Canada: Alberta October- December 2020 Covid cases/news

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Source: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/this-is...id-19-deaths-counts-1-265-new-cases-1.5204217

'This is a tragic milestone': Alberta reaches 500 COVID-19 deaths, counts 1,265 new cases
Alex Antoneshyn
CTVNewsEdmonton.ca Digital Journalist
Published Wednesday, November 25, 2020 11:30AM MST Last Updated Wednesday, November 25, 2020 4:55PM MST

EDMONTON -- The number of Albertans who have died from COVID-19 has reached 500.

The province is further restricting access to sites where the some of the most vulnerable live and which employ Alberta’s health-care workers.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported 1,265 new cases of COVID-19 in the province on Wednesday, as well as nine deaths linked to the disease.

Seven of the nine deaths were linked to Edmonton-area retirement and long-term care homes or the Grey Nuns Community Hospital.

“This is a tragic milestone,” Hinshaw said, announcing Alberta Health Services would be limiting visitor access to acute care facilities experiencing an outbreak or which are located in communities with 50 or more cases per 100,000 people...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/deena-hinshaw-alberta-covid-19-coronavirus-1.5817515

Alberta's active cases of COVID-19 top 14,000, with 10 more deaths reported
Four weeks ago, Alberta had 4,921 active cases. On Thursday, there were 14,052
CBC News ? Posted: Nov 26, 2020 11:55 AM MT | Last Updated: 28 minutes ago

Active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta topped 14,000 on Thursday, setting another new record, with 10 more deaths reported.

Across the province, 383 people were being treated in hospital for the illness, with 84 of them in ICU beds.

Both numbers, which shattered yesterday's records, are considered key measures in the battle against the disease.

In the coming weeks, Alberta Health Services plans to roll out more than 100,000 rapid COVID-19 testing kits, which will be sent to targeted sites.

Over the last two months, AHS has been evaluating the effectiveness of the Abbott IDNow and PanBio COVID-19 testing kits, the province said in a news release.

The rapid tests will be rolled out in clinical pilot projects at an assessment centre in Calgary and one in Edmonton, at assessment centres in Slave Lake and St. Paul, and at the hospital lab in Bonnyville.

"Rapid tests are only valid for symptomatic folks who have shown symptoms in the last seven days," Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Thursday at a news conference. "So these tests are not for close contacts, nor are they for those who may have been exposed but are asymptomatic."...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...27-new-covid-19-cases-9-more-deaths-1.5819409

Alberta reports 1,227 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more deaths
Cases surge as province begins three weeks of restrictions in effort to slow pandemic
CBC News ? Posted: Nov 27, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 33 minutes ago

Alberta reported 1,227 new cases of COVID-19 and nine new deaths Friday.

That brings the number of active cases to a record 14,217.

Today is the final day of in-school classes for junior and senior high students in Alberta, and the waiting has begun to see what impact the government's new measures will have, if any, on the COVID-19 outbreak in the province.

For the next three weeks, Grade 7 to 12 classrooms will remain empty. Indoor social gatherings are banned, outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people and access to some businesses will be restricted, while masks will be mandatory at indoor workplaces in Edmonton and Calgary.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, asked Albertans Friday to cut back on their in-person interactions with others...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...-new-covid-19-cases-in-the-last-day-1.5820880

Alberta sees single-day record high with 1,731 new COVID-19 cases
Five additional deaths due to the virus were also recorded
CBC News ? Posted: Nov 28, 2020 4:12 PM MT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago


Alberta reported 1,731 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the most reported in a single day in the province since the pandemic began.

There are now 14,931 active COVID-19 cases in Alberta. This includes 415 people around the province hospitalized due to COVID-19 with 88 in intensive care.

Along with the record high new cases, five more deaths due to COVID-19 have been recorded in Alberta in the last 24 hours.

The five deaths reported on Saturday include a man in his 80s in the Calgary Zone who died on Nov. 16. In the Edmonton Zone, the deaths of a man in his 70s and a woman in her 80s were recorded as well...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/deena-hinshaw-alberta-covid-19-coronavirus-1.5822070

Another Alberta COVID-19 record falls with 1,733 new cases reported
More records were shattered as Alberta reports 5,072 new cases in past three days
CBC News ? Posted: Nov 30, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 27 minutes ago


With COVID-19 cases continuing to break records, Alberta added 20 additional intensive-care beds in Edmonton over the past week and 10 more in Calgary.

On a day when the province saw its highest number of new cases yet with 1,733, Alberta Health Services said plans are in the works to more than double the number of ICU spaces.

"There is no doubt that the hospital system is under significant strain," Dr. David Zygun, medical director for the Edmonton zone, said at a news conference on Monday. "Having said that, we have planned extensively for it and we are executing those plans as the demand increases."

AHS is maximizing space by cohorting patients and by using decommissioned spaces, Zygun said, and is looking at transferring patients from acute-care beds to other primary care or continuing-care facilities to free up hospital beds.

The province normally has 173 general adult ICU beds, but is preparing for increased demand over the coming days and weeks, with plans to expand the number of ICU beds to 425, he said...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/deena-hinshaw-alberta-covid-19-coronavirus-1.5822070

Another COVID-19 record falls in Alberta, with 1,733 new cases reported
More records were shattered as Alberta reports 5,072 new cases in past three days
CBC News ? Posted: Nov 30, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: December 1

With COVID-19 cases continuing to break records, Alberta added 20 additional intensive-care beds in Edmonton over the past week and 10 more in Calgary.

On a day when the province saw its highest number of new cases yet with 1,733, Alberta Health Services said plans are in the works to more than double the number of ICU spaces.

"There is no doubt that the hospital system is under significant strain," Dr. David Zygun, medical director for the Edmonton zone, said at a news conference on Monday.

"Having said that, we have planned extensively for it, and we are executing those plans as the demand increases."

AHS is maximizing space by cohorting patients and by using decommissioned spaces, Zygun said, and is looking at transferring patients from acute-care beds to other primary care or continuing-care facilities to free up hospital beds.

The province normally has 173 general adult ICU beds but is preparing for increased demand over the coming days and weeks, with plans to expand the number of ICU beds to 425, he said...

 

[sharon sanders]

bump this

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-coronavirus-covid-19-deena-hinshaw-1.5826900

Alberta once again shatters COVID-19 record with 1,854 new cases
Province has reported almost 10,000 new cases over the past six days
CBC News ? Posted: Dec 03, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 4 minutes ago
COVID-19 update for Alberta
22 minutes ago

Alberta once again shattered records on Thursday, with 1,854 new cases and a positive-test rate of 9.5 per cent.

Both of those numbers have never been higher.

The province has 17,743 active cases, with 511 people being treated in hospital for the illness, including 97 in ICU beds.

Another 14 deaths were reported on Thursday.

The regional breakdown of active cases on was:

Edmonton zone: 8,331
Calgary zone: 6,445
Central zone: 1,251
North zone: 991
South zone: 633
Unknown: 92

Compared to what happened in the spring, just how bad is the second wave of Alberta's COVID-19 pandemic?

Think about this.

The province reported its first case of the respiratory illness on March 5. It took until June 28, 116 days, for the total number of cases to reach 8,050. That included 7,255 people who had recovered, 641 active cases and 154 deaths.

Alberta reported 8,064 new cases over the past five days alone.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw will give her latest update at a news conference scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

You can watch it here live.

As noted above, the past five days have been grim...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...positivity-rate-hits-grim-milestone-1.5828558

Alberta's COVID-19 test positivity rate of more than 10% 'should concern us all,' Hinshaw says
Province reports 1,828 new cases of COVID-19 Friday and 15 additional deaths
CBC News ? Posted: Dec 04, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 13 minutes ago

On a day that Alberta reported 18,243 active cases of COVID-19 and 15 additional deaths, the province also reported a record high test positivity rate.

The positivity rate climbed to 10.5 per cent, a "grim milestone and one that should concern us all," Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, told a news conference Friday.

With almost 17,200 people tested, and one of every 10 testing positive, the total number of new cases in Alberta reached 1,828.

To date 590 people have died in Alberta. As of Friday there were a record 533 people in hospital, including 99 in intensive care...

 

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Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/7504284/alberta-coronavirus-dec-5-update/

Alberta reports 1,879 COVID-19 cases Saturday, expert warns ‘strong restrictive measures’ needed
By Allison Bench Global News
Posted December 5, 2020 5:56 pm
Updated December 5, 2020 6:21 pm

As Alberta saw another record-high day of COVID-19 positives with 1,879 additional cases identified Saturday, a Calgary doctor and medical school professor says the provincial health system is being stretched thin and more measures are needed — immediately.

“We’re entering a very scary phase of this wave of the pandemic, and we don’t unfortunately see that the measures that have been implemented are going to make enough of a shift in that,” Dr. Christine Gibson, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary, said Saturday.

Another six people have died, bringing the provincial fatality number to 596...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-covid-19-coronavirus-1.5831422

Alberta needs new COVID-19 restrictions as province tops 20,000 active cases: Hinshaw
Death toll in Alberta hits 631, with more than 600 people being treated in hospitals
CBC News ? Posted: Dec 07, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago

Alberta will have to bring in additional restrictions if it hopes to slow the spread of COVID-19, which has now topped 20,000 active cases, says the province's top public health doctor.

The latest measures brought in have put the province in a better position than if those restrictions not been introduced, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, said Monday at a news conference.

But those measures are not bending the curve enough, Hinshaw said.

"I think that the current measures that we have in place are not likely to be sufficient to bring down our numbers," she said. "So if the goal is to bring our numbers down, we will need additional measures to be able to do that.

"The exact restrictions that are needed — that's where that question lies. But I do believe we do need additional restrictions in order to bring our case numbers down and protect our health-care system."

Hinshaw said her team will make recommendations to Premier Jason Kenney and his cabinet in coming days.
Another grim milestone

The province hit another grim milestone on Monday with 20,067 active cases COVID-19, and reported 16 more deaths, including four on the same day in the same Edmonton care centre. That brings the death toll to 631 since the pandemic began in March.

Across the province a total of 609 people were being treated in hospitals for the illness, including 108 in ICU beds.

The province reported 1,735 new cases, down more than 100 from the day before...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/covid-alberta-briefing-hinshaw-kenney-1.5832682

Alberta to impose tough new restrictions in bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infection rates
Government imposes province-wide mandatory mask mandate, close casinos, restaurants, pubs
CBC News ? Posted: Dec 08, 2020 10:08 AM MT | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago

The Alberta government ordered the closure of all casinos and gyms, banned dine-in service at restaurants and bars, and imposed a mandatory province-wide mask requirement under new restrictions aimed at curbing the province's soaring COVID-19 infection rates.

The province also banned all outdoor and indoor social gatherings, and impose mandatory work-from-home measures.

"Those of us in government, who frankly have secure paycheques, can too easily make the mistake of thinking of these policies as abstractions," Premier Jason Kenney said at a news conference Tuesday.

"It's too easy to just think of them as words on a piece of paper, or to think of social and economic activity, in other words, to think of our lives together as a community as some kind of a switch that the government can just flick on and off at will."

But restrictions imposed by governments cost jobs and hurt businesses, he said, and trample on "constitutionally protected rights and freedoms."

"The mental, emotional and health consequences of these decisions are devastating, and leaders should not turn away from admitting that, to contemplating that, and to balancing that off against the public health imperative, because these devastating impacts, for many, will be long-lasting."...

 

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Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/7511222/alberta-covid-19-update-december-9/

Alberta to begin coronavirus vaccine rollout next Wednesday as 1,460 new cases of COVID-19 reported
By Caley Ramsay Global News
Posted December 9, 2020 12:45 pm
Updated December 9, 2020 6:50 pm

Editor’s note: Alberta Health officials originally stated 1,640 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday. However, the number of new cases is 1,460. This story has been updated with the correct case number.

Alberta will administer its first doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine next Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the rollout plan Wednesday, which will begin with 3,900 doses of the vaccine for 3,900 healthcare workers, including ICU doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and long-term care workers throughout the province.

“These staff are exhausted and they’ve put themselves at risk for 10 months,” Shandro said. “Alberta is ready to deliver this vaccine.”

The announcement came Wednesday afternoon, after Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was officially approved for use in Canada on Wednesday morning...

 

[sharon sanders]

bump this

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-adds-1-566-covid-19-cases-13-deaths-1.5225731

Alberta adds 1,566 COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths
Diego Romero
CTVNewsEdmonton.ca Digital Journalist
Published Thursday, December 10, 2020 11:07AM MST Last Updated Thursday, December 10, 2020 2:59PM MST

EDMONTON -- Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported 1,566 new cases of COVID-19 from 16,793 tests and 13 more deaths on Thursday.

Alberta now has 20,163 active cases, 682 patients in hospital and 124 of them in intensive care...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...8-new-covid-19-cases-18-more-deaths-1.5837816

Alberta reports 1,738 new COVID-19 cases, 18 more deaths
684 people now in hospital with disease, including 123 in ICU
CBC News ? Posted: Dec 11, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 22 minutes ago

Alberta reported 1,738 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and 18 additional deaths.

The new cases bring the total active cases in the province to 20,161, dropping slightly for the third straight day.

There were 684 people in hospital with the disease, including 123 in intensive care.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, spoke Friday about two new ads urging Albertans not to gather socially over the holidays.

"Our goal is to get people's attention, to help them see common situations from a different perspective, and as a result to influence their behaviour," Hinshaw said at a news conference...

 

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Source: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-...19-on-deadliest-day-yet-for-alberta-1.5229609

Calgary zone reports 3 fatalities from COVID-19 on deadliest day yet for Alberta
Michael Franklin
CTVNewsCalgary.ca Senior Digital Producer
Published Sunday, December 13, 2020 3:39PM MST

CALGARY -- The province has recorded the largest number of fatalities in a single day for the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Edmonton zone bearing the bulk of the tragic circumstances.

Alberta Health announced 22 people have died as a result of coronavirus in the province Sunday, pushing the total fatalities from the disease to 719.

It also reported 1,717 new infections...

 

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Source: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta...rovince-has-only-achieved-a-plateau-1.5230707

Alberta adds record 1,887 new cases; CMOH says province has only achieved a 'plateau'
Alex Antoneshyn
CTVNewsEdmonton.ca Digital Journalist
Published Monday, December 14, 2020 12:58PM MST

EDMONTON -- While readying freezers for the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, Alberta confirmed 1,887 new cases of the disease -- the most it had ever counted in a 24-hour period.

On Monday, the province's chief medical officer of health reported 20,000 tests had been done on Sunday.

Of 716 people in hospital with the disease, 136 were in ICUs. The province's positivity rate sat at about eight per cent.

There were also 15 more COVID-19-related deaths.

'A PLATEAU IS NOT ENOUGH': HINSHAW

Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported the numbers at a news conference during which Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the first doses of Pfizer's vaccine were about to arrive in the province, and that his department was preparing to receive thousands more next week.

Shandro warned despite the vaccine's arrival, the weeks ahead would be Alberta's "toughest yet."...

 

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Source: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/1-270-n...t-hospital-to-be-set-up-in-edmonton-1.5233869

1,270 new COVID-19 cases in Alberta on Wednesday; Red Cross tent hospital to be set up in Edmonton
Alex Antoneshyn
CTVNewsEdmonton.ca Digital Journalist
Published Wednesday, December 16, 2020 11:08AM MST Last Updated Wednesday, December 16, 2020 3:50PM MST

EDMONTON -- With nearly 750 Albertans in hospital with COVID-19, the province has finalized plans for Red Cross Canada to set up an "alternate care centre" or tent hospital at the University of Alberta's Butterdome.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Wednesday the facility would create 100 more inpatient beds if needed, but that there were no plans to staff the site as of yet.

"This is a purely precautionary measure for use if needed in the future."

The tent hospital will take several weeks to set up, Hinshaw said.

The province confirmed 1,270 new cases of COVID-19 over some 17,500 tests in 24 hours.

Its positivity rate has dropped to 7.3 per cent, although 749 people remain in hospital with disease. Of those, 139 are receiving intensive care.

Alberta's top doctor also reported 16 new deaths related to the disease, bringing the total death tally since March to 760.

"It is a sobering statistic that in less than 10 months, more Albertans have died from COVID-19 than have died from influenza in the last 10 years combined."...

 

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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/deena-hinshaw-alberta-covid-briefing-1.5847203

Alberta reports 25 more COVID-19 deaths and 1, 413 new cases
As of Friday 759 people were in hospital, 141 in intensive care
CBC News ? Posted: Dec 18, 2020 1:30 PM MT | Last Updated: 17 minutes ago


Alberta reported 25 more deaths due to COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number of deaths in the pandemic to 815.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw updated Albertans on the spread of COVID-19 after the province reported a record-breaking 30 new deaths on Thursday.

Hinshaw reported 1,413 new cases Friday, bringing the number of active cases in Alberta to 19,607.

As of Friday 759 people were in hospital, including 141 in intensive care...