EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Alberta has confirmed 474 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 additional deaths in the last 24 hours.
A total of 1,447 Albertans have died with COVID-19 being a contributing cause.
Of the newly discovered 11 deaths, five were from the Calgary Zone, five were from the Edmonton Zone, and one was from the North Zone.
There were 8,500 tests completed, putting Alberta at about a 5.4 per cent infection rate.
Latest COVID-19 numbers for Alberta:
– 474 new cases
– 11 new deaths (total 1,447)
– 8,500 test completed (PR: 5.4 per cent)
– 739 in hospital, 120 in ICU— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) January 18, 2021
Since the restart of in-person learning, the province has detected 181 cases in 131 schools, including possible transmission outside of school.
In her latest COVID-19 update, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reminds everyone of the seriousness of the virus.
“While it is encouraging to see these numbers are going down, it is important to keep in mind that over the past 10 years, the average annual recorded death toll from influenza has been 58 deaths per year,” said Hinshaw.
“So, having lost an additional 11 people to COVID-19, which amount to almost 20 per cent of an average full year of influenza data, should not be taken lightly.”
Hinshaw says the province is still working to try and get the COVID-19 vaccine available for those who need it most.
However, with fewer doses being shipped to the country, the plan can be limited for now.
“I know it is challenging to have to wait for this to start. While we cannot control the amount of vaccine available, we are working hard to immunize Albertans as safely and effectively as possible.”
Hinshaw says Alberta should have enough doses to meet second dose appointments and they don’t plan to expand the timeline between shots from 42 days to 90 like Quebec has.
