COVID-19 in Alberta: Omicron count grows by 4 as province adds 287 cases, 1 death on Friday
Alberta identified 287 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday as well as four more cases of the Omicron variant, according to the province’s latest data update.
Three of the new Omicron cases were identified in the Calgary Zone and one was counted in the Edmonton Zone, bringing the province’s total to 23.
Variant cases are identified through a second screening done after an initial positive test for COVID-19. The time needed for that further screening means the new Omicron cases are likely from several days ago.
Friday evening, Alberta Health Services announced that contact tracers would begin notifying close contacts of people that have tested positive, or are suspected to be positive, of the Omicron variant.
Close contacts of COVID-19-positive travellers that have recently returned from outside of Canada or the U.S., will also be notified, in case the variant is involved.
AHS will ask the people that they contact to monitor for symptoms, to isolate, and to get tested.
- Infographics: COVID-19 in Alberta by the numbers
- COVID-19 in your community: Edmonton’s coronavirus status in numbers
The death of a woman in her 70s from the North Zone was the lone death reported on Friday, bringing the total number of Albertans to have died due to COVID-19 up to 3,272.
There are now 367 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, including 71 in intensive care units.
Among all Albertans, 77.7 per cent have now had at least one dose of vaccine, and 72 per cent of the entire population has had a second dose.
More than 79,000 doses of vaccine have now been administered to children between the ages of five and 11.
Unvaccinated Albertans remain significantly more likely to suffer a severe outcome after contracting COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Alberta’s next data update is scheduled for Monday afternoon and will include data from Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Florida man charged with human smuggling after four bodies found near Canada-U.S. border
A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby, were found in Manitoba near the Canada-U.S. border.
Russian ambassador to Canada says 'nobody cares' about threat of Western sanctions
Russia's Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov says the threat of Western sanctions in response to a military buildup along the Ukraine border carries no weight.
Canada has sanctioned 400 people and entities so far since Russian Ukraine incursion
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday that Russia would face severe sanctions if it makes further moves against Ukraine. Canada has already imposed a lengthy series of sanctions related to Russia dating back to 2014 when its military forcibly annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
Ontario announces three-step plan to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions
Ontario announced it will allow indoor dining and gyms to reopen and will increase gathering limits on Jan. 31 as part of a three-step plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions in the province.
N.B. doctor accused of breaking COVID-19 rules sues province, RCMP and Facebook
A doctor who says he faced a barrage of hate and racism after being accused of breaking COVID-19 rules in New Brunswick in 2020 is suing the provincial government, the RCMP and Facebook's owner, Meta.
Paul Workman: A girls' school in Afghanistan that is now silent under the Taliban
CTV National News London Bureau Chief Paul Workman reports for CTVNews.ca on a girls' school in Afghanistan that has grown silent with the rise of the Taliban.
'Be a savvy consumer': Expert tips for Canadians to help tame inflation
As inflation increases to levels not seen in decades, experts are advising Canadians to take advantage of coupons, points programs and purchase affordable alternatives where possible to help mitigate the financial strain caused by rising prices.
Pandemic stress saw increase in potentially addictive behaviours: study
A recent study with a Canadian connection has found that people gamed, overate and shopped more often — among other potentially addictive behaviours — as a result of the initial stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Czech folk singer dies after intentionally catching COVID-19
The son of a Czech folk singer says his mother, who was opposed to getting vaccinated against COVID-19, has died after she deliberately contracted the disease.
Calgary
-
When will Alberta's COVID-19 restrictions end? 'Hopefully soon,' says Kenney
"We're being asked, 'when do all of these restrictions and measures come to an end,'" Kenney said Thursday.
-
Alberta builds COVID-19 hospital capacity; premier says early indication of Omicron peak
Alberta will create new pandemic response units in Edmonton and Calgary as it augments intensive and non-intensive care beds for an expected hospitalization peak later this month.
-
'Not ready': Alberta police chiefs say too soon to support decriminalizing drugs
The association that represents Alberta police chiefs says it's too soon to decriminalize illicit drugs.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon Lighthouse director on leave after fire department reports safety issues
The director at the Lighthouse is on leave, less than a week after the Saskatoon Fire Department revealed it has found dozens of hazards at the shelter.
-
'We have been abandoned': Sask. doctor slams Moe's Quebec comparison
Infectious disease physician Dr. Alexander Wong says Premier Scott Moe's Quebec comparison isn't accurate.
-
Saskatoon police lay 2nd-degree murder charge in 19-year-old woman's death
A 20-year-old man is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection to a woman’s death.
Regina
-
'Workers are tired': Sask. public sector unions call on government to impose further COVID-19 restrictions
Unions representing more than 113,000 Saskatchewan workers are pleading with the provincial government to immediately mandate public health measures based on recommendations from the province’s top doctor.
-
Sask. reports 1,158 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations rise above 200
Saskatchewan reported 1,158 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, as hospitalizations related to the virus rose above 200 for the first time since November.
-
'One-of-a-kind skating experience': Here's how a Regina lake was transformed into a regulation hockey rink
For the first time ever, Saskatchewan’s most popular lake is home to a regulation-size hockey rink.
Atlantic
-
N.B. doctor accused of breaking COVID-19 rules sues province, RCMP and Facebook
A doctor who says he faced a barrage of hate and racism after being accused of breaking COVID-19 rules in New Brunswick in 2020 is suing the provincial government, the RCMP and Facebook's owner, Meta.
-
N.S. reports three new deaths related to COVID-19 Thursday, 269 in hospital
Nova Scotia health officials reported three new deaths related to COVID-19 on Thursday.
-
Halifax research project finds combined throat and nose swab more effective at detecting COVID-19 Omicron variant
A research project out of Halifax could change how we conduct COVID-19 rapid testing.
Toronto
-
Ontario announces three-step plan to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions
Ontario announced it will allow indoor dining and gyms to reopen and will increase gathering limits on Jan. 31 as part of a three-step plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions in the province.
-
Three children dead after Brampton, Ont. house fire
Three children have died following a house fire in Brampton, Ont., the city’s mayor confirmed.
-
Has Omicron peaked in Toronto? City's top doctor says there is reason for 'cautious optimism'
Several public health indicators are now suggesting that the spread of the Omicron variant in Toronto may have already peaked but the city’s top doctor is warning that the strain on the health-care system is likely to continue into February.
Montreal
-
Quebec hospitalizations finally levelling, but it's too soon to ease health rules, says Legault
Quebec is at a tipping point, and it looks like it's tipping in the right direction, Premier François Legault said Thursday, but it's too soon to ease public health rules, unlike Ontario's recent announcement.
-
Think you hate the cold? Meet the Montreal girl who's allergic to it
Eryn Margolese’s routine before going outside this time of year is familiar to a lot of Montrealers: two pairs of pants and full bundling up. Nobody likes to be cold. Bu it’s not quite the same for the 15-year-old -- she's allergic.
-
Montreal dog adopted by loving couple after being violently beaten by previous owner
After a harrowing life of being beaten almost to death by her previous owner, Eva -- formerly known as Angie -- was adopted by a loving Montreal couple.
Ottawa
-
‘50 per cent is better than 0 per cent’: Ottawa businesses relieved to see COVID-19 restrictions lifted
Ontario will allow indoor dining and gyms to reopen with 50 per cent capacity on Jan. 31, as part of a three-step plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
-
Supply chain issues leaving some grocery shelves in Ottawa and eastern Ontario empty
If you have recently been to a grocery store in the Ottawa area, you might have noticed two things: Prices are going up and supply is going down, leaving some shelves bare.
-
'We're going to miss him so much': Children of Rick Bastien remember dad killed in Eastway Tank blast
Rick Bastien was one of six people killed in an explosion at Eastway Tank on Jan. 13. The cause is under investigation.
Kitchener
-
Only one bed available at Grand River Hospital amid 'unprecedented level of pressure'
Officials at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener are asking recently retired staff to return to work as they continue to deal with staffing and capacity shortages during the Omicron surge.
-
Two students, driver injured in crash involving school bus
Two children and a school bus driver were taken to hospital Thursday after a serious crash west of Wellesley.
-
27 people with COVID-19 in ICU in Waterloo Region
The Region of Waterloo is reporting 148 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in the region, according to its Thursday dashboard update.
Northern Ontario
-
Community rallies to support five children in northern Ontario who lost both parents
It’s a heart-wrenching story of loss. Five children from Sudbury are living with their aunt in Webbwood after the death of their mother due to complications from pneumonia in early January.
-
Sudbury city council fires back at allegations related to Memorial Park encampment
A bitter dispute has broken out at Greater Sudbury city council over allegations of criminality and other extreme events at the homeless encampment at Memorial Park.
-
Air Canada reducing number of flights between North Bay and Toronto
Air Canada is changing the way flights will be arriving and departing out of North Bay’s Jack Garland Airport.
Winnipeg
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Florida man charged with human smuggling after four bodies found near Canada-U.S. border
A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby, were found in Manitoba near the Canada-U.S. border.
-
'It puts the grocery stores at risk': Fresh produce may become scarce due to supply chain issues
Manitobans may see fewer options for fresh fruits and vegetables – and possibly higher price tags for them – in the weeks ahead.
-
'I can't do anything': Winnipeg man pleads for cataract surgery
A Manitoba man is sharing the challenges he is facing with cataracts, and says he is desperate to have the surgery, noting he has only 10 per cent of his vision left.
Vancouver
-
No minimum isolation time for those not tested for COVID-19 under new B.C. guidelines
B.C. health officials have quietly changed their guidelines for people experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, removing the minimum self-isolation time for adults who never tested positive.
-
'An amazing reversal': Fraser Health flip flops on decision to temporarily close Peace Arch Hospital's maternity ward
After a week of uncertainty, there was some good news for expectant moms in the White Rock/South Surrey area Thursday.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | 15 more deaths in latest B.C. COVID-19 update
B.C. has recorded 15 more COVID-19-related deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the seven-day rolling average for deaths in the province to its highest level since mid-October.
Vancouver Island
-
Sooke, B.C. seeks arts committee volunteers for new projects
The District of Sooke is looking for a pair of volunteers to offer guidance to council on artistic projects and events in the community.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Island Health reports 4 more COVID-19 deaths, 354 new cases
B.C. health officials say four more deaths related to COVID-19 were confirmed in Island Health over the past 24 hours.
-
B.C. musician topping global charts with her new single
Vancouver Island musician, Lauren Spencer-Smith, has released a new single called 'Fingers Crossed,' and it's been soaring up the music charts ever since it dropped at the beginning of the new year.