Alberta reports 1,246 new COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths as hospitalizations hit record high
Alberta reported 1,246 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday as the fourth wave continues to pressure the province’s health care system with a record high number of hospitalizations.
There are now 1,100 patients in hospital, the highest count of the pandemic. Included in that number are 263 patients in intensive care units, the second highest number to date.
With 197 surge beds in place, 86 per cent of Alberta’s 370 ICU beds are in use.
“The strain being placed on our health-care system remains very serious. Our hospitals are under critical pressure and we’re doing all we can to increase capacity, particularly in intensive care,” Premier Jason Kenney told reporters on Tuesday.
Alberta reported 18 more COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, which increased the province’s death toll to 2,663.
About three in four people who have died of COVID-19 in the last 120 days were not fully vaccinated, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said.
“Almost four out of five of all those in hospital for COVID-19 and 91 per cent of those ICU in the last 120 days were also not fully vaccinated,” Hinshaw added.
“These numbers speak for themselves: Vaccines are critically important.”
Of eligible Albertans, 83.2 per cent have one vaccine dose and 74 per cent have two doses.
The premier announced Alberta is working on a new advertisement campaign to educate unvaccinated Albertans with facts to “debunk common myths.”
“The bottom line is this: We are still in the middle of a crisis. The fourth wave has challenged us more than any wave before.”
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.