Alberta reports 170 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations continue to drop
Alberta reported another 170 cases of COVID-19 Friday as hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to decline.
The province completed 6,682 tests to raise the positivity rate to 3.9 per cent.
There are 296 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 79 in ICU. Last Friday, there were 379 patients seeking treatment for COVID-19 in hospital including 108 in ICU.
Three more deaths from COVID-19 were reported Friday, raising the provincial total to 2,265 deaths.
More than 3.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alberta with 67.8 per cent of the population aged 12 and over receiving at least one dose. Currently 16.7 per cent of the population eligible for immunization are fully vaccinated.
The province entered Stage 2 of the reopening plan on Thursday.
- 'Welcome to Stage 2, Alberta': Province moves ahead in reopening plan, 2nd dose delivery ramped up
- Alberta moves to Stage 2 of reopening on June 10: What will change?
- 'We're thrilled': Stage 2 starts Thursday, restaurants and attractions prepare for busy weekend
The threshold to reach Stage 2 requires 60 per cent of Albertans aged 12 or older receiving their first vaccine dose and fewer that 500 hospitalizations.
Under the new restrictions, outdoor gatherings up to 20 people are permitted, gyms and fitness studios can open, and restaurants may resume indoor dining with a maximum of six people per table.
To move to the next stage of reopening, Alberta needs 70 per cent of the population over the age of 12 to receive one dose of vaccine.
In a media availability on Thursday, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said there are approximately 70,000 Albertans booked to receive first doses in the next week.
According to Premier Jason Kenney, the province would need over 100,000 vaccine appointments for first doses to allow Alberta to move to Stage 3 by the end of June or early July.
“Having that first dose target achieved would be the quickest way to be able to move forward into the kinds of activities that we’ve all missed,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health. “We are extremely close.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.