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.
NEW:
– 696 new COVID cases on 11918 tests in Alberta (5.8%+)
– 276 in hospital (+12), 48 in ICU (+5)
– deaths remain flat at 1957
– 5429 active cases (+345)#Yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/RH952B1967— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 19, 2021
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.
Simple acts such as physical distancing from anyone not in your household & staying home when sick will help protect us, our families & our communities. I know we’ve all had enough of COVID-19 restrictions, but we must be vigilant a little longer. (3/4)
— Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (@CMOH_Alberta) March 19, 2021
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.