Check against delivery.
Thank you, Tom, and good afternoon everyone.
Before I get to today’s numbers, I want to spend a few moments talking about the challenges posed by misinformation, and the importance of sharing reliable sources.
It’s been almost 11 months since COVID arrived in Alberta, and I know that we are all tired, stressed and frustrated.
There is no one right way forward to navigate this pandemic, and it’s natural to sometimes disagree about what that right path is.
I have said before that having an open, respectful dialogue is important.
We need to talk to each other, listen to each other and work to support each other even if we don’t always agree.
Given the scale and speed of changes in our understanding of COVID-19 and how it behaves, it’s also natural to have questions and want to know more, and there’s just so much information available, especially online.
Over the last few months, you may have heard the term ‘infodemic’ used to describe the overabundance of information, online and offline, about COVID-19 and related topics.
It can be overwhelming to wade through all the data, opinions and stories out there and to know what to believe and how to respond.
Now, more than ever before, it’s critical that we are all informed by verified facts and informed analysis, and that we are making the best decisions for our individual and collective health and safety.
I want to encourage all Albertans to be thoughtful and appropriately critical of what you see on social media or any other platform.
Take a moment to assess the accuracy and consider the source of any information you read before you believe it or pass it along.
Look for information from a reputable source, which ideally can be confirmed by multiple other reputable sources.
When you can, promote content reviewed by people with expertise in epidemiology, infectious diseases or public health that will contribute to informing people, help keep us all safer, and help stop the spread of misinformation.
It’s also important to look at the date something was published to see if the information is recent or remains relevant.
Our understanding of this virus – the different symptoms, strains, long-term effects and vaccines – has grown significantly over the last 11 months and keeps growing.
Information from last spring or summer may not be aligned with best current evidence.
Each of us can help combat misinformation and disinformation.
This is another way we can all support and protect each other.
Turning to today’s update, we have now administered 99,814 doses of vaccine in the province. This includes more than 10,000 Albertans who have been fully immunized with two doses.
Over the last 24 hours, we have identified 366 new cases of COVID-19 in the province and completed about 8,300 tests.
Our current positivity rate is about 4.4%.
There are currently 266 active alerts and 12 outbreaks in schools.
This is about 12% of the schools in the province.
These schools have a combined total of 526 cases.
Currently, there are 626 people in hospital, including 108 who have been admitted to the ICU.
Sadly, 14 new deaths were reported to us in the last 24 hours.
This pandemic, and the current restrictions, make it harder to grieve in many traditional ways.
I offer my sympathies to anyone who is mourning the loss of someone near to them, no matter the cause.
We are monitoring the spread of COVID-19 closely in Alberta, and we continue to discuss when it may be safe to begin easing further restrictions.
I know that many Albertans and impacted businesses are eager to re-open, and wishing we would move more quickly.
This is understandable, and I wish it were not necessary to keep the current measures in place for a little while longer.
But we must be cautious, recognizing that the health system in all parts of the province remains under strain.
The rise of new variants in Alberta and around the world also makes it vital that we not move too quickly, which could have dire consequences for our health system and our health.
Police agencies and Public Health Inspectors continue to respond to complaints about facilities failing to practice appropriate COVID-19 protocols.
AHS and law enforcement always seek to work collaboratively with businesses and organizations to ensure compliance to the orders in place.
It is only when significant risk is demonstrated or continued non-compliance is noted that health inspectors resort to enforcement action, but they will enforce orders when needed.
COVID-19 has been with us for close to a year now.
Albertans from every corner of our province have been affected – in both big and small ways – by this pandemic.
Sadly, I have been informed of several instances in recent weeks where healthcare workers, including public health inspectors, immunizers and other frontline staff, have been mistreated, verbally abused or treated disrespectfully while carrying out their duties.
It’s understandable that strong emotions and responses to certain situations are occurring.
We recognize that Albertans are worried right now about their health, families, finances and their future.
I understand that continuing to follow COVID-19 restrictions is difficult.
But harassment is never ok and will not be accepted.
Healthcare workers work hard every day to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of all Albertans.
We need to remember that COVID is the enemy, not one another.
Frontline health workers, including public health inspectors, are protecting their communities and they need all of our cooperation.
Right now, more than ever, we need to work together, support one another, and choose kindness even when, and especially when, it is difficult to do so.
Thank you and I am happy to take questions.