By Sean Rooney on May 6, 2020.
After four straight days of reductions in daily COVID-19 case counts, Alberta saw a slight uptick Wednesday with 70 new cases plus six deaths attributed to the virus. Alberta Health statistics show 15 of those new cases are in Brooks. Totals are now 5,963 for the province, 1,020 of those in Brooks and 33 in Medicine Hat, which didn’t register any new cases today. Though the caseload didn’t increase significantly, there are now 566 cases marked as being from the JBS meat packing plant in Brooks. That’s up 79 from the number given by chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw gave Tuesday. Hinshaw did say 434 of the 566 are recovered. Asked whether Brooks’ restrictions could be different than the rest of the province moving forward, Hinshaw didn’t have a definitive answer. Investigations are now underway at both High River’s Cargill and JBS meat packing plants. There is a new outbreak at a third meat packing plant in Alberta, Harmony Beef just northeast of Calgary. That plant has 38 cases as of Wednesday. 7
It would be a great service to the community if there was an insert or article in the MH News that lists all the local suppliers of meat products, beef, pork, chicken, including local area farms and ranches as well as local meat markets. Included in the list would be hours open or when available, pickup or delivery services, locations, contact information, menus and costs.
Then perhaps another article or an insert that lists local vegetables, fruits , berries, grains, herbs, spices, with the same information.
I’m all for shopping local and supporting the local producers but I would like more information.