Thread by @CMOH_Alberta

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: We have administered 173K+ doses of vaccine & 69K+ ABs are fully immunized. Over the last 24hrs, we ID’d 273 new cases incl 11 new variant cases & completed 6.1K+ tests. Our positivity rate is about 4.5%. (1/13)

There are 324 ppl in hospital, incl. 53 in ICU. Sadly, 16 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hrs. Many were from Dec. & ID’d post-mortem. Every death & case is not merely a number but a fellow Albertan who loved and was loved by many. (2/13)

There are 235 schools under alert/outbreak, about 10% of all schools in AB w/ 840 cases since Jan. 11. The R value for the province is 1.03. This includes 0.93 for #YEG, 0.95 for #YYC & 1.13 for the rest of AB. A reproductive number of 1+ means cases are rising. (3/13)

I know that many people have questions about when Alberta will move to Step 2 of easing restrictions. We are below the Step 2 threshold of hospitalizations, but have seen growing cases in recent days. (4/13)

With that in mind, we will be taking the full three weeks to assess the data and assess the best way forward. No decisions on moving to Stage 2 will be made prior to March 1, at the earliest. We are being cautious to analyze the data and protect the public health. (5/13)

It is important to understand the dangers we face & importance of being cautious & staying vigilant but also highlight when there are reasons for hope. We must celebrate good news when we can. The sacrifices of so many are making a difference. (6/13)

We have seen a 92% decline in LTC cases from 776 active cases on Dec. 27 to 63 on Feb. 20. Outbreaks dropped from 74 on Dec. 20 to 5 on Feb. 16. DSL facilities peaked at 1.3K+ cases Christmas Day & dropped 88% over the last 7 wks. We should take pride in this turnaround. (7/13)

Together, we have brought hospital outbreaks down from 27 acute care outbreaks at the start of Jan. to just 8 now. This is due to the hard work of many dedicated health care professionals across AB. I want to thank everyone who has worked to keep patients safe. (8/13)

The number of new & active cases in school-aged kids has gone down since classes resumed. On Jan. 11 there were 2K+ cases. 6 weeks later – 747 - a decline of 63% since schools reopened. Students, teachers, staff & parents have worked hard every day to keep schools safe. (9/13)

Bringing new cases down has prevented more families from having to grieve. We have seen a downward trend of deaths – from avg. of 167 during the last week of Dec. to 23 over the last 7 days. This is the power of our actions together. (10/13)

Progress is not guaranteed to last. COVID-19 still poses a threat & our choices matter. Cases are starting to plateau instead of drop & we are seeing steady new variant cases. If given the chance, this virus will spread widely & we risk losing the gains we’ve made . (11/13)

Downward trends are a reminder we have the power to limit transmission when everyone limits in person interactions & we follow both the details & spirit of restrictions. (12/13)

Let’s keep working together to keep bending the curve down until vaccines are here for everyone who wants them & we can celebrate what we have accomplished together. Lives saved. Hospitals kept from overflowing. Our communities protected. We can do this together. (13/13)