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home / 世界杯决赛2022

alberta exits omicron wave ahead of summer

despite the positive signs, alberta’s chief medical officer of health dr. deena hinshaw said albertans still need to exercise caution and awareness in an effort to live with the virus.

by josh aldrich

jun 10 2022
read time 3 minute read
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health minister jason copping. darren makowichuk/postmedia
alberta has officially left the latest omicron wave behind, according to health minister jason copping.
he made the declaration during thursday afternoon’s covid-19 update, pointing to hospitalizations and icu rates at their lowest point since the onset of the wave.
“today we can see that we are past this wave and in a period of declining transmission,” he said. “barring the arrival of any new variant or some variant that behaves differently, we expect to see low transmission rates throughout the summer, especially as more activities move outside.”
the province also confirmed 42 deaths between may 17 and 23, a number that also continues to trend down. the province removed 33 previously reported deaths between october 2021 and this april from the overall tally, bringing the total number of covid deaths in alberta to 4,597.
the data released by the province on wednesday shows 816 people in hospital, including 24 in icu, the lowest total since aug. 7. alberta’s hospitalization rate of 6.9 people per million is the lowest it has been since dec. 29, when it was 6.3. it peaked at 20.6 in the latest wave on april 20, and at 36.3 with the initial omicron wave on jan. 26.
the rolling seven-day pcr test positivity has also dropped about two points to 15 per cent.
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copping said the province is in the process of preparing for an increase in covid cases in the fall, predicting it shifts to a seasonal occurrence like influenza. he said officials are working to add capacity to the health-care system, including ahs adding more than 800 staff to their emergency rooms since the onset of the pandemic.
“the care deficit is real. it’s a huge challenge for the system, and it’s the same right across our entire country,” said copping.
despite the positive signs, alberta’s chief medical officer of health dr. deena hinshaw said albertans still need to exercise caution and awareness in an effort to live with the virus.
she said people should stay home if they exhibit symptoms, wear masks in times of higher transmission or when visiting with more vulnerable people, and get all available vaccinations. currently, 87.1 per cent of the population aged 12 and up has received two doses of vaccine (77.2 per cent of the total population), while only 38.1 per cent has all three doses.
a fourth dose is still only available to those 70 and over, indigenous people over 65 and up and all seniors in congregate care, regardless of age.
hinshaw said the province is following the advice of the national advisory committee on immunization as well as the provincial body and their recommendation has not changed.

more monkeypox confirmed

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the province has confirmed four cases of monkeypox in alberta, though their locations are being withheld to maintain the individuals’ privacy. they are all in isolation.
hinshaw noted the main demographic for cases around the world has been men who have multiple male sexual partners. however, she said the virus is not sexually transmitted and there have been outbreaks in other demographics. she said the province is working with organizations where there may be an elevated risk to bring awareness and ensure they have accurate and timely data.
“this is not being done to shame or stigmatize anyone, and it does not mean that anyone who has contracted monkeypox or as a close contact has done anything wrong,” hinshaw said.
monkeypox is spread by close skin-to-skin contact by someone who is symptomatic or by touching things that are contaminated with the virus, such as clothes or bedding. anyone experiencing symptoms — which include a fever, swollen glands, new sores or rash — is urged to self isolate and call health link at 811.
jaldrich@postmedia.com

twitter: @joshaldrich03

josh aldrich
josh aldrich

josh aldrich is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience covering communities across western canada. born in drayton valley and growing up in towns and cities throughout the province, he is an albertan at heart and passionate about everything the wild rose province has to offer. he has been reporting for the calgary herald and calgary sun since 2021, primarily covering the local business community.

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