COVID rate dropping as Alberta likely moves past peak of BA.2 wave, but province adds 69 deaths

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“It looks like we’re passing the peak of BA.2 circulation with less impact than we saw with BA.1 thanks to vaccine and prior exposure,” Copping said at the regular mid-week update.

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“But hospital admissions are still rising and they’ll continue to rise for a few more weeks, even assuming virus levels continue to decline.”

Another 47 Albertans are in hospital with COVID-19 this week, and one fewer person is in ICU.

Copping added this is similar to the situation in other provinces.

He also said the overall hospital system remains under significant stress.

Copping announced two changes to the prescribing of Paxlovid, the antiviral pill for treating COVID-19.

Starting today, Albertans who meet the clinical criteria for COVID can be assessed for treatment and obtain a prescription from a physician, nurse practitioner or pharmacist.

The testing requirements are also more flexible effective today, adding a positive rapid test to the already acceptable positive PCR test.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw also addressed flu season in Alberta, saying influenza levels are higher than at any time in the past two years. She said more than 700 cases have been identified this season, the vast majority in the past two months.

She said actions to lower the risk of influenza are the same as for COVID: washing hands regularly, staying home if sick and considering masking in public places.

WATCH TODAY’S UPDATE

PROVINCIAL NUMBERS

*Numbers are up to date as of previous day’s end. Numbers in parentheses represent a seven-day change unless otherwise noted

Hospitalizations: 1,267 (+47)

ICU admissions: 46 (-1)

Deaths: 4,321 (+69) >> last week: +62

MORE HEALTHCARE CAPACITY DATA

—

*With the province limiting testing since the fifth wave, these confirmed cases do not accurately reflect the number of cases in the community.

Total cases: 570,806

April 26: 1086
April 27: 944
April 28: 927
April 29: 761
April 30: 731
May 1: 605
May 2: 681

>> Total new cases over last 7 days: 5,754

>> Last week 6,569, two weeks ago: 6,125, three weeks ago: 6,181, four weeks ago: 5,549

Seven-day positivity rate: 22.98% (-2.77)

RED DEER

*Numbers are up to date as of previous day’s end. Numbers in parentheses represent a seven-day change unless otherwise noted

Total cases: 14,862 (+199)

7-day new case rate: 187.0 (+15.9)

Deaths: 108 (+4)

CENTRAL ZONE

*Numbers are up to date as of previous day’s end. Numbers in parentheses represent a seven-day change unless otherwise noted

Hospitalizations: 177 (+5)

ICU admissions: 4 (+1)

Deaths: 554 (+11)

Death details: still to come…

For more data from central Alberta communities, click here.

VACCINATION DATA

WASTEWATER DATA

INFLUENZA

Cases: 707 (+247)
>> Type A: 705 (+247)
>> Type B: 2 (–)

Hospitalized: 68 (+27)
ICU: 3 (+1)
Deaths: 0 (–)

Doses of vaccine administered: 1,206,424 (+457) >> 27.3% coverage

(Story by Chris Brown/CHAT News Today, stats compiled by Josh Hall/rdnewsNOW)