COVID cases continue fall in Alberta as Halloween approaches

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID cases continue to see a steady decline in Alberta as the province gets closer to dipping below 10,000 active infections.

The province hasn’t been below that mark since late August.

On Thursday, there were 770 new cases of COVID-19 reported on nearly 12,000 tests — a positivity rate of around 6.5 per cent.

While the province did report nearly 800 new cases, the active case count dropped by nearly 400 to 10,434.

Infection numbers aren’t the only ones on the decline.

Hospitalization numbers continue to steadily drop, as there are now 912 people in hospital as of Thursday afternoon. That’s a 16 person decrease from Wednesday.

Of those in hospital, 201 are in the ICU.

“We continue to see these numbers declining, but it’s important to remember that this takes time,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Thursday. “This trend could reverse quickly if we are not careful.”

The province also reported eight more people have died from COVID-19.

This brings the province’s total death count from COVID-19 to 3,014.

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Alberta has now surpassed 6.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered.

Of the eligible population, 86.3 per cent have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, while 78.1 per cent are fully immunized.

Hinshaw says, to date, more than 231,000 booster doses have been administered to those with severe immune compromising conditions, First Nations, Metis and Inuit people 65 and older, as well as seniors 75 and older.

Halloween and COVID-19

Dr. Deena Hinshaw ended Thursday’s live COVID update by talking about Halloween, which is just over a week away.

She says there is a way to enjoy the night with your kids, while also staying safe and protecting your community.

If you are sick, Hinshaw asks you to please stay home and not hand out any candy.

“Second, this is not the year for large Halloween parties. If you’re planning a Halloween gathering, try to have it outdoors, and to make sure that the limit of no more than 20 people is observed with two meters of distancing between members of different households,” she explained.

As for indoor gatherings, Hinshaw reinforced current public health restrictions that state no more than 10 fully immunized people from two households can gather.

“For eligible adults who are not fully immunized, indoor private social gatherings are not permitted.”

Hinshaw suggested for those handing out candy to sanitize their hands often and wear a mask, she also suggested using tongs to help avoid any sort of contact with candy or with others.

“Last Halloween we had about 5,600 active cases,” Hinshaw explained. “Right now, we have almost double that amount. Last Halloween there were 141 COVID patients in hospital. Right now there are over 900.

“This Halloween, we can still have fun, but please do it in a safe way.”