Alberta saw another weekend of declining COVID-19 case numbers, along with a dip in severe outcomes of the virus.
Since Friday, 788 new cases have been reported in Alberta on more than 20,000 tests for a positivity rate of around 3.8 per cent.
The weekend breakdown is as follows:
- 349 new cases identified on Friday.
- 252 new cases identified on Saturday.
- 187 new cases identified on Sunday.
NEW:
– 5 new COVID deaths reported in Alberta over 72 hours
Fri: 349 cases/8418 tests (4.1%+)
Sat: 252 cases/6958 tests (3.6%+)
Sun: 187 cases/5133 tests (3.6%+)– 366 COVID patients in hospital (-29), inc 72 ICU (-6)
– 4373 active cases (-67)#yeg #Yyc #ableg #Covid19ab pic.twitter.com/4HElyPsae5— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) December 6, 2021
As of Monday afternoon, there are now 4,373 active infections in Alberta — a decrease of 67 cases from Friday’s update.
When it comes to the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, numbers also saw a drop in that field over the weekend.
Currently, there are 366 people in hospital with COVID, a decrease of 29 from Friday. Of those in hospital, 72 are in the ICU.
Alberta Health also reporting five more people have died from COVID-19.
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Since the province opened up vaccine appointments to Albertans aged five to 11, more than 63,000 kids have gotten their first COVID vaccine. Since Friday, 16,464 kids got the shot.
Currently, around 16.1 per cent of kids aged five to 11 have gotten their COVID vaccine.
As for those 12 and older, 89 per cent have now received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, while 84.4 per cent are fully immunized.
First doses in Alberta:
12+: 89%
5+: 81.2%
all ages: 77.2%Second doses:
12+ 84.4%
5+: 76.5%
all ages: 71.8%#yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) December 6, 2021
To date, more than 6.99 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alberta.
More Omicron cases reported in Alberta
Alberta now has 11 confirmed cases of Omicron.
The total has risen after the province recorded eight additional cases of the COVID-19 variant over the weekend, since Friday.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says all but one of the cases were in people who had travelled.
That one exception was a household contact of another person who had contracted the variant.
“These individuals are isolating, and all appropriate public health follow-up is underway,” a tweet from Hinshaw Monday reads. “To date, only mild symptoms have been reported & these individuals are recovering at home.”
These individuals are isolating, and all appropriate public health follow-up is underway. To date, only mild symptoms have been reported & these individuals are recovering at home. As w/the other cases, these individuals have done nothing wrong & should not be stigmatized.(2/9)
— Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (@CMOH_Alberta) December 6, 2021
She notes some other household members of these cases have also tested positive for COVID-19, though it was not confirmed yet if these cases were also of the variant.
Hinshaw adds someone who lived in the same home as one of the people infected with Omicron attended an elementary school and a high school in the North Zone.
The schools have been notified and will be giving out rapid tests.
“It is recommended that anyone who receives a notification letter go for testing & monitor for symptoms. Anyone w/COVID-19 symptoms must isolate & should be tested through AHS,” Hinshaw explained.
The schools will notify any potentially exposed groups & additional testing is being recommended. It is recommended that anyone who receives a notification letter go for testing & monitor for symptoms. Anyone w/COVID-19 symptoms must isolate & should be tested through AHS.(4/9)
— Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (@CMOH_Alberta) December 6, 2021
She says unvaccinated children can still attend school and childcare. However, these kids “should avoid crowded public places for 14 days after the last exposure.”
Fully vaccinated kids may still go to school and attend other activities but parents should monitor them for any symptoms.
Once again, Hinshaw is urging people not to stigmatize those who have contracted the new COVID-19 variant.
“These individuals have done nothing wrong,” a tweet reads.
