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Alberta’s medical director of health is asking Albertans to take precautions this Halloween.
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Dr. Deena Hinshaw said that while active cases and the number of hospitalizations continue to decline and more Albertans are being vaccinated, COVID-19 numbers were much lower around this time last year.
“Last Halloween we had about 5,600 active cases. Right now, we have almost double that, ”Hinshaw said during the province’s COVID-19 update on Thursday. “Last Halloween there were 141 COVID patients in the hospital, now there are more than 900.”
Hinshaw said Albertans can rest assured celebrating the holiday this year by staying home and not handing out candy if they’re sick, even with mild symptoms.
He added that this is not the time for Halloween parties and under current public health restrictions, outdoor gatherings must be limited to 20 people and indoor gatherings for vaccinated people cannot be more than 10 people. two homes. Indoor gatherings are not allowed for unvaccinated Albertans.
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For those trick-or-treating, Hinshaw recommends wearing a non-medical mask. In the meantime, suggest that those who deliver candy wear a mask and reduce contact by using tongs or placing a tray of prepackaged candies to pick them up without contact.
Alberta reported 770 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, totaling 10,434 active cases in the province, 390 fewer than the previous day. Of those active cases, 2,655 are in the Calgary area and 2,437 are in the Edmonton area.
There are 912 Albertans in the hospital, a decrease of 16 from the previous day. There are 201 people in intensive care.
The province reported eight additional COVID-related deaths on Thursday.
The needles continue to prick the arms in the province with 86.3 percent of those over 12 years old with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those eligible, 78.1 percent are fully vaccinated.
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Although vaccination rates continue to rise in Alberta, Hinshaw said there are still questions about vaccines and their impact on fertility.
“There is no evidence to suggest that these vaccines affect fertility in any way,” he said. “Studies on male and female fertility outcomes after vaccination have shown no negative consequences.”
Hinshaw said he will host a telephone town hall sometime next week to address more questions on the issue. She will tweet a registration form and share it online ASAP.
Hinshaw said the vaccines are also recommended for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, as the risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19 infection in pregnant women has increased with worrying variants.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com