estimates from the u.k.
found the delta variant, which has recently led to a spike in cases there, is 40 per cent to 65 per cent more transmissible than the alpha strain (b117). the alpha strain is dominant in alberta.
kenney: covid-19 here to stay
premier jason kenney said at a news conference earlier monday covid-19 isn’t going away any time soon.
“we can expect to see covid and different variant strains ricochet around the world and around our province for years to come,” he said.
kenney said “we’ve never been chasing after zero” and people will continue getting the disease.
“there will be seasonal spikes — i guarantee you there will be one this fall probably starting in mid-october — and some of those people will end up in hospital. sadly, some of those people will pass away,” he said.
kenney again compared the novel coronavirus to influenza, although he acknowledged they are different diseases, and covid-19 is more dangerous.
active covid-19 cases continue falling in alberta, sitting at 3,089 monday. more than three-quarters are of variants of concern.
there were 272 covid-19 patients in hospital, including 75 in intensive care by monday.
one more person has died from covid-19. but a post-mortem ruled a previous covid-19 death was from a different cause, leaving the total at 2,270, according to alberta health spokesman tom mcmillan.