Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: Over the last 24hrs, we identified 1,735 new cases & completed more than 20,300 tests. Our prov positivity rate sits at about 8.5%, and we have more than 20,000 active cases. There are 609 people in hospital, incl 108 in ICU. (1/12)
16 deaths related to COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hrs. My deepest condolences go to the family & friends of those individuals. The rising fatalities is a tragic reminder of the deadly power of this virus & the reason it is vital that we slow the spread. (2/12)
In schools, there are currently active alerts or outbreaks in 414 schools, about 18% of schools in the province w/ a combined total of 1,644 active cases incl 237schools with outbreaks, including 106 currently on the watch list. (3/12)
This week, we will begin piloting point-of-care rapid testing at COVID-19 assessment centres in St. Paul & Slave Lake, + 1 assessment centre in both YYC and YEG. Tests are used on patients in first 7 days of symptoms, reducing need for sample transport to centralized labs. (4/12)
Fast-tracking testing process will allow lab svcs & health-care teams to prioritize infectious cases & focus efforts where they can have most impact on preventing further spread. AHS can identify/notify positive cases within hours, speeding up care/isolation of patients. (5/12)
In those without symptoms, the rapid tests are less accurate. They’re also less sensitive than the usual test. Those who have symptoms and test negative with the rapid test will still need to isolate while waiting for their results through the molecular lab testing. (6/12)
These numbers in AB continue to be extremely troubling. Keep them in mind when considering how to best incorporate restrictions into your daily lives. Small changes that we all make have tremendous power to the stop spread/break transmission chains, preventing more cases. (7/12)
At the same time, the small bending of the rules, the one-time social get-togethers with extended family and parties with friends, have the power to undo the hard work of so many in just a few minutes. (8/12)
High case numbers that we continued to see over the weekend were from people who were largely exposed between a week and 10 days ago. However, the rise in new cases and hospitalizations underscores the seriousness of the situation we now face in our province. (9/12)
So far, we are not bending the curve back down. We are still witnessing very high transmission of the virus, which is putting enormous pressure on our hospitals, ICUs & health care workers and tremendous strain on our continuing care facilities & many other sectors. (10/12)
Health care workers in hospitals & continuing care facilities + workers leading important work like contact tracing & outbreak mgmt, have been on the frontlines, working hard for months. I know many are exhausted. We must do all we can to protect them, especially now. (11/12)
We are now in the 9th month of this pandemic. I am more concerned than ever before about the spread of this virus. We need to come together to protect each other. (12/12)
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