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Another 1,210 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the province since Friday, as hospitalizations and active cases from Alberta continued to decline.
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Cases reported on Monday include 533 on Friday, 335 on Saturday, and 342 on Sunday. provincial data shows. Eighteen deaths from COVID-19 were reported to provincial health officials in the previous three days.
Hospitalizations fell from 76 to 689, including 23 fewer COVID-19 patients in need of intensive care. As of Monday, 157 COVID-19 patients were in the ICU.
Active cases decreased from 578 to 7,580 across the province. Each health zone has fewer cases.
The Edmonton Zone, which includes the city of Edmonton and surrounding municipalities, had 1,724 active cases as of Monday, while the Calgary Zone had 1,985. The North Zone had the third highest number of active cases with 1,606.
Both hospitalizations and cases have declined steadily in recent weeks since Alberta surpassed the height of the fourth wave of the pandemic. The number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU peaked at 267 on Sept. 28, and new reported cases peaked at 2,000 on Sept. 16, according to the province. adjusted data shows.
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80% double vacuum
Meanwhile, Alberta passed a vaccine milestone Monday: 80 percent of people 12 and older have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. About 87 percent have had one, the province announced in a press release.
About 264,000 Albertans received their first vaccine and 293,000 received their second since Sept. 15, the day the province unveiled its vaccine passport program. Last month, Prime Minister Jason Kenney said this program had a “real positive impact” on reducing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the province.
The province also urged everyone who can get vaccinated on Monday, both to stop the spread of the disease and to prevent the health system from becoming overwhelming again.
“More and more Albertans are choosing to protect themselves against COVID-19 due to the undeniable fact that vaccines work and save lives,” Prime Minister Jason Kenney said in a press release. “It is great news that we have reached this milestone that will also help ease the pressure on our healthcare system going forward.”
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief of the medical office of health, also reminded Albertans that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing people exposed to the virus from becoming seriously ill. Hospitalizations are declining, but the trend could quickly reverse if Albertans aren’t careful, he said.
“We need as many people as possible to choose vaccine protection to help the numbers move in the right direction.”
Vaccine appointments are available at alberta.ca/vaccine and in community pharmacies and clinics.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com