Positivity rates high, hospitalizations steady

“The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is a complete game changer. School communities expect that the mediocre measures that failed in Alberta’s fourth wave will be strengthened for the return to school next week,” said Schilling. “Omicron is highly contagious and we are likely to see a substantial number of people that will become sick or need to isolate. The minister needs to pay attention.”

“The Association has consistently advocated publicly and behind the scenes for the minister to enact measures and set mandatory standards across the province for masking, improved ventilation, ongoing testing, consistent reporting to parents and public and, where possible, cohorting to limit student contact,” added Schilling.

“We are also asking for proactive preparation to manage the consequences of outbreaks by increasing the availability of substitute teachers, cancelling the January provincial examinations and, if necessary, preparing for a swift but smooth transition to remote learning. It is not too late to listen and to act.”

Premier Jason Kenney suggested Tuesday that although it’s the government’s strong preference to maintain in-class learning, a decision will be made later this week on how best to proceed when classes resume next week.

“Today, we have learned of some staggering COVID-19 numbers and little else,” reacted NDP Deputy Leader Sarah Hoffman.

“The premier failed to share projections or modelling of where we’re going and how many of us will get sick with COVID along the way. By failing to be open with modelling, we can’t estimate how many Albertans will end up in hospital or in intensive-care. In Quebec, we know, for example, that hospitalizations have increased 38 per cent over the past week.

“Let’s be clear that our hospitals are far from recovered from the Premier’s massive failures in the fourth wave. There are tens of thousands of Albertans still waiting on delayed surgeries,” continued Hoffman. “There are tens of thousands of Albertans without access to a family physician and we continue to see emergency room closures in various rural communities and ambulance shortages that are leading to waits of up to an hour for emergency care.”

“Alberta’s NDP doesn’t have all the answers, but we know more must be done, to test and trace for COVID, to limit the spread of the Omicron variant, to support schools, small businesses and more.”

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Positivity rates high, hospitalizations steady

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