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The fourth wave of COVID-19 in Alberta continues to collapse as cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions steadily decline.
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On Friday, the province reported 841 new COVID-19 cases, including 470 cases on Wednesday and 371 cases on Thursday, as no data was reported on Remembrance Day. Alberta has 263 fewer cases than was reported Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 5,745.
In keeping with this week’s trend, the number of patients hospitalized for the disease between Wednesday and Thursday dropped to 554 from 582, while the count of patients in intensive care also dropped to 110 from 123.
However, the province reported seven more deaths, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 in Alberta to 3,171.
As of Thursday, 81.8 percent of Albertans age 12 and older have been fully vaccinated, while 87.7 percent have received at least one dose. In Alberta, more than 6.68 million doses have been administered.
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Alberta receives 5,000 doses of Janssen vaccine
The province also announced that Albertans age 18 and older can book appointments for Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine by calling Health Link at 811. Since the province has received only 5,000 doses, the Janssen vaccine will only be available at Alberta Health Services clinics at select locations throughout the province.
At a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Jason Kenney said the government has heard of a vaccine lawsuit from several unvaccinated Albertans .
“If people, for their own reasons, based on their own research or priorities, have chosen this as the best vaccine for them, we respect that choice and we want to be there to support them in that choice,” Kenney said.
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Like the Vaxzevria vaccine from AstraZeneca, the Johnson & Johnson injection is a viral vector vaccine , which uses a harmless virus that, once injected into the body, produces new coronavirus spike proteins. Those proteins allow the body to prepare an immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19.
Both injections are approved by Health Canada, but Janssen, unlike AstraZeneca, only requires one dose for a full cycle.
Kenney also said he asked Ottawa for 20,000 doses of Janssen, as well as millions of rapid COVID-19 antigen test kits.
Moving to improve immunization records
Beginning next Monday, Albertans attempting to access businesses or locations that participate in the Restriction Waiver Program must present proof of vaccination with a new QR code.
Immunization records from First Nations and the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as immunization records provided by other provinces and territories, will continue to be accepted.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com