Alberta COVID-19 hospitalizations down, as ICU admissions see two-week incline
Alberta now has 465 people in hospital with COVID-19, 25 of whom are receiving care in ICUs.
That is a decrease of 21 hospitalizations and an increase of 14 ICU admissions since the last Alberta Health update on Mar. 15.
The province was scheduled to release its weekly data on Mar. 22 but did not, citing technical issues, instead opting to release both last week's and this week's data on Wednesday.
The last time Alberta's hospitalization numbers were this low was Jan. 2, 2022.
In terms of ICU admissions, this is the highest number seen in Alberta since Feb. 1.
According to the province, 211 of the 490 people in hospital with COVID-19 on Mar. 20 were hospitalized for reasons directly related to the virus, while the other 279 people were admitted for other reasons, but incidentally tested positive. In the ICU, 60 per cent of patients were being treated because of COVID-19.
Alberta’s total number of COVID-19-related deaths went up by 24 since they were last reported. Four of those deaths belong to this week.
Alberta Health has counted 397 new COVID-19 cases after 4,885 PCR tests this week. The number of lab tests has gone up for two weeks, while the number of new cases went up last week, and went down by a single case this week in comparison.
The number of new cases is likely higher than reported because of testing limitations and because the province doesn't count positive results from rapid tests.
The average positivity rate is now at 8.57 per cent.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
On Mar. 27, 2020, 35 Albertans were hospitalized with COVID-19. On the same date in 2021, 276 patients were in hospital with the virus, compared to 953 last year, and 465 this year.
In 2020, there were 13 people with COVID-19 in intensive care on Mar. 27, compared to 62 in 2021, 45 last year, and 25 this year.
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 had the highest number of fatalities, with 2,111.
There have been 213 COVID-19-related deaths so far this year, bringing the province's pandemic death toll to 5,643.
The next data update is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
DEVELOPING Key witness lied on stand, Trump lawyer tells jurors during closing arguments in hush money trial
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Quebec homeowner recalls moment tornado hit his farmhouse west of Montreal
A homeowner in western Quebec is recounting a narrow escape after his home was hit by a tornado Monday afternoon.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.