Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, revealed at a press conference on Friday the test positivity rate in the province is at 2.24 per cent.
There are currently 200 active alerts or outbreaks in schools across the province, totalling 489 COVID-19 cases. Of these schools, 91 are currently experience an outbreak, with 22 “on watch” with more than five cases. In Alberta, an outbreak is declared when there are at least two cases in a school.
Dr. Hinshaw also indicated there is an outbreak in the cardiology unit at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute in Edmonton, with three patients testing positive. An outbreak has also been declared at one unit of the Leduc Community Hospital after two patients tested positive for the virus.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said Calgary is shifting to the “watch list” with 686 active cases in the city. Dr. Hinshaw said several outbreaks in Calgary have been linked to social gatherings. No additional measures are being recommended for the city at this time.
Dr. Hinshaw highlights she continues to be “concerned” about the situation in Edmonton, accounting for 54 per cent of active cases in Alberta.
She said the province is going into a “cold, dark time of year” and Albertans need to “hold on to the seeds of hope” and all do their part to protect one another.
