Alberta reports 1,495 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations surpass 600

Alberta reported 1,495 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, raising the province’s active case count to 20,610.

The number of hospitalizations in Alberta due to the virus continues on an upward trend as well. There are currently 616 people in hospital with COVID-19, an increase of 22 from Sunday’s count of 594. This includes 145 individuals in intensive care.

There were 1,542 variants of concern reported on Monday. Variants now represent 64% of all active cases in Alberta with a total of 13,187.

Another seven deaths relating to the virus were reported in the last day, bringing the province’s death toll to 2,074.

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Also on Monday, the province announced that, starting April 27, vaccines will be offered to more than 15,000 workers at 136 federal and provincial meat-packing plants across the province.

“Health officials have long been working on plans to vaccinate workers at meat-packing plants,” said Alberta Minister of Health, Tyler Shandro, in a news release. “These workplaces have certainly borne their share of the burden of COVID-19, and I am relieved and pleased that we can now offer vaccine to this next group in Phase 2C.”

To accommodate the large number of workers, employees at federal meat-packing plants will be immunized using a combination of Primary Care Network clinics, public health clinics, local pharmacies, or AHS immunization sites.

Alberta is also expanding the number of individuals eligible under Phase 2B of the vaccine rollout. Those born between 2006 and 2009 with underlying health conditions can now begin booking appointments for their COVID-19 vaccine.

A doctor’s note is required for these individuals to schedule appointments with participating pharmacies and Alberta Health Services.

As of April 25, 1,419,188 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alberta. There are 274,289 Albertans considered fully immunized with two doses of the vaccine.