COVID-19 Update: 1,521 new cases, two deaths | 45,000+ AstraZeneca appointments open in Calgary | Hitmen pause games after positive test
Watch this page throughout the day for updates on COVID-19 in Calgary
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With news on COVID-19 happening rapidly, we’ve created this page to bring you our latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Calgary.
What’s happening now
- Alberta reported Friday 1,521 new cases of COVID-19 on 15,611 tests and two additional deaths. There were 674 new variant cases identified. There was no live update from Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
- The WHL has suspended team activities for the Calgary Hitmen and the Medicine Hat Tigers after a positive COVID-19 test.
- Lethbridge Police have charged two people under the provincial Public Health Act after they organized a large, indoor social gathering.
- The U.K. variant is now the dominant strain of new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, Hinshaw said Thursday.
- A group of 16 UCP MLAs have spoken out against the province’s latest restrictions in a written statement.
- Alberta doctors held a press conference Wednesday to call for the province to enact an immediate lockdown.
- RCMP and AHS surrounded Edmonton-area GraceLife Church with fences after months of the church refusing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
- With three Calgary high schools reporting variant cases, parents and critics are asking why in-school protocols have not been changed to account for the more infectious strains.
- Alberta is back in Step 1 of reopening. As well, indoor dining at restaurants is not allowed.
- Vaccinations are open to everyone in Phase 2B of the province’s rollout. Albertans aged 55-64 are also now eligible to book an appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
- The Calgary Herald/Calgary Sun has released a series of features looking back at the last year. Read all of our COVID One Year Later series.
My COVID Story: How have you been impacted by coronavirus?
Postmedia is looking to speak with people who may have been impacted by COVID-19 here in Alberta. Have you undergone a travel-related quarantine? Have you received your vaccine, and if so did you feel any side effects? Have you changed your life for the better because of the pandemic? Send us an email at reply@calgaryherald.com to tell us your experience, or send us a message via this form.
Read our ongoing coverage of personal stories arising from the pandemic.
‘Gaps in the system’: Calgary traveller shocked by Ottawa’s uneven quarantine measures
A Calgary man who returned from a three-month stay at his Phoenix, Ariz. property last week said he was shocked by lax enforcement of the mandatory hotel quarantine for returning travellers at Calgary International Airport.
Bill Lister said when he landed in Calgary, he was free to walk out of the airport and into the back of a taxi, saying it’s just one of the “gaps in the system.”
Though he could have left, he went to complete his hotel stay, as required. But he said hotel staff informed him he could leave at any time if he chose to do so.
“I’m not an anti-quarantine guy… My point with the program is that, if you have a program, you should have a program,” Lister said.
Alberta reports more than 1,500 COVID-19 cases for first time since mid-December
Alberta’s third wave of COVID-19 infections continued to grow Friday, as the province reported its highest single-day case count in months.
The province reported 1,521 new cases of the novel coronavirus Friday, the most since Dec. 16, when Alberta was still in the grips of a devastating second wave.
The newly reported infections came from 15,611 tests, representing a 9.7-per-cent positivity rate.
Case counts of more-contagious variant strains of COVID-19 also rose, as Alberta tallied another 674 variant infections.
In Canada’s north, a successful vaccine push has put end of COVID pandemic within sight
The Yukon and all of Canada’s northern territories have tight travel restrictions, including mandatory 14-day quarantines. But they don’t have the lockdowns that have become all too standard elsewhere and for much of the pandemic businesses in the north have been at least partially open.
By contrast, as a third wave continues to hit, restaurants in much of the country outside Atlantic Canada are shuttered to indoor dining, and in Ontario even patios are off the menu. Even in Atlantic Canada, which has weathered COVID-19 well, there are some regional restrictions keeping restaurants closed.
People can gather indoors in groups of as many as 25 and outdoors in groups of 50 in the Yukon and they can have broader social bubbles. In most of the rest of Canada, people are being told to stay home as much as possible.
Ontario issues emergency orders to bolster hospital capacity as cases soar
Ontario will allow hospitals to transfer patients without their consent and redeploy home-care workers to the facilities as the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units hits new highs.
The government issued two new emergency orders Friday evening — which are effective immediately — to address the capacity crunch many hospitals are facing.
YMCA Calgary suspends indoor activities
YMCA Calgary is temporarily suspending all indoor activities until further notice due to rising COVID-19 cases.
YMCA Calgary made the announcement in a news release Friday afternoon, but noted it would still be providing outdoor and virtual programming.
“We have taken into account the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, members and participants given rising COVID case rates in this Third Wave,” YMCA Calgary said in the news release.
“We have also examined the new level of restrictions, our capacity to serve the community under those restrictions and considered our current financial circumstances. Although we remain resilient, this very challenging year has influenced the programs and services we can offer while still paying our charity’s expenses.”
The outdoor programming still on offer includes active programming for kids, adults and teens; outdoor fitness and yoga classes; family experiences and summer day camps from July 4 to Aug. 27. YMCA Calgary also continues to offer virtual workouts through its Facebook page.
Given the hit to revenue current and earlier restrictions have caused, YMCA Calgary is asking members and supporters to consider donating to the organization.
The third wave in Calgary
Here are daily new COVID-19 cases in the city since Nov. 1, broken down by age. Almost every age group is near or above levels seen during the second wave, particularly younger age groups. There is even a slight increase in the largely vaccinated 70+ group. In the past week, there have been 104 new infections in that group.
How ‘excess deaths’ show COVID’s real impact, and point to better ways of combating pandemics
More than a year into the pandemic, it’s a refrain that still reverberates on social media: COVID-19 is no worse than the seasonal flu, so why all the fuss?
From such thinking flows condemnation of lockdowns and their harsh side effects and sometimes conspiracy theories about drug companies, rich philanthropists and vaccines.
But a metric that’s drawn relatively little public attention belies the narrative that the coronavirus threat has been grossly exaggerated. Statistics indicate that Canada and most other countries have seen significant rates of “excess deaths” during the pandemic — many more people dying than the average for previous years.
And the worldwide excess-death data reveal some intriguing trends, patterns that might indicate how best to tackle the next pandemic.
India’s variant-fuelled second wave coincided with spike in infected flights landing in Canada
India’s devastating second COVID-19 wave correlated with the sudden spike in infected passengers from that country arriving at Canadian airports.
And that wave, say Indian health officials, is being fuelled by a recently-discovered ‘double-mutation’ strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus — a variant that combines two mutations only previously found in separate strains that increase infectiousness and resistance to to antibodies.
“Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity,” read a March 24 statement from India’s Health Ministry.
1,521 new cases, two deaths
The latest COVID-19 numbers for Alberta:
- 1,521 new cases on 15,611 tests
- 333 in hospital; 83 in ICUs
- Two additional deaths; 2,007 total
- 13,059 active cases; 143,360 recovered
- 674 new variant cases identified; variants represent 45.5% of active cases
There was no live update from Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Friday and none scheduled until Tuesday.
ICUs see near record of COVID-19 patients as new variant cases double over last week
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units across the country has reached a near record as the spread of more contagious variants drives up hospitalizations, prompting Ontario officials to scale back on non-urgent procedures.
Canada’s chief public health officer says the number of new COVID-19 cases linked to variants of concern has doubled over the past week, with B.1.1.7, first identified in the U.K., “essentially replacing” pre-existing versions of the virus.
As Kenney’s COVID approval sinks, experts call it a situation of his own creation
Experts say mounting disapproval over Premier Jason Kenney’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and tensions within his caucus surrounding public-health restrictions are the result of the Alberta leader’s own mixed messaging in response to the crisis.
Survey results released Friday by the Angus Reid Institute indicated three-quarters of Albertans feel Kenney is doing a bad job handling the pandemic more than a year since it began. It marked the highest disapproval rating for a premier of any region in Canada, according to the poll.
Just 23 per cent of the 162 Albertans polled said Kenney was doing a good job, which was the lowest score for any premier in the country.
Pfizer seeks U.S. emergency approval for COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents
Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech SE on Friday asked U.S. regulators to allow the emergency use of their vaccine in adolescents aged 12 to 15.
The vaccine is currently authorized for emergency use in the United States for people aged 16 and up. The companies said on Friday that they requested an expansion of the authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to include the younger age group.
Dandy Brewing closes temporarily after delivery person tests positive
The Dandy Brewing Company is temporarily closing its tasting room after a vendor who made a delivery tested positive for COVID-19.
The vendor made the delivery on Tuesday afternoon, Dandy said in an a post on Instagram.
“Although the staff they interacted with was limited, and proper protocol was observed, out of abundance of caution we are closing the tasting room today (Friday, April 9) until we can get more information from AHS as to the safest next steps and the staff involved can be tested.”
Dandy said in the post that it doesn’t believe it is required to close by AHS guidelines, but are doing so due to rising COVID-19 cases overall and rising numbers of cases of variants of concern.
More than 300 Calgary pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccine
There are now 321 pharmacies offering the COVID-19 vaccine in Calgary. Appointments are still necessary and can be booked by contacting participating pharmacies by phone or online. Before booking, go to the Alberta government website to find out when you’re eligible for your free vaccination. More details on booking an appointment at a pharmacy can be found at Alberta Blue Cross.
Nearly 50,000 AstraZeneca shots available in Calgary next week
Calgary Hitmen and Medicine Hat Tigers suspend activities after positive COVID-19 test
COVID has struck the Calgary Hitmen.
The Western Hockey League broke the news Friday that “a player within the team cohort of the Calgary Hitmen” has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the club to suspend all team activities effective immediately.
That puts an indefinite pause on what has already been a shortened schedule of 24 games due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the fact the players are minors and out of respect for private medical information, the team has refused comment on the situation at this time.
The latest on COVID-19 from across Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting three new cases of COVID-19. Officials say one case involves a man between 20 and 39 years old and his infection is related to travel within Canada. Contact tracers are trying to chase down the source of the other two infections.
Health officials in New Brunswick have confirmed a person in their 60s in the Edmundston region has died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the province’s number of deaths from the disease to 32.
Nova Scotia is reporting two new cases of COVID-19. One case is in the province’s northern zone and is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The second was recorded in the central zone, which includes Halifax, and it is under investigation.
Quebec is reporting 1,683 new COVID-19 cases today and eight more deaths attributed to the virus, including five in the previous 24 hours. Health officials say hospitalizations rose by three to 569 over the pats 24 hours, while the number of intensive care patients rose by two to 134.
Ontario is reporting 4,227 new cases of COVID-19 today and 18 additional deaths from the virus. Hospitals in the province are being instructed to ramp down elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures in order to treat a growing number of COVID-19 patients.
Isolation requirements relaxed for some household contacts of U.K. variant
As the U.K. strain of COVID-19 becomes dominate in Alberta, the province is offering more testing and relaxing isolation requirements in certain cases for household contacts of those who test positive for the strain.
Effective yesterday, Alberta is offering two tests to all close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of the strain.
The province also slightly relaxed the isolation requirements around household contacts of the U.K. strain. Previously, household contacts could need to isolate for up to 24 days if the infectious person remained in the home. Now, the isolation period for household members lasts for 14 days after the last contact with the infected person if that person can remain totally isolated with their own bedroom and bathroom within the home.
The 24-day isolation requirement for household contacts remains for cases of the Brazil (P.1.) and South Africa (B.135.1) variants.
The province is still strongly urging people to make use of COVID isolation hotels if they test positive and feel they cannot safely isolate from other household members.
A provincial spokesperson said variant testing results usually arrive 2-3 days after a person’s positive COVID-19 test.
The world’s wealthiest countries are getting vaccinated 25 times faster than the rest of the world
Enough vaccines have now been administered to fully vaccinate about 5 per cent of the global population — but the distribution has been lopsided. Most vaccines are going to the wealthiest countries.
As of Thursday, 40 per cent of the COVID-19 vaccines administered globally have gone to people in 27 wealthy nations that represent 11 per cent of the global population. Countries making up the least-wealthy 11 per cent have gotten just 1.6 per cent of COVID-19 vaccines administered so far, according to an analysis of data collected by the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker.
In other words, countries with the highest incomes are vaccinating 25 times faster than those with the lowest.
Hinshaw promises to ease ‘devastating’ impact of isolation in locked-down care facilities
Health officials plan to ease restrictions in continuing care facilities “very soon” but are still trying to balance risk because some staff and residents are unvaccinated.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw told families on a province-wide town hall Thursday evening that her team is trying to decide if restrictions should be based on an individual’s vaccination status, as many families have requested.
That would require “something akin to a vaccine passport,” said Hinshaw, which the UCP caucus has opposed. Another option would be to lift restrictions based on the general vaccination level in a continuing care facility, or within a certain cohort of society.
But either way, something will change soon, she said. “We need to figure out how to make life worth living in these facilities.”
Who have provinces pegged to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks?
As COVID-19 vaccine supplies ramp up across the country, most provinces and territories have released details of who can expect to receive a shot in the coming weeks.
The military commander handling logistics for Canada’s vaccine distribution program says there will be enough vaccine delivered to give a first dose before Canada Day to every adult who wants one.
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin says that’s if provinces follow the advice to delay second doses up to four months.
Thursday
Police charge organizers of Lethbridge house party that violated COVID-19 rules
Two organizers of a house party in Lethbridge last month could face fines of up to $1,200 for violation of public health orders meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Lethbridge Police Service announced Thursday it had charged two people under the provincial Public Health Act after a party was held March 13 in a south Lethbridge home.
After a joint investigation with Alberta Health Services, police charged two organizers of a large, indoor social gathering that was held at a home in the 200 block of Fairmont Boulevard South in Lethbridge.
Thursday
Northeast councillor Chahal takes aim at COVID vaccine hesitancy
The city councillor for Calgary’s farthest northeast neighbourhoods is taking the issue of vaccine hesitancy into his own hands, rolling out resources to help spread accurate information about COVID-19 vaccination, from trusted sources in their own communities.
Ward 5 Coun. George Chahal hosted a virtual town hall Wednesday night where he quizzed a panel of doctors about the four vaccines for COVID-19 currently approved by Health Canada and what the public needs to know about them. They touched on common questions about side effects and effectiveness, and urged Calgarians to get whatever vaccine is offered to them as soon as they can.
Over about two hours, Chahal also spoke to panels of faith leaders, front-line workers and members of Calgary’s sports community, who told stories about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and underlined the importance of getting vaccinated.
Thursday
Alberta beekeepers concerned about dangerously low supply of honeybees due to import delays
Alberta beekeepers are sounding the alarm about the dangerously low supply of honeybees due to delayed or cancelled imports of the black and yellow insects to the province.
With the pandemic making it impossible to import bees last year and significant loss over the cold winter, Alberta hive numbers have plummeted by more than 20,000 and resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in honey production in 2020. Beekeepers were hopeful imported packages of bees from Australia and New Zealand this spring would bolster the population but ongoing shipping and inspection delays have them worried.
Thursday
Vaccine brings new hope to Calgary woman living with cystic fibrosis
A Calgary woman living with a serious lung condition said getting her first vaccine dose was like being released from prison, even though she knows she’s not fully protected just yet.
Nicki Perkins has already overcome the odds with cystic fibrosis (CF) by living to age 48 without a lung transplant.
“When I went to get the vaccine on Saturday, it felt like I was out of jail and I’m looking around the world going, ‘This is what the rest of the world does? This is so weird,’” said Perkins.
Thursday
As COVID-19 restrictions tighten, calls mount for more business supports
On the eve of a third round of bruising restrictions, Calgary pub owner Mike Shupenia spent Thursday wading through an alphabet soup of COVID-19 government aid that might help him hang on to staff — and his business.
“Should we tell our staff to serve, do they get a couple of more hours or do we lay everyone off for a third round? Are they going to be okay?” said Shupenia, who runs the Side Street Pub and Grill in Kensington.
“Our staff are our family.”
Thursday
Alberta search and rescue calls soar during pandemic
Record numbers of Albertans heading into the Rockies’ eastern slopes have search and rescue numbers spiking during the pandemic, say first responders.
Those pressures have forced taxpayers to ante up millions of dollars more to cover the costs of bringing people to safety, said the province.
Seeking outdoor relief from COVID-19 restrictions during 2020 led to the busiest year on provincial Crown land with 5,394,168 visits to Kananaskis Country, a 24 per cent increase over 2019, say Alberta Parks and Environment.
That’s more visitors than Banff National Park hosted last year.
Thursday
AHS to open immunization clinic at Cargill meat-processing plant
Canada’s first on-site workplace immunization clinic is opening at the Cargill meat-packing plant where over 2,000 workers will be offered jabs.
The High River facility was home to the country’s largest COVID-19 outbreak last spring where nearly 950 workers were infected, representing roughly half of the plant’s workforce. The site is facing another outbreak currently, according to the province.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) said plans are underway to establish the on-site immunization clinic, in collaboration with the Alberta International Medical Graduates Association and the Highland, Mosaic and Calgary rural primary care networks.
Thursday
U.K. variant becomes dominant COVID-19 strain in Alberta as province reports 1,429 new cases, a 16-week high
The B.1.1.7 variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, is now the dominant strain of new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta.
The news comes as Alberta reports its highest count of new novel coronavirus cases tallied in a single day in 16 weeks.
The province’s top doctor said Thursday more-contagious variants now make up the majority of newly detected infections, taking the place of the previously dominant strain, which has been in Alberta since last March. As such, the province is treating B.1.1.7 as the wild strain.
“We have now reached the point where if you test positive, you should assume you have the U.K. variant,” said Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
Thursday
1,429 new cases, three deaths
Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw will speak with reporters at 3:30 p.m.
- 1,429 new cases of COVID-19 on ~15,000 tests; 9.4% positivity rate
- 340 in hospital; 83 in ICUs
- Three additional deaths
- 717 additional variant cases identified; variants are about 45% of active cases
- Active alerts or outbreaks in 414 schools
You can watch the full livestream below.
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