(Gov't of Alberta livestream)

By Chris Brown (CHAT News Today)

more changes

Province lowers isolation time for vaccinated Albertans without symptoms

Dec 31, 2021 | 11:23 AM

Alberta is lowering the required isolation time for vaccinated individuals as long as their symptoms have resolved.

The change comes into effect on Jan. 3

“People who have previously received at least two doses of vaccines and test positive for COVID will be required to isolate for five days instead of 10, as long as their symptoms have fully resolved by that time,” Health Minister Jason Copping said at a Dec. 31 update.

Individuals must wear a mask around others at all times when outside their home for the five days following isolation.

“We feel this is prudent given the evidence that shows that fully-immunized people have shorter infectious periods,” Copping said.

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The change is in line with Ontario and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control in the United States.

Copping reiterated that anyone who has symptoms must isolate until symptoms are resolved, whether or not they are vaccinated or are confirmed to have COVID.

“We’re making these changes to help prevent disruptions in Alberta’s workforce, especially for those who deliver the services Albertans count on,” Copping said. “We believe this step will help balance the need for continuity in the workforce, the wellbeing of Albertans and our need to continue to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.”

An exception is being provided for workplaces where a disruption of service for 24 hours or more would be harmful to the public and there is no other way to continue service except by bringing workers back before their isolation period is over.

Additional health measures will be in effect in those places, such as mandatory masking at all times.

People whose symptoms haven’t resolved will need to continue to isolate until they are feeling better.

Copping said the health measures already in place for gatherings, masking requirements and the expanded rollout of booster shots and rapid tests remain in effect.

Chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said there is no new COVID-19 data available today. The next update of case numbers, from Dec-30-Jan. 3, will happen on Jan. 4.

She did say there are about 21,000 known active cases of COVID-19 in the province, up from the 17,000+ reported on Dec. 29.

“As has been true throughout the pandemic, the total number of new and active cases in the province is greater than those figures,” Hinshaw said.

On Thursday, the province estimated there were 4,000 new COVID cases.

It’s the third time in a week and second time in as many days Alberta has set a new daily record, following the record 2,775 cases in the detailed update on Dec. 29.

The province is also estimating a 30 per cent positivity rate today.

NDP Health Critic David Shepherd issued the following statement in response to today’s public health update:

“Albertans still have no plan from the UCP Government to get through the fifth wave of COVID-19.

“Reducing isolation time for those with symptoms is not a solution to widespread staffing issues in schools and hospitals that were directly caused by the policies of this Government.

“We know the UCP Cabinet met for hours yesterday and all they came up with was delaying the reopening of schools because they have no plan to keep them safe and reduce isolation times. That is pathetic.

“What we see today is not even remotely close to the leadership we need right now as we see unprecedented numbers of COVID cases confirmed day after day.”

Following a COVID cabinet committee meeting on Thursday, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announced the winter break for K-12 students in the province would be extended to Jan. 10 and January diploma exams are cancelled.