With high rates of COVID-19, concern grows in Calgary's bedroom communities

Airdrie family physician Dr. Fozia Alvi says she had a total of two patients test positive for COVID-19 last spring but things have changed.

"For the last two weeks, I'm getting, every day, one to two positive patients," Alvi said. "And I'm one of only 50 doctors in Airdrie."

As of Friday's provincial update, Airdrienow has 277 active cases of COVID-19, putting the communityunder "enhanced status," with an active case rate of 395.7 cases per a population of 100,000.

Last week, rising cases triggered Airdrie'smandatory mask bylaw.Mayor Peter Brown saidthe city is busy getting information out about the new restrictions announced Thursday.

"There's a lot of fear in the community," Brown said.

WATCH | Premier, top doctor say new restrictions needed:

Alberta announces new restrictions to prevent spread of COVID-19

4 years ago

Duration 4:07

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who is currently self-isolating, announced new temporary measures to combat COVID-19. The premier said the increase in COVID-19 cases prompted the "limited, focused, targeted measures."

Starting today, Alberta has suspended indoor group fitness programs, team sports andgroup performance activities, and reduced operating hours for restaurants, bars and pubs, cutting off liquor sales at 10 p.m.

Those restrictions are scheduled to last until Nov. 27, but additional restrictions could be implemented should case counts not decrease to the degree the province hopes.

All areas under enhanced status will fall under the new restrictions. That means communities like Airdrie and Chestermere are subject to the new regulations.

Brown said he wants more detailed information from the province about where cases are coming from, so people can make informed decisions.

"Ifwe can identify, OK,are those from households,are these from a school?" Brown said. "How are they relatable to the rest of us?"

Chestermere

The City of Chestermere, also under enhanced status, has 60 active cases of COVID-19, representing an active case rate of 287 per 100,000.

The community has seen several outbreaks in recent days, including at a CrossFit gym, a dance studio and at a social gathering that led to at least 20 cases.

ChestermereMayor Marshall Chalmers said it is now time for the community to consider a temporary mask bylaw.

"Just recently we've had a substantial spike, and it is very distressing to see the rise in these levels," Chalmers said. "Our council is saying, look, it's time to have this debate, even though our community has been doing very well.

"This is really the only other lever we've got left, and it's really up to the province to implement these public health measures."

Chestermere city council will debate itsmask bylaw on Tuesday.

The Townof Okotoks is also underenhanced status, with 28active cases, representing an active case rate of 80per 100,000 population.

The Town of Cochrane isunder open status with 16 active cases, representing a rate of 48 per 100,000.

Current outbreaks in Airdrie and Chestermere include:

• Abstract Dance Academy inChestermere: 6 cases (all recovered).
• Chestermere Lake CrossFit: 15 cases (7 active, 8 recovered).
• Private gathering inChestermere: 20 cases (13 active, 7 recovered).
• Little Angels Daycare inAirdrie: 19 cases (5 active, 14 recovered).