What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Friday, May 8

The latest:

• Another quarter-million Albertans lost work in April.
• Premier Jason Kenney said on Thursday it's unlikely all parts of the province will reopen on same schedule.
• The Alberta Medical Association ispreparing for protracted battle with government.
• Guidance on reopening for hairstylists and barbersis coming soon, says Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
• The City of Calgary has slashed 30% of transit service hours.

What you need to know today in Alberta:

The pandemic has not played out the same across all areas of Alberta, with High River and Brooks being overwhelmed, while areas to the north have been largely spared.

Even in the two biggest cities, the difference between levels of infection has been pronounced.

Watch: COVID-19: How cities might change to allow for physical distancing.

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Some cities are looking at ways to change outdoor spaces to allow for physical distancing, including closing roads to traffic.

To that end, Premier Jason Kenney said on Thursday that not all regions of the province are likely to open up at the same time and on the same timeline. It's expected more will be announced on Tuesday, as the May 14 target for the first phase of a relaunch nears.

Alberta's top health official, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, meanwhile, continues to warn Albertans that the virus has not gone away and they must continue to be cautious.

Alberta's doctors, seemingly spared from the worst pandemic projections, are now gearing up for a different battle with the province over pay, negotiations and reformation of Alberta's health-care system.

While on the economic front, another quarter-million Albertans lost work in April.

The province announced 54new cases on Thursday afternoon, and two more deaths.

Here is the regional breakdown of cases as of Thursday:.

• Calgary zone: 4,044.
• South zone: 1,124.
• Edmonton zone: 505.
• North zone: 226.
• Central zone: 94.
• Unknown: 24.

What you need to know today in Canada:

Canada lost nearly two million jobs in April a record high as the COVID-19 crisis ripped through the national economy. Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey data released Friday brings the total number of jobs lost during the crisis to more than three million.

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An infectious disease specialist answers your questions about the COVID-19 pandemic including whether there will be a second lockdown.

Between March and April, the unemployment rate spiked from 7.8 per cent to 13 per cent.

Amidst the news, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would extend an emergency wage subsidy beyond its original June end date.

As of 7 a.m. ET, Canada had almost 65,000 confirmed and presumptive cases, and a tally of coronavirus deaths based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's reporting puts the figure at 4,524.

Self-assessment and supports:

Alberta Health Services has an online self-assessment tool that you can use to determine if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

The province says Albertans who have returned to Canada from other countries must self-isolate. Unless your situation is critical and requires a call to 911, Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 before visiting a physician, hospital or other health-care facility.

If you have symptoms, even mild, you are to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Watch: Is airborne transmission possible?

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An infectious disease specialist answers your questions about the COVID-19 pandemic including whether airborne transmission is possible.

You can find Alberta Health Services' latest coronavirus updates here.

The province also operates a confidential mental health support line at 1-877-303-2642 and addiction help line at 1-866-332-2322, available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Online resources are available for advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

There is a 24-hour family violence information line at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages, and Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.