Alberta COVID-19 hospitalizations below 600, 20 deaths added
Alberta now has 575 people in hospital with COVID-19, 16 of whom are receiving care in ICUs.
That is a decrease of 47 hospitalizations and three ICU admissions compared to last week's update.
The last time Alberta's hospitalization numbers were this low was in mid-July when 560 people were admitted.
Alberta Health data is routinely updated for accuracy and to account for reporting delays. Last week’s hospital numbers were retroactively increased from 622 to 643.
-
Alberta COVID-19 hospitalizations lowest since July; 26 deaths added
-
Here's who will help Preston Manning with Alberta's COVID-19 response review
-
Alberta NDP says it would scrap COVID-19 review panel if party wins election
According to the province, 252 of the 643 people in hospital with COVID-19 last week were hospitalized for reasons directly related to the virus, while the other 391 people were admitted for other reasons, but incidentally tested positive. In the ICU, 37 per cent of patients were being treated because of COVID-19.
Alberta’s total number of COVID-19-related deaths went up by 20. Of the new deaths reported, 15 were retroactively added to past weeks, while five belong to this week.
Since its last data update, Alberta Health has counted 427 new COVID-19 cases in 5,110 PCR tests. That is a decrease of eight cases and 70 tests compared to last week's update.
The number of new cases is likely higher because of testing limitations and because the province doesn't count positive results from rapid tests.
The average positivity rate is now at 8.54 per cent.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
On Feb. 20, 2021, 281 Albertans were hospitalized with COVID-19. In 2022, 1,414 patients were in hospital with the virus, while there were 575 people this year.
In 2021, there were 54 people with COVID-19 in intensive care on Feb. 20, compared to last year's 96 and this year's 16.
It is not known how many people in 2020 and 2021 were hospitalized and admitted to the ICU because of the virus versus people who were admitted for other reasons and incidentally tested positive, as that statistic was only made available by Alberta Health as of February 2022.
Alberta had 1,213 COVID-19-related deaths in 2020 and 2,106 in 2021. Last year, there were 2,104 deaths.
There have been 133 COVID-19-related deaths so far this year, bringing the province's pandemic death toll to 5,556.
The next data update is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.