A surge in COVID cases has prompted a State of Emergency to be called in Fort McMurray.
Alberta has the highest per capita rate of the virus in the country, with more than 20,000 active cases.
To help combat the surge, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has declared a local state of emergency.
A State of Local Emergency is now in effect due to the continued spread of COVID-19 in the region #ymm #RMWB https://t.co/EZCNaITvwu pic.twitter.com/JxH4eBUXWS
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) April 26, 2021
Councillor Krista Balsom, who is originally from Newfoundland, tabled the motion. She cites rising numbers, the strain on the local healthcare system, and the need for governments to do more as the rationale behind the decision.
Ultimately, Balsom says the State of Emergency will help officials concentrate on getting numbers down and raise public awareness about the role individuals can play in containing spread.
She says it allows them to act swiftly and make decisions more quickly in consultation with their emergency management team, the province, and the federal government.
