Alberta COVID-19 hospitalizations nearing low of 700, 21 deaths added
Alberta now has 702 people in hospital with COVID-19, 25 of whom are receiving care in ICUs.
That is a decrease of 76 hospitalizations and four ICU admissions when compared to last week's update.
The last time that Alberta's hospitalization numbers were this low was at the end of July when 704 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 778 to 813 and ICU admissions from 29 to 30.
- Alberta COVID-19 hospitalization numbers declining; 18 deaths added, 23 removed from total
- Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning to get $253K to chair Alberta COVID-19 panel
- Smith says she won't pursue COVID-19 pardon legislation on advice from justice officials
According to the province, 293 of the 813 people in hospital with COVID-19 last week were hospitalized for reasons directly related to the virus, while the other 520 people were admitted for other reasons, but incidentally tested positive. In the ICU, 33 per cent of patients were being treated because of COVID-19.
Alberta’s total number of COVID-19-related deaths went up by 21. Of the new deaths reported, 14 were retroactively added to past weeks, while seven belong to this week.
Since its last data update, Alberta Health has counted 596 new COVID-19 cases in 5,078 PCR tests. That is a decrease of 52 cases and 322 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 12.12 per cent.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
On Jan. 30, 2021, 528 Albertans were hospitalized with COVID-19. In 2022, 1,581 patients were in hospital with the virus while there were 702 people this year.
In 2021, there were 101 people with COVID-19 in intensive care on Jan. 30, compared to last year's 103 and this year's 25.
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 2,101 deaths.
There have been 66 COVID-19-related deaths in the first 30 days of this year, bringing the province's pandemic death toll to 5,486.
The next data update is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.