Calgary zone sees 2nd highest number of new COVID-19 cases since early May

The number of new COVID-19 cases reported in a day in the Calgary zone has spiked to its second-highest level since early May.

The Calgary zone saw 89 new cases of the virus reported on Friday, the second-highest number since May 2. There were 102 cases reported on July 17.

There are now 435 active cases in Calgary compared to 375 active cases as of Thursday's update.

Find out which neighbourhoods or communities have the most cases, how hard people of different ages have been hit, the ages of people in hospital, how Alberta compares to other provinces and more in: Here are the latest COVID-19 statistics for Alberta — and what they mean

Active outbreaks

An outbreak at a Calgary chicken processing plant has now grown to 25 positive COVID-19 cases, according to the union that represents the workers.

Those numbers have grown since an outbreak was declared by Alberta Health on Monday, when 15 cases were announced as being connected to the Lilydale plant in Ramsay.

• 15 workers at Lilydale chicken plant in Calgary test positive for COVID-19

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 said it was calling for the immediate closure of the facility until the outbreak has been contained.

"Health and government authorities, company officials and union representatives have closely monitored this evolving situation," said UFCW Local 401 president Thomas Hesse in a release.

"Unfortunately, in spite of recent interventions, positive case numbers continue to increase. Whatever is being done is clearly not enough. The risk of spread is too high, and the possible costs are too grave."

A new outbreak was also declared Friday at Harmony Beef in Balzac, just north of Calgary. It's the second time the meat plant has seen an outbreak of COVID-19 this year.

According to Alberta Health, Harmony Beef currently has 36 active cases of COVID-19 and two recovered. 

"Health officials conduct contact tracing and anyone at risk of exposure is contacted, isolated and tested," said Sherene Khaw, a spokesperson with Alberta Health, in a statement.

"Depending on the situation, Health officials may also work with employers and, if appropriate, provide assistance around cleaning, testing, or other support needed to protect the public health."

The province also has reported two new outbreaks in Edmonton, at the Bright Horizons Childcare and the greater Edmonton Foundation Seniors Housing Beverly Place.

CBC Calgary has been compiling a full list of all the outbreaks in the province, which we'll update regularly.

• Here are all the known outbreaks of COVID-19 in Alberta and how they compare

Alberta reported no new COVID-19 deaths on Friday and 158 new cases of the respiratory illness.

The increase in cases comes just days before students head back to school. For parents who may have questions about the return to school, we've created this guide, which we'll update frequently in the coming weeks.

The city of Edmonton, meanwhile, is no longer under a COVID-19 watch as of Friday.