Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. Over the past 24hrs we’ve identified 1,155 new cases & completed 17K+ tests. Our positivity rate sits at about 6.5% & we have 10,655 active cases. There are 310 in hospital including 58 in ICU. (1/12)
I must report 11 new deaths over the past 24 hrs. 11 Albertans are gone & their friends & families are mourning. Severe outcomes are not limited to those at the end of their lives & it is a mistake to think so. This week, 2 indv in their 30s died as a result of COVID-19. (2/12)
The avg age of COVID-19 hospitalization is dropping. About 1/4 hospitalized & 1/6 in ICU have 0 pre-existing conditions. Having a chronic condition is common, incl high blood pressure & diabetes. Almost 1/4 of Albertans 20+ have a chronic condition, 10% have 2, 8% have 3+. (3/12)
Older adults are more likely to have medical conditions. For those 50+, 65% have 1+ chronic conditions. More than 1/2 of men 50+ & almost 70% of men 65+, have high blood pressure. That should not be a death sentence. Our actions protect these people as well as ourselves. (4/12)
As more COVID-19 patients require ICU, AHS is able to add additional capacity. AHS has readied additional beds in #YEG & spaces in #YYC will be ready if needed. But creating capacity means stopping or delaying other services & this is the impact we want to avoid. (5/12)
Recently, AHS has had desig. family/support people intentionally not disclose COVID-19 symptom status. This puts loved ones & teams caring for them at greater risk of illness. Pls be honest. If this continues, AHS will have to consider further limiting support & visitation.(6/12)
There are currently active alerts or outbreaks in 294 schools, about 12% of AB schools, incl 67 schools currently on the watch list. In-school transmission has likely occurred in 166 schools. Of these, about 87 had only one new case as a result. (7/12)
In the past week, we have more new cases than in any previous week to date. Contact tracers are working heroically to address the backlog, but w/the current volume, they are fighting an uphill battle. There are more people & cases out there that we don’t know about. (8/12)
We must all continue to do our part. If you test + follow the directions you’re given. Visit the AHS online portal & submit the info for known close contacts. I know many worry about being blamed or stigmatized & I want to stress this process is anonymous. (9/12)
If you receive a text indicating you’re a close contact, follow the instructions & respond. Stay home & isolate for 14 days. Monitor for symptoms & arrange for testing if needed. Otherwise, do not leave your property. If you’re an event organizer, notify attendees ASAP. (10/12)
Our actions, such as going out while symptomatic, have consequences to those around us. Every new case is a threat to our health, the health of others & our health care system. Every new case jeopardizes businesses & activities that could potentially face more measures. (11/12)
This weekend, I encourage everyone to abide by all public health measures. We must all do our part to bend the curve. Everyone is carrying heavy burdens right now. Please be compassionate with yourself & with others. We can only get through this by working together. (12/12)
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Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. We have identified 1,336 new cases with 11,274 active cases across AB. There are currently 320 ppl in hospital with 56 ppl in ICU. (1/4)
On Nov. 20, 19,239 tests were completed bringing the total # of tests to 2,088,614. 1,403,302 people have been tested. (2/4)
Sadly, we have also learned of 9 new deaths, bringing the provincial total to 471. My thoughts go out to the families of these individuals and anyone mourning a loved one today. (3/4)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. Over the past 24hrs we have identified 732 new cases & completed approx. 13K tests. Our provincial positivity rate sits at about 5.5% & we have 10K+ active cases. There are 287 people in hospital including 57 in ICU. (1/13)
AHS is working hard to meet demand & has plans to ensure beds for COVID-19 patients are available if needed. AHS can increase hospital spaces by reducing the number of other patients. This means reducing elective surgeries & ambulatory care visits as seen in #YEG zone. (2/13)
Hospitals are increasing spaces by opening units & equipping spaces. AHS can create temporary ICU beds in spaces that would otherwise be used for specialized care. But, there are consequences - delayed access to non-COVID care & there is a ceiling to capacity expansion. (3/13)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. Thank you for quickly adapting to the measures that came into effect Fri. Over the past 24hrs we have IDd 860 new cases & completed 12K+ tests. Our positivity rate is 7% & our active cases have risen to 10,031. (1/13)
There are 264 people in hospital w/57 in ICU. I have heard questions about how COVID hospitalizations & ICU numbers compare to influenza season & why our current acute care burden is so challenging. There are several differences between COVID-19 & influenza. (2/13)
We’ve had 49 acute care COVID outbreaks w/42 deaths in 7.5 months, despite extraordinary measures. The worst acute care outbreak numbers related to influenza in the past 5yrs - 40 outbreaks w/13 deaths in a full year. (3/13)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. We have identified 1,026 new cases. Today marks the first time we’ve seen over 1,000 new daily cases. I know Albertans are concerned with the alarming rise in cases – I share these concerns. (1/6)
Sadly, we have also learned of 3 new deaths, bringing the provincial total to 401. My thoughts go out to the families of these individuals and anyone mourning a loved one today. (2/6)
In the days ahead, we all have a role to play in getting case numbers down to protect our health care system, keep schools and businesses open, and protect vulnerable Albertans. This is our last chance to avoid more restrictive measures. (3/6)
It is vital that our health system continues to deliver the care that Albertans’ need. We currently ask all cases of COVID-19 to isolate at home for 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. (1/4)
However, out of an abundance of caution, early on we asked that healthcare workers not return for 4 more days. After review, we have now decided that it's time to bring the approach for healthcare workers safely in line with that for all other cases. (2/4)
Health care workers will still isolate for 10 days after symptom onset or until symptoms resolve, after which they can continue their normal activities. AHS has been advised of this policy change and will begin implementing it, where appropriate. (3/4)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. On behalf of AHS I want to acknowledge Albertans & our contact tracing team for notifying 43K+ close contacts from Nov.6-9. Thank you to cases & contacts who worked w/contact tracers. We have to keep this effort up. (1/16)
Together w/limiting social bubbles, maintaining distance, masking & staying home if sick, the efficiency & completeness of contact tracing efforts is critical to stemming new cases in AB. Today, AHS is launching an online portal for automated texting of close contacts. (2/16)
Confirmed cases can use the site to enter info of known close contacts. Once info is reviewed by the contact tracing team w/the case, the tool delivers a text to close contacts & informs them of exposure & to isolate. The name of the positive case is not disclosed. (3/16)