By Canadian Press

Next phase could start as early as march 1

Health minister says it’s safe to move forward with Alberta’s reopening plan

Feb 19, 2021 | 9:21 AM

EDMONTON – Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro says he believes it’s safe to move forward with the province’s staged reopening plan as COVID-19 case numbers trend downward.

Alberta reported 415 new infections in its latest update, a much-improved situation from late last year when there were some days with more than 1,800 new cases.

But Shandro acknowledged on Thursday that new, more contagious COVID-19 variants are worrisome and there is now a team of 50 experienced investigators dedicated to tracking them.

The next phase of Alberta’s staged reopening plan could start as soon as March 1 and includes the potential easing of restrictions on banquet halls, indoor fitness and retail.

The threshold to get there is having fewer than 450 COVID-19 patients in hospital and there are currently 362.

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Shandro says Alberta now has 2,300 contact tracers who are able to reach positive cases within a day and that in January alone they closed more than 21,000 files.

(The Canadian Press)