By Thomas I. Likness
(Eagle News Service)
(Eagle News) — With active cases of COVID-19 surpassing 34,000, the Alberta government is bracing for the impact of the omicron wave.
The bad news from Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw is that there are now 34,276 active cases in the province — the highest number since the pandemic began almost two years ago.
And she had a grim forecast of what things might look like in just a few days.
“We need look no further than Ontario’s current experience to understand why, with case counts far exceeding anything we have ever seen before, the sheer volume of cases means that daily hospitalizations are beginning to escalate,” Hinshaw told a news conference Thursday.
Hospitalizations in Alberta have increased by 65 to 436 since last week with 61 of those patients in intensive care.
She also notes there have been 12 Covid deaths since December 28th, including a child between the ages of five and nine. She said the child had a complex medical condition.
No further restrictions planned
Premier Jason Kenney says for now, there won’t be further restrictions but he will be meeting with the cabinet Covid committee tomorrow to discuss the situation.
“We’re monitoring the situation very closely and if we determine that more action is necessary, we will take it,” Kenney told reporters.
But at the same time, he makes it known that tighter rules are not his first choice.
“As in the past, we regard restrictions as a last and limited resort given the damaging effect the restrictions have on the broader health of society,” Kenney said.
The premier called on Albertans to limit their social interactions but says that’s something that cannot be legislated.
“Ultimately, in a big, complicated, free society, four-and-a-half million people, it’s going to be up to the voluntary efforts of the overall population to cut social contact,” he said.
He’s suggesting people use videoconferencing instead of in-person meetings and to work from home when possible.
“We need to break transmission chains, and that means reducing opportunities for the virus to spread,” said Kenney.
(Eagle News Service)