Hospitals 'under strain' as Alberta reports another record high in admissions
Alberta reported 1,377 people are in hospital with COVID-19 on Tuesday, an increase of 30 per cent over the past week, according to the health minister.
There are currently 51,157 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, but because of PCR test eligibility restrictions, the real number is higher, added Jason Copping. There were 2,722 new cases reported Tuesday, after 6,718 tests.
The province is testing wastewater to help track COVID-19 infections and that data is showing the number of infections appear to be dropping in some places, like Edmonton.
The average positivity rate is sitting at 43 per cent and has not risen since Jan. 6, added Copping.
“Taken together, these are positive signs that cases and new transmissions may be slowing, however, even though there are early indications that numbers are coming down, our hospitalizations are continuing to increase,” said Copping.
A drop in hospital admissions is expected to occur in the next few weeks, a trend which happened in previous waves, according to Copping.
“It means, I hope, we’re at a turning point in the current wave and we can start to see the end of it,” added Copping. “But make no mistake, the coming weeks are going to be the toughest yet.
“Our hospitals are under strain, especially in the larger urban centres. Staff are tired, not just from the current wave of cases, but from five waves over two years.”
On average over the last seven days, 58.5 per cent of new, non-ICU admissions and 66.1 per cent of new ICU admissions were directly due to COVID-19. Currently in Alberta, 111 people are in the ICU with COVID-19.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, also reported that 13 people have died due to COVID-19 over the past 24 hours.
PAXLOVID SHIPMENT TO ARRIVE SOON
The health minister also announced that the first shipment of PAXLOVID, a drug recently approved by Health Canada to treat symptoms of COVID-19, is set to arrive on Jan. 31.
“Initially, 3,200 courses of treatment will be available as another option in addition to the antibody therapy we’ve been using for the past several months to help keep eligible individuals with mild to moderate COVID from experiencing severe illness and ending up in hospital,” said Copping.
The treatment needs to begin within five days of COVID-19 symptoms appearing to be effective, added Copping. Due to “some side effects” and supplies, the drug will only be available by prescription to specific groups of people who contract COVID-19.
“As we learn more, we will be able to evaluate the data and update eligibility criteria as appropriate,” said Hinshaw. “In the future, we will also be transitioning to a broader community prescription approach, but this will take time, for now do not call pharmacies or physicians to get a prescription for PAXLOVID.”
More information on PAXLOVID can be found at the Canadian government's website.
Alberta has also received around 500,000 additional doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
“While we know that both mRNA vaccines are safe and effective, I know some Albertans have been waiting for Pfizer, as they prefer to receive the same vaccine for all three doses,” said Copping. “So if you’ve been waiting, it’s here, and please book your appointment.”
CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL WITH COVID-19
Hinshaw reminded Albertans that children aged five to 11 could soon become eligible to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
There were 75 unvaccinated children in that age group who were hospitalized over the past 120 days, compared to six children who had a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine who were hospitalized, added Hinshaw.
She added that children who are too young to be vaccinated that live in households where no adults are vaccinated are one-and-a-half times likelier to be hospitalized if they contract COVID-19.
“While children… are, individually, at a lower risk of severe outcomes, that risk is not zero and those kids can also take COVID-19, if they get infected, home to their families,” said Hinshaw.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre personally holds investment in Bitcoin as he promotes crypto to Canadians
Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has a personal financial interest in cryptocurrencies that he has promoted during his campaign as a hedge against inflation.

Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
A day after Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner was robbed of his Range Rover at gunpoint outside an Etobicoke movie theatre, Toronto police said they have already seen more carjackings so far this year than they did in all of 2021.
Alberta premier urges U.S. senators to convince Michigan to stop Line 5 shutdown
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is urging the U.S. government to convince Michigan to abandon its legal campaign against the Line 5 pipeline.
Former Pentagon officials briefed Canadian MPs on UFOs, MP and researcher say
Former Pentagon officials have briefed at least three Canadian members of Parliament about unidentified flying objects, according to a Manitoba MP and a Texas-based researcher.
Prince Charles offers remarks about reconciliation as Canadian tour begins
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, have arrived in St. John's, N.L., to begin a three-day Canadian tour that includes stops in Ottawa and the Northwest Territories.
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.
Airport delays: Transport minister says feds not asking airlines to cut back flights
Canada's transport minister is dismissing claims that the federal government asked airlines to reduce their schedules and cancel flights to ease recent travel delays.
First transgender federal party leader calls for national anti-trans hate strategy
The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to develop a targeted anti-transgender hate strategy, citing a 'rising tide of hate' both in Canada and abroad. Amita Kuttner, who is Canada's first transgender federal party leader, made the call during a press conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
Regular travel and public health measures can't coexist: Canadian Airport Council
International arrivals at Canadian airports are so backed up, people are being kept on planes for over an hour after they land because there isn't physically enough space to hold the lineups of travellers, says the Canadian Airports Council.