Thread by @CMOH_Alberta

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: We have administered 124K+ doses of vaccine & about 32.7K ABs are fully immunized w/ 2 doses. Over the last 24 hrs, we ID’d 195 new cases of COVID-19 & completed 7K+ tests. Our positivity rate stands around 3.2%. (1/10)

There are alerts/outbreaks in 315 schools, or 13% of schools, w/ 866 cases. Since Jan. 11, in-school transmission likely occurred in 77 schools. Of these, 61 schools have only had 1 new case occur as a result. (2/10)

The measures in place to minimize spread in our schools are largely working. It remains crucial that we keep transmission low & case numbers falling. That is the best way to protect schools, continuing care facilities & the rest of our society. (3/10)

There are 427 ppl in hospital, incl 78 in ICU. Over the last 24 hrs, 12 new deaths were reported. My sympathies go to those grieving the loss of these individuals & to anyone who has lost someone they love, no matter the cause. (4/10)

We have detected 104 variant cases in AB. 97 have been B.1.1.7, the strain 1st ID’d in the U.K. & 7 have been 501Y.V2, the strain 1st ID’d in South Africa. I know there are concerns about a more contagious variant becoming the dominant strain in AB – a worry for me, too. (5/10)

For context, the 1st variant case in AB was ID’d retrospectively in a sample originally taken on Dec. 15 in a returning traveler. Through to last Friday, there were 104 positive variant cases ID’d. At the same time, 43K+ cases of common COVID-19 was detected in AB. (6/10)

Since our lab began testing most if not all positive samples, the average % of all cases that are variants of concern is 1.4%. This does not minimize the threat that these variants pose, or the impact they will have if we let them spread widely. (7/10)

So far, variants are still very rare & we are working hard to keep it that way, expanding testing capacity, creating dedicated variant contact tracing teams & moving rapidly to isolate variant cases & prevent virus spread. (8/10)

Even more important are the public health measures & precautions each of us must keep following every day. These are tried and true habits. Staying home if sick, getting tested & following the letter/spirit of the rules in place are still our most effective protection. (9/10)

The more we can all keep finding alternatives to close, in-person interactions, the safer we will all be from any strain of COVID. Alberta is up for that challenge, but we all must continue working together to stop the spread and keep each other safe. (10/10)