EDITOR’S NOTE: Throughout the pandemic, case counts have been based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests conducted by provincial agencies such as Alberta Health Services, but those testing protocols have changed to prioritize high-priority groups and people in higher-risk settings. There is no system in Alberta to catalog rapid home antigen tests, which means that many people with COVID-19 are not reflected in the data.
As a result, CBC News will deemphasize case counts in our coverage, in favor of data and metrics that experts say are now more insightful, including hospitalizations and sewage monitoring.
The last:
- Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw gave an update on COVID-19 in the province on May 11.
- The most recent COVID-19 figures released by the province are for the period May 3-9.
- From the end of the day on Monday, 1,225 people were in hospital with COVID, below 1,267 In the past week.
- There was 37 in intensive care, below 46 last week.
- The province reported 70 new COVID deaths between May 3 and 9. A total of 4,391 Albertans have died from the disease.
- There was 4,551 new cases reported outside 21,906 tests. The case count includes only those who test positive on a PCR test, which most Albertans cannot access.
- The average positivity rate was 20.72 percent, compared to 22.98 percent last week.
- At a press conference on May 11, Hinshaw said the death rate from COVID-19 should decline after other indicators such as hospitalizations and sewage numbers decline. That said, Hinshaw added that the disease will be with us for several future waves. “We should expect it to come back potentially in the fall with other respiratory viruses.”
- Copping said Wednesday that he expects to see an increase in the number of Albertans receiving the fourth dose of their vaccine in the coming weeks as they become eligible.
- As of May 4, the province now allows community providers, such as family doctors, to prescribe Paxlovid to those eligible for COVID-19 treatment. A positive rapid test to confirm COVID-19 infection will now be accepted in order to prescribe Paxlovid.
- Politicians and health officials have yet to label the latest surge a “sixth wave,” despite claims by doctors and scientists that it is already here.
- On April 27, Hinshaw said that Canada will stop the use of AstraZeneca products after this week regarding COVID-19 vaccines.
- The province has received 10,000 doses of Novavax Nuvaxovidwhich is described as a “two-dose protein subunit vaccine that does not use mRNA technology and is approved for ages 18 and older.”
Wastewater monitoring:
- Alberta data from a board created by the Center for Health Informatics at the University of Calgary shows the average amount of COVID-19 detected in wastewater. the data is publicly updated three times a week.
- Levels in both Calgary and Edmonton have been declining since about the third week of April.
- The virus is shed in people’s feces before symptoms arise, so the values in the data are most associated with cases occurring six days after samples are collected.
- A note on reading wastewater charts: Numbers taken from different wastewater treatment plants use different testing and collection methods. Because of this, comparisons between cities cannot be made directly and only trends need to be evaluated. For example, there is an upward trend in readings in both Edmonton and Calgary, but whether the levels are higher in one city or the other cannot be said.
The latest on restrictions:
- almost the entire pandemic public health measures lifted in the province beginning March 1, when the Alberta government released Step 2 of its reopening plan.
- This phase removes indoor masking, remaining school requirements, youth screening for entertainment and sports, removal of capacity limits at all large venues and entertainment venues, limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings, and the compulsory work from home.
- Masking still required in high-risk settings, including Alberta Health Services-contracted and operated facilities, all continuing care settings, and municipal transit services. The rule does not cover private services like taxis or Uber rides.
- As of February 14, there are no masking requirements for children and youth ages 12 and under and no mask requirements for children and youth in schools of any age.
- Level 1 entered into force on February 16 and removed the restriction waiver program.
- Premier Jason Kenney says the province is working to a third stagewhich is undated, where people will no longer be required to isolate if they have COVID-19, and operational and COVID outbreak protocols in continuing care facilities will be lifted.
- Copping said that all stages are condition-based approaches, based on hospitalization trends.
Vaccines:
- According to Alberta Health, 77 percent of the population of the province, or 86.9 percent of those over 12 years of age, have received two doses of a vaccine against COVID-19.
- According to the latest statistics from Alberta Health, 44.2 percent of Albertans ages 12 and older have had three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Beginning April 12, all Albertans age 70 and older, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Albertans age 65 and older, and all seniors in group care can receive a fourth dose of the vaccine.
- Children ages six to 11 have the option to receive the Moderna vaccine beginning April 12.
Hospitalizations by region:
At the end of the day on May 9, there were 1,225 Albertans in hospital with COVID.
- Calgary area: 454.
- Edmonton area: 413.
- downtown area: 157.
- North Zone: 118.
- South Zone: 83.
Here are the latest Alberta COVID-19 stories:
Reference-www.cbc.ca