Government announces protections for Albertans against the Omicron variant

As of Dec. 15, Albertans aged 50 and older and all health-care workers who had their second dose six months ago or longer can book a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to increase their protection against the virus. This will make up to 700,000 more Albertans eligible to book boosters.

Ramping up health system capacity

Alberta Health is working with Alberta Health Services on planning to restore intensive care unit surge capacity if Omicron begins to put pressure on the health-care system. Alberta Health is also reviewing policies for health-care worker exposure, infection prevention and control, and visitors to acute/continuing care sites.

Clarifying health measures

Albertans are being asked to observe public health measures over the holidays around social gatherings, masking and personal practices. Indoor social gatherings will remain limited to 10 people. This applies to Albertans aged 18 and over, with no limits on those under 18.

Additionally, there will be no limits on number of households and no distinction between vaccine and unvaccinated attendees. With these changes, Alberta’s social gathering restrictions are said to remain among the most stringent in Canada.

“We are closely monitoring developments around the Omicron variant and are taking immediate action to protect Albertans and slow the spread in our province,” says Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta. “We strongly encourage Albertans to do their part to address the threat of Omicron by getting a booster dose, using rapid tests when appropriate and following Alberta’s public health guidelines.”

“More Albertans are choosing to be vaccinated and following public health measures, which is helping protect Alberta’s health system,” adds Jason Copping, Minister of Health. “However, as with past variants, Omicron has the potential to change the situation quickly. Immediately expanding access to booster doses and offering free rapid testing will allow Albertans to identify infections and protect against them.”

“We are expanding our successful at-home rapid testing program to help parents, students and staff feel even more confident about learning safely in the classroom,” says Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education. “It’s another layer of protection, together with vaccines and public health measures, to keep school communities safe.”

“Vaccines remain the most effective tool we have against COVID-19. It is especially important to get the booster dose when eligible with emerging information about third doses being more effective against the Omicron variant,” states Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health. “Vaccines give good protection against severe disease and hospitalization but their effectiveness can decrease over time, especially with this new variant. I encourage eligible Albertans to take advantage of the increased protection that third doses offer, even if they have had a previous COVID-19 infection.”

Booster eligibility expansion

Starting Dec. 15, Albertans aged 50 and older and all health-care workers can book a third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine if they received their second dose at least six months before.

Eligible individuals can book appointments for third doses online with participating pharmacies or AHS by using the Alberta vaccine booking system. Albertans can also call 811, participating pharmacies or participating physicians’ offices.

Albertans who were previously eligible for third doses continue to be able to book their appointments. For information on eligibility, visit alberta.ca/vaccine.

At-home rapid test kits

Starting Dec. 17, Albertans can pick up a free BTNX rapid test kit from 700 select pharmacies in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer, and 140 select Alberta Health Services sites in other communities. To find a location, visit alberta.ca/CovidRapidTests. As more tests become available from Health Canada, more locations will be added, say government officials.

Kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure as many Albertans have access as possible, there is a limit of one box of tests within a 14-day period per person. Albertans can pick up one additional box for another person(s) who cannot pick one up themselves provided they have each individual’s health care number.

Each BTNX rapid test kit contains five rapid tests. For maximum benefit, officials say an individual should use two tests each week, 72 hours apart. Tests are of particular benefit for those who have had a recent COVID-19 exposure. Each test kit includes an information sheet with details on how and when to use the test.

These tests are intended for at-home personal use for regular screening in asymptomatic people. Albertans who screen positive on a rapid test or who have COVID-19 symptoms should book a confirmatory PCR test through Alberta Health Services and must isolate for 10 days or until they receive a negative PCR test result.

In-home rapid tests will also be made available to foster families and kinship caregivers with school-aged children.

Albertans who are looking for tests for their workplace are encouraged to access tests through their employers’ rapid test programs. If an employer does not provide tests, Albertans must provide documentation from privately paid tests.

The rapid test kits provided for free through Alberta’s rapid testing programs cannot be used for the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP), which requires privately paid test results.

Additionally, the rapid test kits cannot be used for travel. They do not include appropriate documentation, so Albertans should not attempt to use them for domestic or international travel needs.

School rapid testing program

All K-6 schools on alert status (two or more cases in the last 14 days who were present at school while infectious) can now request rapid test kits. Participation in the program is optional for schools, parents and staff.

Eligible schools can submit a K-6 at-home rapid testing program request form. More information is available online.

To date, more than 90 schools have requested tests for students and staff and more than 35,000 students and staff have accessed rapid tests through this program, say government officials.

All rapid tests are only for people without COVID-19 symptoms. If an individual has COVID-19 symptoms, they must not use a rapid test. They should stay home, isolate and book a test through Alberta Health Services with the online assessment tool or by calling 811.

Rapid testing program

Rapid tests continue to be available to any public, private or not-for-profit employer or service provider with an approved COVID-19 screening program.

Organizations can continue to apply at alberta.ca/rapidtesting or with their local chamber of commerce.

Social gathering changes

Effective immediately, indoor private social gatherings will no longer be limited to two households. The maximum number of individuals 18 years and older permitted is 10. In addition, there will be no distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated Albertans.

The temporary state of public health emergency has lapsed. However, all other current public health restrictions remain in effect, including mandatory masking in indoor public places.

Outdoor social gathering capacity remains at 20 people, regardless of vaccination status. Physical distancing between households is required.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley issued the following statement in response to news that the Government of Alberta will provide take-home rapid testing kits, expand booster-shot availability, and loosen gathering restrictions:

“”Today, Albertans may be feeling some whiplash. The Premier says unvaccinated Albertans can host at-home gatherings with multiple households while at the same time the Chief Medical Officer says there is a significant risk of a fifth wave that would once again collapse the health care system. This just doesn’t add up.

“It’s hard to tell if the Premier has some evidence that the measures announced will mitigate the risk or if his decisions are based on something other than data, maybe his own leadership review. Albertans are right to wonder if Jason Kenney is rolling the dice again.

“While we are pleased to see the government expand availability for booster shots and offer take-home rapid test kits, we reject the rationale behind the Premier’s assertion that Alberta should loosen restrictions for the Christmas holidays for unvaccinated Albertans.

“This sends the completely wrong message.

“Our healthcare system is still in crisis. The situation on the ground in our ICUs is urgent and highly pressurized. Tens of thousands of Albertans have already had their surgeries canceled or missed out on life-saving treatment or early-diagnosis because of the strain this pandemic has placed on our hospitals. We cannot risk this situation worsening.

“It is clear Alberta may face some form of fifth wave from Omicron, so Albertans must be given both information and reasons to trust their provincial leadership. We call on the Premier to release modeling like B.C. has done, and to establish an independent science advisory body who will help to ensure transparent evidenced based decision making.

“I ask all Albertans to follow the rules, keep your loved ones safe and please, enjoy your holidays.”

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by rdnewsNOW Staff