Mayor Jeff Genung says we need to have each other's back, stay calm, wear face coverings in indoor public spaces and be kind.

Today's Alberta Health Services statistics confirmed there are 14 known active cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Cochrane and that has triggered the mandatory use of face masks/coverings in indoor public spaces.

The order will stay in effect until Cochrane has less than 10 active cases for a full 14 days. 

He says every means possible will be used to advise residents of the implementation of the face-covering bylaw, and the list of exceptions.

"Wearing a mask, whether you are for it or against it, is only part of the regime that we should all be taking and making a part of our daily lives," says Mayor Genung. "The physical distancing, the repeated the hand washing, and now masks: in all of this we have to remember there are 14 Cochrane residents that have COVID-19. My heart goes out to the families affected, and if nothing else, we should be wearing our masks for them."

With the number of active cases skyrocketing in the province, Mayor Genung isn't too surprised our numbers rose.

"With the rise in cases, especially in the region, Cochrane's actually still doing very well, but given the rise of cases in Calgary, 15 minutes away, it's alarming."

He says daily updated numbers now being provided by AHS, and that will help keep the town on top of the number of cases here.

"We will get those updated case numbers every day, rather than having to wait over the weekend for a Monday report. It's going to be important for Cochrane as we wait for that number to drop below 10, and then wait for 14 days"

He says the town hasn't decided if it will resume the Facebook Live updates that were established during the early stages of the pandemic, but they are looking at putting in place different protocols for staff.

"We've always had some pretty tight restrictions around COVID-19 for staff, gatherings, and other internal protocols. We're re-evaluating them always."