Thread by @CMOH_Alberta

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. Over the last 24 hrs, we identified 1,738 new cases & completed about 21K tests. Our prov positivity rate is about 8.3%, w/ 20,261 active cases. 684 ppl are in hospital, including 123 in ICU. (1/11)

Sadly, 18 deaths were reported. I know gathering restrictions continue to make it challenging for anyone who has lost a loved one to any cause, to grieve in the ways we are used to. Please reach out to those you know who are navigating a difficult time. (2/11)

There are alerts/outbreaks in 458 schools - about 19 % - w/ 1,947 active cases incl 293 with outbreaks, 123 on watch. (3/11)

Effective Dec. 14 AHS is changing designated support to 1 person/patient in ambulatory, emerg, urgent care, maternity/postpartum & other inpatient areas & up to 2 in crit care, peds and NICU to balance the risk of spread w/ importance of family support in acute care. (4/11)

Patients & families should contact the care team directly or visit ahs.ca/visitation before entering. We encourage virtual visits. The restrictions will be difficult, esp over the holidays, but are needed to keep patients safe. We must do everything to bend the curve.(5/11)

Today, @YourAlberta launched a campaign for ABs under 40, ft. a character representing COVID-19 in various social situations. These ads were filmed under strict safety protocols incl screening, masking & distancing when the camera wasn’t rolling. (6/11)

The goal is to get ppl’s attention, help them see a different perspective & influence actions. COVID is serious and we are taking it seriously. Lives depend on our ability to bend down the curve and reduce the spread of COVID. (7/11)

I want families of the 684 ABs lost to this virus & everyone fighting it to know we are using all tools at our disposal to get ABs to respect public health measures. (8/11)

It’s been a challenging week & it’s easy to feel hopeless & powerless. But there is hope & together we are powerful. The cases we see tomorrow are the result of last week & the week before, hosp & ICU admissions are the result of actions 3-4 weeks ago. (9/11)

Next week’s numbers & the weeks after that are in our control. The future is up to all of us. Thank you to all who have embraced masking & gathering restrictions in effect as of Tues. You are already helping to reduce the number of cases we’ll see later this month. (10/11)

New restrictions begin Sun. We do not need to wait for the clock to strike midnight & for orders to go into effect to do our part. By altering day-to-day actions now, we can reduce the number of new cases we’ll see in weeks ahead. It won’t be easy but I know we can do it. (11/11)