COVID-19: Alberta CMOH Hinshaw Warns of Possible Fifth Wave; 321 new cases Tuesday

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With COVID-19 cases continuing at the lower end of the fourth wave scale, Alberta’s chief physician says the wintry weather and the upcoming holiday season could be cause for concern.

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In Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer for health, said that increased indoor gatherings could cause a devastating increase in the province’s cases.

“With the seasonality of the virus, people who move indoors and are at greater risk indoors, there is a risk that we may see a fifth wave,” Hinshaw said.

Alberta reported 321 new cases of the virus Tuesday with a positive test of about 5.1 percent.

There are currently 5,565 active cases in the province, a decrease of 263 cases compared to the previous day. The Calgary area has 1,785 active cases and the Edmonton area has 1,202.

Albertans in hospital beds and intensive care units with COVID-19 didn’t see much change. There are now 518 people in the hospital, one less than the day before and there are 101 people in the ICU, an increase of one patient from Monday’s figures.

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There were 13 additional deaths reported Tuesday.

To minimize the spread of COVID-19 this winter, Hinshaw reminded Albertans to continue to follow current collection restrictions. Fully vaccinated individuals from two households can gather in a private residence with no more than 10 people present, while indoor social gatherings are not allowed for unvaccinated individuals.

Hinshaw noted that there is another way for vaccinated Albertans to come together.

“We also have the ability for venues to host events through the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP), where it is guaranteed that there is that control and balance over the attendees to minimize the possibility that these events may be events of great diffusion” . Hinshaw said.

Of eligible Albertans ages 12 and older, 87.9 percent have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 82.3 percent of eligible individuals are fully vaccinated.

Alberta Health said 328,070 booster doses have been administered to date, and 42,125 of those third doses have been injected into the arms of Albertans since November 8, when eligibility was extended earlier this month.

Hinshaw said there is no set timeline for when eligibility will be expanded again, but they are always looking closely at the available data and taking it into consideration when making decisions about eligibility in Alberta’s vaccine program.

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Companies can now apply for the REP grant

Eligible businesses can now apply for a $ 2,000 grant under the $ 20 million Restrictions Waiver Program Implementation Grant that was announced by the provincial government in October.

Small and medium-sized organizations can use the grant money however they see fit.

“The restrictions waiver program has allowed participating organizations to operate almost as usual,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Employment, Economy and Innovation in a press release Tuesday.

“We know there is a cost to implement the program, so we are responding by providing $ 2,000 to businesses.”

Alberta is the first province to grant funding to businesses participating in a program that requires eligible customers to show proof of vaccination, negative test result, or medical exemption to receive the service.

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Reference-edmontonjournal.com

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