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Tag: Alberta

Topic: measlesView all posts for the topic: measles

Canada heading toward major measles outbreak without vaccine boost, new modelling suggests

Published March 16, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Lauren Pelley

As measles cases keep appearing in more parts of the country, new projections suggest there’s a high chance Canada may experience a “sizable outbreak” — with anywhere from dozens to thousands of people infected if the disease strikes communities with low vaccination rates.

As of Friday, at least 31 cases of measles have been reported so far this year across Canada, according to a CBC News tally of provincial and regional figures released by public health teams.

That’s already the largest annual total since 2019 and more than double the number of cases reported last year, as medical experts fear the number will rise while more Canadians travel in and out of the country this month for March break.

Continue readingCanada heading toward major measles outbreak without vaccine boost, new modelling suggests
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Topic: vaccinesView all posts for the topic: vaccines

Fall COVID-19 vaccine cut illness risk by half overall

Published February 22, 2024

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Published by: Globe and Mail
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By Kelly Grant

The fall COVID-19 vaccine cut the risk of COVID-19 illness by about half overall, and by 67 per cent for those with a previous infection, according to new research from the Canadian network that has long tracked the performance of the annual flu shot.

This is the first time the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network, which is comprised of hundreds of primary care providers in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, produced mid-season estimates of the effectiveness of immunization against COVID-19.

Continue readingFall COVID-19 vaccine cut illness risk by half overall
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Latest COVID-19 variant wrestles its way to the top in Alberta

Published January 10, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

A new COVID-19 variant appears to be on its way to taking over in Alberta, with one expert predicting it likely already accounts for the lion’s share of the province’s cases.

JN.1 is an offshoot of BA.2.86, which has evolved, like many of its predecessors, to better evade our immune defences.

It is now the dominant strain in Canada. Data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows it accounted for about 66 per cent of COVID-19 cases nationwide by the end of December.

Continue readingLatest COVID-19 variant wrestles its way to the top in Alberta
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Albertans can now book appointments for the updated Novavax vaccine

Published January 3, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

A limited supply of the updated Novavax vaccine is rolling out in Alberta this week with appointment booking starting Wednesday and shots going into arms as of Friday.

Alberta Health said it has approximately 5,000 doses of the Novavax XBB.1.5 vaccine in stock.

The latest version of the protein-based vaccine was approved by Health Canada in early December.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

An Alberta New Year’s Wish for a Working Public Health System

Published December 29, 2023

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Published by: The Tyee
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By Lisa Young

When approving the advertising campaign, the government’s revisions “included the removal of details about vaccine eligibility, immunization locations by age group and the types of vaccines being offered and their efficacy against different strains of COVID-19 and influenza. Two lines that encouraged Albertans to book vaccination appointments were also deleted.”

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Alberta’s COVID death toll up by 36 since last week, with 177 more hospitalizations

Published December 14, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Robson Fletcher

Another 36 Albertans have died from COVID, according to the latest weekly data released by the province on Thursday.

That brings the death toll for the current season to 306.

Continue readingAlberta’s COVID death toll up by 36 since last week, with 177 more hospitalizations
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Hospital surge beds added as pressure grows in Alberta’s intensive care units

Published December 14, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

Alberta hospitals are squeezing in extra intensive care unit beds as respiratory virus cases balloon and ICUs fill up.

Alberta Health Services has added 17 adult surge beds since last week — 12 in Edmonton and 5 in Calgary— bringing the total to 240.

Continue readingHospital surge beds added as pressure grows in Alberta’s intensive care units
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

COVID, flu vaccine uptake low in Alberta heading into holiday season

Published December 6, 2023

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Published by: Calgary Herald
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By Michael Rodriguez

With vaccination numbers lagging and the holiday season approaching, health experts are calling on Albertans to roll up their sleeves for their flu and COVID-19 shots.

As of Nov. 25, 17 people in Alberta had died of the flu during this respiratory virus season, and close to 500 were hospitalized, according to provincial data. In the same time frame, 245 deaths and almost 2,300 hospitalizations were tied to COVID-19.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Alberta’s new COVID stats page can be confusing. Here are the key numbers — and what they mean

Published November 23, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Robson Fletcher

Alberta’s new respiratory virus dashboard provides weekly updates on the spread of COVID‑19 in the province, but making sense of the numbers can be a challenge — and it’s particularly difficult to figure out how many people have died.

Continue readingAlberta’s new COVID stats page can be confusing. Here are the key numbers — and what they mean
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Centre adopts masking directive to curb COVID-19 infections

Published November 22, 2023

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Published by: Global News
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By Paula Tran

Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Centre is one of the latest hospitals to adopt Alberta Health Service’s mask directive to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Masking is now required for Peter Lougheed Centre’s staff, physicians, volunteers, contracted service providers and laboratory workers in patient-facing areas of the hospital.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Manning panel gives 90 recommendations on Alberta’s COVID‑19 pandemic response

Published November 15, 2023

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Published by: Global News / The Canadian Press
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A panel reviewing Alberta’s COVID-19 response is calling for rule changes to ensure the province’s premier and cabinet have the last word in future crises, with help from a new senior science officer.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Anti-vaxxers’ fingerprints are all over Danielle Smith’s plans for public health care

Published November 14, 2023

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Published by: Toronto Star
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By Gillian Steward

It could be dubbed the revenge of the anti-vaxxers. Or the triumph of COVID-19 conspiracy kooks.

Because there’s no question that the Alberta government’s dissection of the province’s public health care system as announced last week shows just how far it is willing to go to punish those who promoted vaccine mandates, mask mandates and any other measures in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Nearly 40 million rapid COVID tests unused in Alberta as expiry dates loom

Published November 6, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

Alberta has close to 40 million COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in its stockpile and they’re all set to expire within a few months. Those that go unused will be trashed, the provincial government has confirmed.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

AHS mask mandate takes effect at Drumheller health centre

Published November 3, 2023

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Published by: Calgary Herald
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By Hiren Mansukhani

The Drumheller Health Centre has become the first acute-care facility in southern Alberta to adopt AHS masking rules to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The mandate, posted by Alberta Health Services on Friday, requires all patients, visitors, and medical and non-medical staff to wear masks in areas where patients are cared for, including the long-term care and supportive living wings of the hospital, as well as the Community Cancer Centre.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Health-care workers on edge as number of Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19 doubles

Published October 19, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

Doctors and nurses are warning that Alberta’s health system is already under strain as COVID-19 hospitalizations surge and the respiratory virus season has yet to kick into high gear.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Royal Alex becomes first Alberta hospital to bring back required masking

Published October 13, 2023

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Published by: CTV News
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By Sean Amato

Health-care workers, contractors and patients now have to wear masks in some parts of the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID‑19.

Continue readingRoyal Alex becomes first Alberta hospital to bring back required masking
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