By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

testing down over the holidays

Alberta’s preliminary COVID-19 data for Dec. 24-27

Dec 27, 2020 | 10:40 AM

Taking a break from the usual daily data dump and press conferences, Alberta Health released ‘modified updates’ and ‘preliminary’ data for COVID-19 from Dec. 24-27.

As of Dec. 22, there were 93,781 total cases confirmed, with 17,821 active. The provincial high was hit Dec. 13 with 21,123 active on the day, but the active caseload declined each day leading up to the province’s break. The death toll on Dec. 22 stood at 890, with 821 people in hospital, including 146 in ICU.

There were 358 active cases in Red Deer as of Dec. 22, down from a pandemic-high of 434 on Dec. 19. The city has also recorded three deaths, all since Dec. 16, all at Points West Living seniors care facility.

Here’s a provincial breakdown for the last four days, with each day’s data released a day later as usual:

Dec. 24 (for Dec. 23)

Budget day 2

Red Deer city council approves 3.97 per cent tax rate increase

6h ago

starting in 2026-27

Red Deer Catholic approves new sites for full day, every day kindergarten

11h ago

cocaine, meth, ghb, fentanyl

Three charged after gun and drug seizure in Red Deer

11h ago

-Estimated 1100 cases
-15,600 laboratory tests
-7% positivity
-hospitalizations > increasing
-ICU > stable

Dec 25 (for Dec. 24)

-Estimated 1200 cases
-17,800 laboratory tests
-7% positivity
-hospitalizations > small increase
-ICU > small increase

Dec. 26 (for Dec. 25)

-Estimated 900 cases
-14,200 laboratory tests
-6% positivity
-hospitalization > small increase
-ICU > small increase

Dec. 27 (for Dec. 26)

-Estimated 500 cases
-6,900 laboratory tests
-7% positivity
-hospitalizations > stable
-ICU > stable

Dr. Hinshaw (Dec. 27): “Please note: fewer people were tested Dec. 25 so fewer tests were processed and reported on Dec. 26.”

The provincial government is expected to hold a media availability on Monday, Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m., have regular data updates from Dec. 28-30, give modified updates from Dec. 31-Jan. 3, a full data update on Jan. 4, and then return to regular media availabilities on Jan. 5.