COVID-19 in Alberta: Hospitalizations remain above 1,000 while ICU admissions rise; 39 new deaths
Alberta now has 1,077 Albertans in hospital with the coronavirus, 46 of whom are receiving care in ICUs.
That is a decrease of 30 hospitalizations based off of last week’s update. The number of ICU admissions has increased by six.
Alberta Health data is routinely updated for accuracy and to account for reporting delays, meaning last week’s hospital numbers were retroactively increased from 1,107 to 1,186.
According to the province, 478 of the 1,186 people in hospital with COVID-19 last week were hospitalized for reasons directly related to the disease, while the other 708 people were admitted for other reasons, but incidentally tested positive. In the ICU, 50 per cent of patients were being treated because of the virus.
Alberta’s total number of COVID-19 related deaths went up by 39. Of the new deaths reported, 25 were retroactively added to past weeks, while 14 belong to this week.
The provincial death toll now sits at 5,216.
Alberta Health counted 1,314 new COVID-19 cases in 9,935 PCR tests. That is a decrease of 42 cases and 366 tests compared to last week.
The number of new cases is likely much higher because of testing limitations and because the province doesn't count positive results from rapid tests.
The average positivity rate is now at 13.75 per cent.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
On Nov. 28, 2021, there were 442 Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19. This year, there are more than double that amount, with 1,077 patients in hospital with the virus.
The wave that started in August 2021 and steadily grew throughout the fall reached its peak on Sep. 27 with 1,130 people in hospital and began to descend shortly thereafter. Alberta reached the same amount of hospitalizations by Oct. 23 of this year, hitting a peak of 1,201 on Nov. 14.
Hospitalizations have remained above 1,000 since Sept. 25.
In 2021, there were 71 people in intensive care on Nov. 28, compared to this year's 46 and 94 in 2020.
Alberta’s fall wave in 2021 saw the highest number of patients requiring intensive care in the entirety of the pandemic, with 257 people in the ICU with COVID-19 at its peak on Sept. 28.
The next data update is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.