Province warns Omicron ‘hugely transmissible’ as estimated 8,250 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed over five days

“We have never before had a higher positivity rate than just over 13 per cent in any of our previous waves. This is one more data point that shows Omicron is different from anything that we have faced before,” Hinshaw said.

“In Calgary and Edmonton about one out of every three people going for tests is testing positive,” Hinshaw said.

There are now roughly 15,000 active cases of COVID-19 province-wide, according to Hinshaw. Despite the recent surge in cases, Hinshaw said hospitalizations remain stable for right now. But she cautioned that hospitalizations are a lagging indicator and they likely won’t have a better picture on the impact of acute care until later in January. However, Hinshaw said a rise in hospitalizations is likely due to the omicron variant, and she urged everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated, staying home when sick and keeping in-person gatherings small.

” I know all of us are sick and tired about having to think about COVID-19. I would not ask us to continue to do so if it were not important. We can’t stop Omicron but we can slow it down, and that means making choices every day to keep transmission as low as possible,” she said.

Kenney said that while that is not the news people were hoping for, the province is doing better today than in previous waves. Kenney cited that nearly 90 per cent of Albertans 12 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 85 percent have received a second dose.

Kenney stressed the most powerful thing Albertans can do during COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

He said Alberta, unlike previous waves has a strong supply of vaccinations, and the number of people getting booster shots is growing.

” As of December 26 at least 20 per cent of Albertans who have received their second dose have also received their booster shot. This puts us I think second to Saskatchewan, across the province in reported third dose administrations which is good news,” Kenney said.

Kenney also addressed confusion over breakthrough infections which involves people testing positive with the Omicron variant even though they are vaccinated.

“While that is true, it is also true that very, very few vaccinated people are ending up with severe symptoms or getting hospitalized. That data is clear in countries that have been hit hard with Omicron,” Kenney said.

Amid a rise in demand for rapid test kits, that have seen Albertans lining up, Kenney said the province is on track to receive $1 million rapid test kits this week, with another $3 million to arrive the following week.

Hinshaw clarified rapid test recommendations for people who have symptoms.

Hinshaw said anyone with a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fever should stay home and away from others. People who test positive from a rapid test and live or work in continuing care, corrections, acute care or a shelter must obtain a confirmatory PCR test. An individual who has risk factors that make them eligible for antibody treatment must also obtain a test. Anyone else is not required to get a confirmatory PCR test.

If someone tests negative with a rapid test, but they still display symptoms such as a cough or runny nose. Hinshaw said they must stay home and away from others even if they have multiple rapid tests that come back negative.

Finalized COVID-19 numbers including regional case numbers for Medicine Hat will be made available on the Alberta Health website during tomorrow’s update. The last update on Dec. 22 stated that Medicine Hat had 58 active cases.

by Tiffany Goodwein

Province warns Omicron ‘hugely transmissible’ as estimated 8,250 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed over five days

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