'Current wave is receding': Copping says Alta. has passed peak of sixth wave of COVID-19
The peak of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed in Alberta, Health Minister Jason Copping announced on Wednesday.
“The peak of BA.2 cases has passed, and the current wave is receding,” he said during the government’s weekly COVID-19 press conference.
Copping said between May 17 and May 23, the average COVID-19 positivity rate, as determined by PCR testing, was about 17.5 per cent, down from 20 per cent the week before.
Fifty five deaths were recorded last week, an average of eight deaths per day.
The minister made another push for Albertans to get vaccinated and to get their boosters.
“There’s still lots of COVID virus around, especially in Edmonton and Calgary, and we can’t expect it to go to zero,” he said. “It remains a real risk, especially to those who are unvaccinated or undervaccinated.”
Copping also announced that starting Thursday, Evushield will be available to Albertans who have had organ or cell transplants, blood cancer, or are taking certain immunocompromising drugs.
Evushield is not a treatment for COVID-19, but can help protect against the disease in those who are not infected.
Because the drug will only be available to a small portion of the population, it will only be prescribed through specialists who treat the requisite conditions.
While the BA.2 wave seems to be receding, the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are starting to spread in other regions.
The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said on Wednesday that Alberta has confirmed its first case of the BA.4 subvariant.
“Evidence suggests that BA.4 and BA.5 are more transmissible than earlier variants, but do not cause increased risk of severe illness,” she said, adding Albertans should expect to see more variants and subvariants of COVID-19 in the future.
Copping also announced Wednesday that while the province would continue to provide COVID-19 data on a weekly basis, in-person updates will be reduced to once every two weeks.
The next update is expected on June 6.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.