Dr. Mark Joffe here! I am happy to connect with Albertans in my official capacity as Alberta’s chief medical officer of health - after navigating some unexpected Twitter account issues. (1/9) I know many of you are interested in my thoughts on what is proving to be a very challenging respiratory virus season. As CMOH, I ask you to take all the actions you can to protect yourself and each other. Here’s how…2/9

Effective July 1, Alberta is simplifying its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations, to make them consistent for all Albertans and easier to remember. Guidance is available at alberta.ca/isolation (1/6) With these changes, anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms & tests positive should isolate at home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms, followed by 5 days of masking while in indoor spaces with other people. (2/6)

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: Today will be our last regularly scheduled COVID-19 update. Online updates will continue weekly to keep Albertans informed of the current levels of risk in their communities and trends across the province. (1/10) Data for June 14-20 is available at alberta.ca/coronavirus-in…. There will be no changes over the next few weeks as we monitor step 3, but later this summer we will implement several changes to the dashboard. (2/10)

I would like to provide an update on monkeypox in Alberta. Monkeypox is a rare disease that can cause fevers, aches & rashes. Though monkeypox is uncommon & generally considered a low risk to the public at large, one isolated case has now been confirmed in Alberta. (1/9) I would like to remind Albertans that monkeypox does not spread easily between people. Transmission can occur by contact w/body fluids, sores or items recently contaminated with fluids or sores. (2/9)

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: Updated data for Apr 19-25 is available at alberta.ca/coronavirus-in…. (1/10) There are currently 1,220 people w/COVID-19 in hospital incl 47 in ICU. Over the last week, 32.6% of new non-ICU admissions were incidental, 65.3% were due to COVID-19 and 2.1% were undetermined. For ICU, 24.2% were incidental and 75.7% were due to COVID. (2/10)

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: Transitioning to an endemic state does not mean the virus has disappeared. But we have tools to protect ourselves, allowing us to adjust to living with it. Part of living with it is continuing to adapt to emerging evidence. (1/8) As we age, our immune systems can be slow to respond to challenges & leave us less able to maintain long-term immunity. This is why Alberta will soon offer 4th doses to 70+, FNMI 65+ & residents of long-term care & other congregate living settings for seniors. (2/8)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: There are now 1,131 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 108 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found here: alberta.ca/covid-19-alber…… (1/7) Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 3,527 new cases & completed 11,041 tests. Our positivity rate was 33.0%. Sadly, 8 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health in the last 24hrs. Each life lost to this virus reminds us this virus still presents a very real threat. (2/7)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: There are now 1,101 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 108 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found here: alberta.ca/covid-19-alber…… (1/7) Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 3,837 new cases & completed 10,005 tests. Our positivity rate was 37.8%. Sadly, 6 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health in the last 24hrs. I extend my sincere condolences to all who are grieving the loss of a loved one. (2/7)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: There are now 1,089 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 104 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found here: alberta.ca/covid-19-alber…… (1/8) Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 3,279 new cases & completed 8,995 tests. Our positivity rate was 38.8%. Sadly, there have been 9 new COVID-related deaths reported to AB Health over the last 24 hrs. My sympathies go out to the families and friends who have lost a loved one. (2/8)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: There are now 1,007 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 94 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data incl a weekend breakdown can be found here: alberta.ca/covid-19-alber…… (1/5) Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 4,186 new cases & completed 11,117 tests. Our positivity rate was 37.3%. Sadly, 23 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health since Jan 13. I extend my sincere condolences to all who are grieving the loss of a loved one. (2/5)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: There are now 708 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 80 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found here: alberta.ca/covid-19-alber…… (1/6) Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 4,704 new cases & completed about 12,201 tests. Our positivity rate was 38.4%. Sadly, 8 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health in the last 24hrs. I extend my sincere condolences to all who are grieving the loss of a loved one. (2/6)

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: In the last 24 hours, we ID’d 5,281 new cases of COVID-19 and completed 13,879 tests. Our positivity rate was 38.6%. (1/11) There are 635 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 72 in the ICU. Sadly, I must announce that 6 new deaths have been reported to Alberta Health in the last 72 hours. I extend my deepest sympathies to those who are grieving a loss from any cause. (2/11)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 6,257 new cases out of 16,231 tests. There are now 504 people in hospital with 64 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found at alberta.ca/covid-19-alber… (1/6) Sadly, 2 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health in the last 24hrs. I want to extend my sincerest condolences to the families of these individuals and to anyone who has lost a loved one, from COVID or for any other reason. (2/6)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 4,869 new cases out of 12,318 tests. There are now 498 people in hospital with 64 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found at alberta.ca/covid-19-alber… (1/6) Sadly, 3 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health in the last 24hrs. My deepest sympathies go out to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, whether it’s from COVID or any other reason. (2/6)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 4,752 new cases out of 12,694 tests. 470 people are in hospital with 72 in ICU. Complete, up-to-date data can be found here. alberta.ca/covid-19-alber… (1/7) Sadly, 11 new COVID-related deaths were reported to AB Health in the last 24hrs. I extend my sincere condolences to all who are grieving the loss of a loved one to COVID or for any other reason. (2/7)

Here’s a summary of today’s #COVID19AB numbers. Over the past 24 hours we ID’d about 4K new cases of COVID-19, bringing Alberta’s active cases to about 21K. Our labs completed about 13K tests. 323 people are in hospital w/COVID w/48 in ICU. Our positivity rate is 30%. (1/4) This afternoon, I am taking part in a #COVID19AB cabinet committee meeting to discuss the latest developments & trends with the Omicron variant & the ongoing work to protect Albertans. The live update scheduled for today will now be Dec 31. (2/4)

Here’s a summary of today’s #COVID19AB numbers. Over the past 24 hours we ID’d 2.8K new cases of COVID-19, bringing Alberta’s active cases to 17,396. Our labs completed 5,073 tests. 349 people are in hospital w/COVID w/57 in ICU. Our positivity rate is 29.9%.(1/4) Yesterday we provided estimates for the previous 4 days. The full breakdown by day is now available at alberta.ca/coronavirus-in…. We will be reporting estimates again on Dec 30 & resume full reporting Jan 4. (2/4)

Pfizer & Moderna both use the same technology & offer a high level of protection, particularly against severe outcomes. I encourage Albertans to take advantage of whichever vaccine is available to them most conveniently, rather than waiting for a preferred brand. (8/11) I urge Albertans to keep their circles small and in-person social interactions low as we head into the New Year. While the maximum for indoor gatherings is 10 adults, the smaller the gathering and the fewer get-togethers you attend, the better. (9/11)

I’d like to emphasize that each province in Canada has adjusted reporting over the holidays & today’s #COVID19AB update #s are estimates. They’ll go through our rigorous quality assurance processes before the complete update is posted tomorrow. Numbers may change slightly. (1/11) On Dec. 23, we ID’d about 2K new cases of COVID-19 & completed about 11.5K tests. On Dec. 24, we ID’d about 2.5K new cases, completing about 11.5K tests. On Dec. 25 we ID’d 1.6K cases out of about 7.2K tests. On Dec. 26 we ID’d about 750 new cases out of about 4K tests. (2/11)

Here is a summary of the latest #COVID19AB numbers: There are now 362 people in hospital due to COVID-19. Of the 291 non-ICU, 62.9% are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Of the 71 in ICU, 74.6% are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. (1/5) Over the past 24 hours, we ID’d 456 new cases & completed about 10.1K tests. Complete, up-to-date data can be found here. alberta.ca/covid-19-alber… (2/5)

Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update. Twice before in this past year, we have faced a new variant, so we have seen what can happen with a new and more infectious version of the virus. Each time this meant we needed to change our assumptions & approach. (1/12) Currently, we know Omicron is more transmissible & causes more breakthrough infections in those who have previously been infected & those who have 2 doses of vaccine. (2/12)