but, not having a consistent level of high vaccination rates across the province, along with the more infectious delta variant, seems to be driving cases higher than anticipated.
saxinger is concerned by the increasing number of people falling seriously ill and ending up in hospital, including a younger demographic, those 18 to 64. young people seem to recover more quickly, however, and the risk of them dying is low.
“there’s been increasing (overall) hospitalizations kind of week over week … that just is quite concerning, that the delta variant is changing the equation,” she said.
“we really do see a non-reassuring number of young people who are getting significantly ill.”
alberta’s chief medical officer of health dr. hinshaw said this spring there appeared to be some “seasonality” to covid-19.
but saxinger said whatever protection warmer weather was expected to give is falling away already — cases and hospitalizations are also much higher this summer, heading into the fall, than last year.
pandemic end within reach
saxinger said the end of the pandemic is within reach if we use the tools we have now, like getting vaccinated, and working to increase all shots in areas that are lagging behind.