays," says Hinshaw. "Unlike Thanksgiving for example, where families traditionally gather inside to enjoy dinner together, most of Halloween's activities take place outdoors and largely within one family."

However, Dr. Hinshaw says safety needs to be top of mind when celebrating.

"Please avoid hosting group get-togethers or Halloween parties. Instead, trick or treating should be done within your own cohort or family and staying within your community. And avoiding contact with common touch points like doorbells or hand railings."

Hinshaw also recommends costumes that would allow children to wear a non-medical mask and advised physical distancing whenever possible.

The guidelines can be found HERE.

As for the latest COVID-19 numbers, Dr. Hinshaw confirmed 173 new cases on Thursday based on 14,678 test results.

1,596 cases are currently active in Alberta while 16,370 have recovered.

There are 64 people being treated in hospital, with 12 of those in ICU. Unfortunately two more deaths have been reported for a total of 269.

In Rocky View County, the latest stats show 12 active cases and 97 recoveries.

One more case has been identified in Airdrie. According to the latest stats there are 14 active cases in our city while 115 Airdronians have recovered.

On September 29, a letter was sent home to parents of Coopers Crossing School indicating that an individual had tested positive for COVID-19.

So far, two other cases have been linked to Airdrie schools; one at W.H. Croxford on September 9 and one at A.E. Bowers on September 25.

In order to receive test results quicker, Dr. Hinshaw says all parents and guardians can now access and print COVID-19 results for their children through MyHealthRecords.

 

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