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Alberta sees spike in variant cases, recording 130 in 24-hour period

Last Updated Mar 19, 2021 at 5:41 pm MDT

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. Ontario is reporting three new cases of the novel coronavirus today, bringing the total in the province to 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Just one day after recording the most variant cases in a 24-hour period since the cases were first identified in Alberta, the province set another record.

In just one day, 130 variant cases were recorded in Alberta, beating out Thursday’s total by 39.

The breakdown shows 129 new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, and one case of the B.1.351 variant.

The rise in variant cases comes as the province also sees an increase in total COVID-19 cases, with 696 being identified on Friday.

Over the last day, the province also saw a slight increase when it comes to hospitalizations, with 276 people now in hospital, and 48 in the ICU.

If there were a bright side coming out of Friday’s update, no deaths were reported in the province for the first time since last year.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw took to Twitter after the numbers were released saying it has been five days since the last time a death was recorded in a continuing care facility, which is a sign the vaccines, combined with public health measures, are working.

When it comes to vaccines, 439,069 doses have now been administered, an increase of just over 20,000 from the day prior.

The number of Albertans fully vaccinated with two doses is now at 92,935.