Alberta reports 576 new cases of COVID-19 as hospitalizations reach 300

Alberta announced 576 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon, raising the province’s active case count to 7,975.

Of the new cases, 332 variants of concern were identified in Alberta, currently representing nearly 30% of all active infections.

Four new deaths relating to COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hours, which increases Alberta’s death toll to 1,987.

• See also:
  • Alberta moves into Phase 2B of vaccine rollout, pauses use of AstraZeneca
  • AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine suspended in Canada for those under 55
  • Canada still on track to immunize all adults by September despite AstraZeneca hurdles

There are now 301 people in hospital due to the virus, 58 of whom are in the ICU.

This pushes hospitalizations above the threshold of the province’s requirement of “300 hospitalizations and declining” before the government will consider moving into Step 3 restrictions.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, urged Albertans on Twitter to continue to follow all public health restrictions and to stay home if they are feeling sick.

The choices we all make matter. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell & continue to limit in-person gatherings. Please continue to respect public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 & to protect those around you. (3/3)

— Dr. Deena Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) March 30, 2021

Beginning Tuesday morning, Alberta moved into Phase 2B of its vaccine rollout program.

Appointments for vaccinations have been expanded to include nearly one million individuals who have underlying health conditions that would put them at high risk if they were to contract COVID-19.

Albertans born in 1963 or earlier who have qualifying health conditions can now book appointments through participating pharmacies that have vaccine supply in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer.

For those who would prefer to get their immunization through Alberta Health Services, appointments will become available starting April 5 for those born in 1959 or earlier who are eligible in Phase 2B.

Vaccinations can be scheduled through the AHS online booking system or by calling 811.

Additional birth years in Phase 2B will roll out as more vaccines arrive, and pharmacies in other communities across Alberta will also begin to offer appointments to those who qualify under Phase 2B as more supply becomes available.

There have been 620,009 doses of the vaccines administered as of March 29, with 99,378 Albertans having received the two doses required to be considered fully immunized.

Dr. Hinshaw will provide another live update about COVID-19 on Thursday, April 1.