Positive test rate drops below 5%
Latest test numbers `very encouraging,' but Albertans need to remain vigilant
Alberta's positivity rate has dropped below five per cent for the first time in nearly 12 weeks thanks to the COVID -19 measures brought in late last year, says the province's top doctor.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said during her daily update on Wednesday that the province's positivity rate decreased to 4.5 per cent on 14,888 completed tests. The last time the rate was in this range was on Oct. 31 where Alberta had a positivity rating of 4.17 per cent on 13,203 completed tests.
At that time, infection rates continued to rise with the highest recorded on Dec. 3 at 11.13 per cent on 17,308 tests. To curb the rate of infection the Alberta government announced restrictions in late November and early December.
Hinshaw said those restrictions have achieved their goal, but Albertans need to continue to build on that success.
“It's very encouraging to see our positivity rate steadily declining since the peak in December,” she said. “What is critical at this point is that we maintain enough measures to continue going down. While we have lower case numbers and lower positivity rates, we are still seeing a large number of people still needing hospital and (intensive care unit) care.”
The province reported 21 additional deaths Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 1,484. This is the highest reported number of deaths in a single day since Jan. 12.
Hinshaw said Albertans need to remain vigilant to avoid these kinds of outcomes.
On Monday, the province eased some restrictions to allow personal wellness businesses like salons and barbershops to reopen by appointment only. Hinshaw said the decision to loosen more restrictions will depend on how quickly the burden on acute care is eased.
Alberta reported 669 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases to 10,565. More than 740 people are in hospital with 124 of those in intensive care. More than 106,380 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19 and 95,243 doses of vaccine were administered on Tuesday.
During the update, Hinshaw addressed frustrations by healthcare workers who were encouraged last week to book for vaccination but had to have appointments delayed or rescheduled after Pfizer announced a shortage in supply.
“With the numbers that we're seeing right now, in terms of the anticipated Pfizer doses that will be coming to us in the next several weeks, we simply do not have enough vaccine to be able to both provide second doses to those who've already received their first and to also offer first doses to additional people,” she said. “I would ask health-care workers and others to be patient and to assure them that we're doing everything we can to plan forward to make sure when we do have enough supply that hopefully, the experience of booking and receiving the vaccine will be as smooth as possible for them.”
Meanwhile, Edmonton Public Schools recorded on Wednesday single cases linked to Dan Knott, Sherwood, Kirkness and J. Percy Page. Three have been linked to M.E. Lazerte.
Edmonton Catholic Schools recorded single cases linked to Mother Margaret Mary and St. Bernadette and two cases linked to St. Bonaventure.