Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. 19,500 Albertans have now recovered, almost 850 more since Friday. We completed 13K+ tests in the last 24 hours and identified 323 new cases. Our provincial positivity rate was about 2.5%. (1/10)
116 people are in hospital incl 16 in ICU. Our compounded daily COVID-19 hospitalization rise is 3.1%; 5% is our trigger threshold. The rise appears to be driven by a # of factors incl an increase in case counts & hospital outbreaks. 23% of COVID-19 ICU beds are in use. (2/10)
I am sad to report 1 new death. We’ve lost many Albertans to many different causes since the pandemic began. Each was a person – not a number. All of us who know someone grieving a loss can reach out & offer support. It is 1 of many ways each 1 of us can make a difference. (3/10)
There are alerts or outbreaks in 8% of schools w/512 cases. 96 schools are on outbreak, incl 26 on watch w/5+ cases. Health & school officials are acting swiftly. We have only seen in-school transmission in 69 schools incl 44 that had only 1 new case result. (4/10)
It has been almost 2 weeks since we put voluntary measures in place in #YEG zone. The rate of growth has started to slow –R value has gone from 1.35 to 1.17. This is encouraging but we need to bring this value below 1. Please continue your efforts & work w/contact tracers. (5/10)
COVID-19 loves parties. Recently, a wedding had 49 cases from 63 attendees; another party had 8 cases from 24 ppl & a coworker gathering had 9 cases from 29 ppl & 38 more excluded from the workplace. Keep gatherings small, ensure ppl w/symptoms stay home & keep distanced. (6/10)
The cold & flu season means in addition to COVID-19, Albertans have a greater chance of catching a cold or flu, which have similar symptoms. Our labs have been processing more tests than ever before, largely due to the increase in Albertans with COVID-like symptoms. (7/10)
Effective immediately, we are pausing asymptomatic testing in those w/no known exposure. This is necessary to reduce wait times, get results to Albertans & limit spread. We thank pharmacies who have helped w/testing. Already booked appts will be honoured until Nov. 4. (8/10)
The data shows us asymptomatic testing for people who haven’t been exposed is not an effective way to limit the spread. Of 650K+ tests, 0.1% have been positive. We will continue testing any Albertan with symptoms, is a close contact or is linked to an outbreak. (9/10)
We need to focus our testing where it counts. Faster results help contact tracers reach Albertans quicker & help mildly ill students, parents & employees who test negative get back to school/work. Our lab system is strong & we’re working hard to keep making it stronger. (10/10)
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