covid-19 hospitalizations, which hit a record high for the third consecutive day tuesday, have been threatening to collapse the province’s health-care system amid the fourth wave of the pandemic. intensive care units have been especially hit hard, and alberta health services has responded by opening more than 150 surge spaces.
province-wide intensive care unit capacity is currently at 87 per cent, and would be at 169 per cent if not for the surge spaces.
the province reported 1,519 new cases of covid-19 on tuesday, and a total of 20,917 active cases. currently, 996 albertans are in hospital with the virus including 222 in the icu. there was an additional 29 covid-related deaths reported on tuesday.
“this heavy death toll is tragic and it is devastating and most importantly it was completely avoidable,” said notley.
four alberta health-care unions previously urged the province to call in the military to help the overwhelmed hospital system.
third doses expanded
meanwhile, the province expanded the list of severely immunocompromised albertans who can receive a third dose of the covid-19 vaccine at least eight weeks after getting a second one.
the newly eligible include individuals in active cancer treatment, those with chronic kidney disease receiving regular dialysis, and people on certain medications for autoimmune diseases.