By Chris Brown

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Variants continue to rise as Alberta reports 692 new COVID-19 cases

Mar 24, 2021 | 4:27 PM

With nearly 700 new COVID-19 cases in Alberta reported Wednesday, the province’s top doctor says there isn’t one single sector or activity driving the recent increase.

“We have seen indoor social gatherings, outbreaks and people working while symptomatic all play a role, along with many other factors,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Wednesday.

She said the recent growth is the result of little moments in many different settings when people are in close contact with others and give the virus opportunities to transmit.

“This has always been one of the biggest challenges with COVID-19 and variants make it even more difficult,” the chief medical officer of health said.

Another 692 cases of COVID-19 were identified across the province over the past 24 hours. That’s out of 12,835 tests for a positivity rate of 5.2 per cent.

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The number of active cases in Alberta now stands at 6,534, an increase of 303.

There are 285 hospitalizations from COVID-19, a decrease of five, including 53 in ICUs.

Two COVID-19 deaths were reported to Alberta Health in the last 24 hours to bring the province’s total as of Wednesday to 1,973.

More than 200 cases of variants of concern were identified in the past 24 hours. They now account for about 19 per cent of all active cases in Alberta.

The province has also identified the first two community-acquired cases of the P1 (Brazilian) variant. They were reported yesterday and follow-up is ongoing, said Hinshaw.

Hinshaw said a change in reporting of variant of concern cases will speed up the process, but will likely cause a one-time instance of two days being reported on Thursday.

She continues to urge people to follow all the public health measures in place, “even when we don’t feel like,” and staying home and getting tested when sick and wearing a mask when out.

Hinshaw said in some ways they matter more than ever “because we are getting so close to the end of this pandemic thanks to vaccines.”

She also sought to reassure people about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Blood clots have been reported in some people who’ve received the vaccine.

“It’s also important to remember that COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of blood clots and other serious health issues,” she said.

Hinshaw said an unvaccinated Albertan between 20 and 49 years old has on average a 500 times higher risk of dying from COVID-19 after testing positive than having one of the rare types of blood clots being seen after vaccination.

Red Deer saw its total case count since the start of the pandemic surpass the 3,000 mark on Wednesday to sit at 3,006, an increase of 18 from Tuesday.

The number of active cases in Red Deer is up 12 to 144. Recoveries are up five to 2,828. Red Deer’s official death toll from COVID-19 remains 34.

Active cases locally as of Wednesday:

Red Deer County: 18 (-1)

Sylvan Lake: 22 (+2)

Lacombe County: 40 (–)

City of Lacombe: 41 (+2)

Ponoka County: 105 (-8)

Clearwater County: 19 (–)

Brazeau County: 14 (+1)

Mountain View County: 10 (–)

Olds: 8 (-1)

Kneehill County: 4 (–)

County of Stettler: 9 (+1)

The Central Zone has 581 active cases as of Wednesday and 34 hospitalizations, including six in ICU. The zone has had 122 deaths attributed to COVID-19, including the death of a man in his 70s on March 22 linked to the outbreak at Red Deer Regional Hospital. The man had comorbidities.

The outbreak at the hospital was opened on March 9. There are 14 cases, 12 of which are active, and two deaths.

More than half a million doses of vaccine have now been administered in Alberta. Nearly one in 10 Albertans have received at least one dose to protect them against COVID-19.

(With file from Chris Brown – CHAT News Today)