Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: We have admin. 317K+ vaccine doses, 91K+ ABs are fully immunized. Over the last 24 hrs, we ID’d 364 new cases & completed about 10.2K tests. There are alerts/outbreaks in 256 schools, w/ 1,017 cases since Jan. 11. (1/8)
Our positivity rate is about 4%. We have ID’d 41 new variant cases, bringing our total to 775. There are 259 people in hospital, incl 38 in ICU. Sadly, 5 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hrs. Every death is a person loved by family & friends. (2/8)
Today is a national day of observance to commemorate those who died due to COVID-19 & remember that we must continue to do all we can to help keep each other safe. My deepest condolences go to everyone who is grieving a loss during this challenging time. (3/8)
Today’s announcement of rapid testing expansion is an important step forward. This is a very helpful tool when used for frequent testing in a particular pop. over time. It can be used as a red light “stop” signal to ensure ppl who test + do not enter a workplace/community. (4/8)
Unfortunately, it doesn’t act as a green light – rapid tests are not as sensitive as some other tests we use, which take more time. It is important to remember how they work & how they don’t so we can use them to improve safety but not provide a false sense of security. (5/8)
We will continue to need testing as vaccines become more widely available. It will help look for evidence on how well vaccines prevent ppl from getting mild/asymptomatic illness & understand the potential for vaccinated individuals to pass the virus on to others. (6/8)
Testing will continue to be an important tool in our fight against the virus, esp. as ABs get vaccinated at different times, depending on eligibility & it takes 2-3 wks to reach immunity. We need to keep using the right tools & layering approaches to keep communities safe. (7/8)
As of 2:30pm 23K+ ABs have signed up for AZ. Based on expected supply, starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow, ABs born in 1957-60 can book Covidshield/AstraZeneca appointments online or by calling 811 First Nations, Metis & Inuit born in 1972-75 can book an appt by calling 811. (8/8)
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