Alberta reaches 11% testing positivity rate with 1,391 new COVID-19 cases

Alberta reported 1,391 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, 1,160 of which were variants of concern.

The new cases that were identified out of the 12,588 tests performed mean that Alberta’s testing positivity rate is now at 11%.

There are currently 18,424 active infections in the province, with variants representing nearly 57% of those.

The province’s hospitalization rate continues to rise, with 460 Albertans in hospital due to the virus, including 104 in intensive care.

Three additional deaths related to COVID-19 were identified in the past 24 hours, bringing the province’s death toll to 2,043.

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With the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine on April 20 to include individuals born in 1981 or earlier, 2.3 million Albertans will be eligible to receive their COVID-19 immunization.

In addition to adults aged 40 and over becoming eligible to receive AstraZeneca, anyone who qualified to receive a COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1, 2A, 2B, or 2C is encouraged to schedule an appointment to receive a shot.

Vaccination bookings can be made at participating pharmacies and through Alberta Health Services (AHS). Appointments to receive the vaccine at AHS locations can be made through the online booking system or by calling 811.

Walk-in vaccinations will be available at the walk-in clinics in Edmonton and Calgary, and specific pharmacies across the province.

As of April 18, 1,165,223 doses of the vaccine had been administered in the province, with 233,340 Albertans having received the two doses required to be considered fully immunized.