I know that some people have concerns after the 1st case of variant transmission in schools was identified yesterday. This is understandable. We are being extremely cautious to limit any future transmission. (1/6)
Schools continue to be safe places. We continue to see the number of new #COVID19 cases in school-aged Albertans declining after 1 month of in-person classes - and we’re working hard to keep it that way. (2/6)
The school measures in place reduce the risk of transmission, but we all must help limit spread. Just as our currently dominant strain of COVID-19 occasionally spreads in schools, so too can the variant. That’s why we’re acting quickly. (3/6)
The faster we identify variant cases, the faster we limit further spread. We are screening school cases for the UK and SA variants. As soon as someone tests positive, rigorous contract tracing takes place. Everyone at risk is quarantined & tested twice. (4/6)
Early identification of any positive case helps us to protect the health of everyone involved & limit any future transmission. This underscores the importance of isolating & getting tested when ill, even w/ minor symptoms, or if you are a close contact of a case. (5/6)
I know that these variants are concerning for everyone, including me. We are working to prevent their spread, but we all must continue to be safe, be wise and keep following the measures in place to protect each other. (6/6)
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I know there have been questions about #COVID19AB rapid testing, so let me explain Alberta’s approach so far.
After receiving tests in the fall, @AHS_media tested them and started deploying them to outbreaks, shelters, hospitals & other places to test people w/ symptoms. (1/7)
Rapid testing was deployed across the province. @GovCanHealth has licensed the tests only for use in symptomatic people. The tests are not licensed as a screening tool, so we used them accordingly. (2/7)
It is important that we work in collaboration and alignment with the national reg. bodies on all health technologies and all jurisdictions were initially cautious to use these tests ‘off-label.’ (3/7)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID-19AB update: We have administered 135+ vaccine doses & fully immunized 42K+ ABs. Over the last 24 hrs, we ID’d 351 new cases & completed about 10K tests. Our positivity rate is about 3.5%. (1/8)
There are currently active alerts or outbreaks in 311 schools, about 13% of schools in the province. These schools have had a combined total of 897 cases since early January. Of these 155 are believed to be in-school transmission. (2/8)
397 are in hospital, incl 71 in ICU. Our #s continue to decline but there are still as many in hosp today as Nov. 23. 16 deaths were reported to us in the last 24 hrs. My thoughts are with anyone mourning the passing of a family member, friend or neighbour, from any cause. (3/8)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: We have now administered almost 130K doses of vaccine & fully immunized 37K Albertans incl 71% of residents of long-term care & designated supportive living who are most at risk of severe outcomes. (1/11)
Over the last 24 hours, we have ID’d 339 new cases & completed 10.8K+ tests. Our positivity rate is around 3.2%. Stay home & get tested even w/ minor symptoms or if you are a close contact of someone w/ COVID-19. Testing helps us understand how the virus is spreading. (2/11)
There are currently active alerts/outbreaks in 303 schools, w/ 867 cases total. There are 421 people in hospital, incl 77 in ICU. This is far below our peak in Dec., but still 5-7x higher than last spring/summer. We will watch these & other #s over the next few weeks. (3/11)
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)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: We have administered 120K+ doses of vaccine w/29K+ ABs fully immunized. In the last 24 hrs, we ID’d 269 new cases & completed about 6.2K tests. Our positivity rate is around 4.3%. 432 ppl are in hosp incl. 76 in ICU. (1/7)
The R value in Alberta over the last week was 0.87. There are active alerts or outbreaks in 313 schools, or about 13% of schools in the province w/a total of 844 cases. Since Friday, we have ID’d 25 more COVID-19 variant cases w/no spread ID’d in schools. (2/7)
Sadly, 5 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. My condolences go to the loved ones of these individuals & to anyone mourning a death right now, no matter the cause. (3/7)
Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB numbers: Over the last 24 hours we have identified 351 new cases and completed 8,241 tests. Our positivity rate is 4.3%. (1/4)
There are 6,242 active cases in the province with 434 people in hospital, including 81 in ICU. Sadly, 4 new deaths were reported over the past 24 hours. My thoughts go out to anyone mourning the loss of a loved one today. (2/4)
As we begin stage 1 of our path forward tomorrow, let’s continue to make safe, responsible choices to help keep our cases and hospitalization numbers on their downward trend. (3/4)