Alberta reports 1,136 new cases of COVID-19 as hospitalizations continue to rise

Alberta reported 1,136 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of active infections in the province to 14,849.

While the number of new cases found daily has been declining since late last week, hospitalizations continue to rise.

There are currently 390 people in hospital due to the virus. Of these, 90 individuals are in intensive care.

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Out of the 1,136 new cases, 679 were variants of concern. Alberta currently has 7,620 active COVID-19 variant cases, representing over half of the province’s total active infections.

Five additional deaths related to COVID-19 were reported over the last 24 hours, raising Alberta’s death toll to 2,018.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney shared a positive message about the province’s vaccine rollout.

“In the race between the vaccines and variants, we are gaining ground. We will keep accelerating our rollout and timelines,” said Premier Kenney. “We are determined to meet or surpass our commitment to offer every adult a first dose by June 30.”

The statement outlined the steps the province has undertaken in the last week to increase vaccine distribution.

This included fully rolling out Phase 2B to more than 650,000 Albertans with underlying health conditions, opening bookings for the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 to 64, and opening rapid flow clinics in communities across Alberta.

Beginning Monday morning, the province also opened Phase 2C of the vaccine rollout to more than 240,000 frontline healthcare workers.

Additional groups in Phase 2C will become eligible in the coming weeks, as availability allows.

More than 1.7 million Albertans are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be made at participating pharmacies, through Alberta Health Services’ online booking system, or by calling 811.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, will provide a live update about COVID-19 on Tuesday, April 9.