By: Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Rapidly rising case numbers of COVID-19 have healthcare officials in the western Canadian province of Alberta concerned.

With 57,332 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta as of Monday, the number of people being treated in hospital for the infection has grown by has grown by more than 50% in just two weeks.

As of Monday, there are 635 people being treated in Alberta hospitals for Covid.

The increase is being driven by the omicron variant.

Projections by Alberta Health Services indicate that number could rise to more than 1,500 in the next couple of weeks.

If that happens, healthcare for non-Covid patients will be at risk.

As well as an increase in cases, the system is running short of health because of staff who have been infected.

The situation is not unique to Alberta — other provinces are experiencing similar or worse problems.

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos last week described the country’s healthcare system as fragile.

At that time he said in his opinion, the country will have to consider mandatory vaccination to bring the pandemic under control.

Alberta restricts PCR tests

COVID-19 is so prevalent that the province’s chief medical officer of health has put more restrictions on who can get a PCR test.

Those eligible for the test include people living in continuing care and healthcare workers with symptoms or who are part of an outbreak.

“With a recent increase in Omicron cases, demand for PCR testing has pushed our testing system beyond its capacity,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Monday.

And she says if you have symptoms, it’s likely you are infected.

“The Omicron variant is so prevalent in our communities right now that if you have COVID-19 symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, or loss of sense of smell or taste, you should assume you have COVID-19 and are legally required to isolate,” she said.

Hinshaw says for people with a mild illness, it can be managed at home.
(Eagle News Service)