By Josh Hall (rdnewsNOW) and Chris Brown (CHAT News Today)

thursday update

Health Minister talks availability of COVID test kits

Feb 10, 2022 | 4:18 PM

Today’s COVID-19 data is below…

Supply chain issues are easing and Alberta is expanding and changing how it is distributing COVID-19 rapid test kits.

Health Minister Jason Copping says 633 pharmacies have signed up to the distribution program since last week, bringing the number of pharmacies participating to 1,453.

“We’re shipping another two million tests to the pharmacies this week and all pharmacies should have the stock by next week. Participating pharmacies will be added to the Blue Cross website as they receive their tests,” he says.

Copping says more than 2.5 million rapid tests sent to pharmacies and AHS locations in the province last week.

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With the expansion of the pharmacy program, Alberta Health Services sites such as the Community Health Clinic on Dunmore Road will no longer distribute masks once their current supply is gone.

Every Albertan is allowed one free test kit every 14 days as supply allows.

Copping says the number of cases is down two-thirds since the peak of the fifth wave last month and calls for everyone to respect each other’s boundaries as everyone has different risk tolerances.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced that as of Feb. 16, fully immunized workers at continuing care centres will be allowed to work at multiple facilities once again.

On booster shots, Hinshaw said bookings will open Feb. 15 for those aged 12-17 years with underlying conditions such as diabetes and asthma as well as those in the First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities in the same age group. Immunocompromised people in the same age group will be eligible for a fourth shot.

NDP Health Critic David Shepherd issued the following statement in response to today’s COVID-19 update:

“Today’s COVID-19 update revealed the UCP’s decision to accelerate the removal of public health measures was not based on advice from health officials. Health Minister Jason Copping refused to answer questions about the recommendations they received, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw refused to answer specific questions around the science driving the province’s decision to end masking in schools.

“It’s clear the UCP are trying to paint a much rosier picture of Omicron’s impacts on our healthcare system than the reality. Healthcare workers have been very clear that this has been the worst wave for them yet, and hospitals are still scrambling with reduced staffing and trying to catch up on surgery backlogs.

“Furthermore, the abrupt removal of the vaccine verification smartphone app flies completely counter to the Premier’s own claims this week that the government will still support businesses who choose to use the Restrictions Exemption program.

“After Jason Kenney made threats against municipalities to legally remove their ability to introduce their own public health measures, a move like this cements the UCP’s refusal to listen to feedback and consult with municipalities on their concerns about COVID-19.

“Jurisdictions have been asking for the data that was used by the UCP in deciding to move so quickly to end public healthcare measures so they can make informed decisions, and Jason Kenney’s refusal to treat our municipalities as partners is very concerning.”

PROVINCIAL NUMBERS

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

Hospitalizations: 1,586 (-29)

ICU admissions: 126 (-9)

Deaths: 3,718 (+22)

MORE HEALTHCARE CAPACITY DATA

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Total cases: 512,765 (+1,363)

Total recoveries: 483,708 (-2,898)

Active caseload: 25,339 (-1,557)

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

Tests completed: 4,986

Seven-day positivity rate: 32.26% (-.0.68)

RED DEER

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

Total cases: 12,921 (+41)

Total recoveries: 12,102 (+76)

Active caseload: 730 (-36)

Deaths: 89 (+1)

CENTRAL ZONE

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

Hospitalizations: 158 (-11)

ICU admissions: 6 (–)

Active caseload: 2,979 (-115)

Deaths: 462 (+5)

Death details:

· Date of death. 1/31/2022. A female in her 90s in Central zone. The case involved pre-existing conditions.

· Date of death. 2/3/2022. A female in her 80s in Central zone. The case involved pre-existing conditions.

· Date of death. 2/3/2022. A female in her 80s in Central zone. The case involved pre-existing conditions.

· Date of death. 2/3/2022. A female in her 80s in Central zone. The case involved pre-existing conditions.

· Date of death. 2/9/2022. A female in her 90s in Central zone. The case involved pre-existing conditions.

Elsewhere in the zone

Red Deer County: 222 (-3)

Sylvan Lake: 97 (-2)

Lacombe County: 106 (-4)

City of Lacombe: 99 (-4)

Ponoka County: 395 (-32)

Brazeau County: 102 (-14)

Clearwater County: 88 (-4)

Mountain View County: 110 (-1)

Olds: 75 (+2)

Kneehill County: 106 (+3)

County of Stettler: 81 (-4)

For more data from central Alberta communities, click here.

rdnewsNOW will provide updated vaccination data each Tuesday going forward