Here's where Alberta's COVID-19 'watch' zones are

With Alberta now coping with a significant rise in active COVID-19 cases over the past week, health officials have designated 15 areas in the province as being under a "watch" for an elevated risk of the spread of the virus.

Alberta reported twonew deaths and 111 newCOVID-19 cases on Friday, with1,341 active cases of the illness.

As of Friday, 95people were being treated in hospital for the disease, with 19of them in ICU beds.

Two weeks earlier, there were just seven COVID-19 patients in ICU.

While Calgary's numbers have been climbing fastest in Alberta, rural areas are also seeing bigger numbers. The central zone, which has not seen high case numbers so far, now has 29people in hospital.

A "watch" designation means provincial officials are monitoring the risk and discussing with local officials and other community leaders the possible need for additional health measures, according Alberta Health's website.

Regions with at least 10 active cases and a rate of over 50 active cases per 100,000 population are considered to meet the threshold for "watch."

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The level above that "enhanced" triggers additional health measures to control the spread of the virus. However, no regions are currently listed in this category.

Three areas in Calgary and one in Edmonton are under watches. In addition, there are 11 areas in others parts of the province designated as under watch. The followinglist shows the rates of active cases per 100,000 people in the 15 areas:

• Mackenzie County:182 (active cases44, population24,171).
• Clear Hills County: 366.9 (active cases11, population2,998).
• County Of Stettler No. 6:192.8 (active cases24, population12,449).
• County Of Paintearth No. 18:253.3 (active cases: 10, population: 3,947).
• Kneehill County: 100.8 (active cases 11, population10,909).
• Starland County: 830 (active cases16, population1,928).
• Wheatland County:668 (active cases45, population6,737).
• M.D. of Willow Creek No. 26:121.8 (active cases20, population16,427).
• M.D. of Pincher Creek No. 9:144.5 (active cases 12, population8,302).
• Cardston County:109.4 (active cases 18, population16,459).
• M.D. of Taber:74.2 (active cases14, population18,863).
• Edmonton-Duggan: 116.3 (active cases 44, population40,428).
• Calgary-Centre: 95.2 (active cases63, population66,198).
• Calgary-Elbow: 102.9 (active cases 42, population40,835).
• Calgary-Upper N.E.: 56.5 (active cases65, population114,978).