COVID-19 in Alberta: 26 new deaths, hospitalizations remain steady
Alberta reported 2,086 new infections of COVID-19 on Friday as the number of patients in hospital with the disease remained steady.
Those cases were identified after the province completed more than 6,200 tests. There are now 32,711 known active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. However, testing capacity and eligibility limits mean the actual number of new and active COVID-19 infections is likely much higher.
The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 remained at 1,584, what was reported on Thursday. That represents a slight decline from Wednesday's revised patient count of 1,648 — a new pandemic high.
The 1,584 includes 118 patients in intensive care units — an increase of six since Thursday. Alberta's ICU count has held steady between 104 and 114 patients since Jan. 17.
The Edmonton zone leads the province for patients in ICU with 49, while the Calgary zone has 45.
Twenty-six more deaths from the disease were reported Friday, raising the pandemic total to 3,634. The deaths are spread across several days and were in individuals ranging in age from in their 40s to more than 90 years old, with the majority being seniors.
The Calgary zone has more than 13,100 active cases, while the Edmonton zone has 9,961. The Central and North zones have 3,602 and 2,892 active infections of COVID-19, respectively, while the South zone reported 2,751.
OTHER COVID-19 RELATED NEWS
According to Hinshaw, Alberta Health data indicates the province has likely passed the peak of COVID-19 cases from the fifth wave, but she doesn't believe it's time to switch to an endemic approach.
Edmonton's mayor is among the voices pleading with the Alberta government not to relax public health measures "too soon and too fast."
RCMP escorted some truckers into the United States at Alberta's Coutts border crossing on Thursday when a second blockade on a highway leading to the main crossing opened to traffic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Nearly half of Canadians have no plans to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
A new survey found that 48 per cent of Canadians say they won’t be taking any specific action to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
'Stories of resilience and survival': Indigenous-led tourism is one way to support communities in Canada
A growing number of businesses popping up across Canada are offering unique experiences that invite tourists to dive into the history, language and culture of Indigenous communities.
What do Indigenous Peoples across Canada really need and want?
The federal Liberal government has made a lot of promises to Indigenous Peoples. But do those promises line up with what communities on the ground really want and need, or reflect their diversity?
Canada’s greenhouse gas emission up 2.3 per cent from last year due to oil and gas production, cold winter: report
New data from the Canadian Climate Institute shows that emissions from the oil and gas industry and buildings continued to climb in the previous year, undercutting Canada's overall emissions reduction progress.
Here's how a U.S. government shutdown could impact Canadians
Economists warn both Canada's economy and individual Canadians could suffer from impacts of a U.S. government shutdown, and that those impacts will deepen and broaden the longer it lasts.
Toronto family shocked they have to rip out $20K synthetic grass putting green
A Scarborough family said they were shocked to get a notice from the City of Toronto that the artificial grass in their backyard, including a putting green, will have to be ripped out.
Walking just this much more per day can lower your blood pressure: study
A new study finds walking an additional 3,000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.
India's foreign minister says Canada has 'climate of violence' for Indian diplomats
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Friday there was a 'climate of violence' and an 'atmosphere of intimidation' against Indian diplomats in Canada, where the presence of Sikh separatist groups has frustrated New Delhi.
Defence minister insists $1B spending reduction is not a budget cut
The country's top soldier and outside experts say that finding almost $1 billion in savings in the Department of National Defence budget will affect the Armed Forces' capabilities, although the defence minister insisted Friday the budget is not being cut.