Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says while all Albertans are getting tired of the measures that are in effect to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the province, they must remain in place for a while longer to protect that very health-care system from the overwhelming strain.  

Hinshaw made the remarks while delivering the daily pandemic update in the province.  She said that despite the decline in new and active cases across Alberta, high hospitalization rates in Alberta were affecting all of us.  She said the hard work and sacrifice of Albertans had led to a decline in recent weeks from the peak of 943 people in hospital on December 30th to 604 in today's update.  ICU admissions have also fallen from a high of 155 to 110 today.

While Hinshaw says it's encouraging news and a symbol that Alberta is making meaningful progress, the health-care system is still under tremendous strain.

"It also means there are just as many people in hospital today as there were on December 4th when our acute-care system was struggling under the impact of COVID-19."

Hinshaw says the strain impacts anyone needing care, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19. "For example, let's consider someone who has a heart attack or someone who falls and breaks their wrist.   Both of these require hospital care and have nothing to do with COVID-19.  In both cases, the large number of beds that are currently occupied by COVID patients and the precautions that must be taken to prevent the spread of the virus in  hospital means that there are fewer beds available when patients arrive."

Hinshaw says when there are a high number of COVID-19 patients who require care it means that hospital units fill up faster and there are fewer spaces for those who suffer strokes, heart attacks, or other ailments.  She says people should know that, if they're in need of urgent care, that care is available which is why it's so important to keep restrictions in place for a bit longer to ensure care is readily available for all Albertans.

Today (January 27) Hinshaw announced that 459 new cases had been reported out of 12,856 tests for a positivity rate of just 3.6 percent.  Twelve more deaths brings the total number to 1,599.  It was also reported today that, as of January 26th, 101,123 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the province.  1,362 people have been fully immunized with two doses.

Active cases in Airdrie dropped once more today to 81 from 90 on Tuesday.  1,649 Airdronians have now recovered while 16 have died.

Rocky View County saw an increase of six active cases to 64 with 756 recovered and four deaths.  

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