“As Alberta enters a busy respiratory virus season, we encourage all Albertans to follow preventative health best practices, including staying up to date on immunizations, staying home when sick, and choosing the right care option for their needs. If you have questions about your eligibility or where to go for care, please contact a trusted primary care provider, call 811, or visit 811 Health Link, which is available 24-7.
“I also want to remind Albertans that not every flu case requires a visit to the emergency department. Care options include community pharmacies, primary care providers, urgent care centres and virtual care services, which help ensure emergency services remain available for those who need them most.
“We sincerely thank all health care professionals for their dedication, professionalism and tireless work caring for Albertans during this busy time. We encourage Albertans to take simple steps to stay healthy and help protect one another as we move through the season together.”
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services
“As with previous respiratory virus seasons, hospitals and emergency departments across the province are seeing increased illness related to respiratory viruses. Despite these pressures, Alberta’s health system remains prepared and equipped to meet demand and continue delivering safe, reliable care.
“Surge and overcapacity protocols have been activated as needed across the province to meet capacity needs. These protocols include adding temporary beds, augmenting staff, reconfiguring spaces and using virtual hospital supports so patients can safely recover at home when appropriate.
“Hospitals are seeing higher numbers of patients with confirmed influenza compared to this time last year, while confirmed COVID-19 and RSV cases are comparatively lower. Emergency departments are also managing typical winter-related concerns, as well as high numbers of seriously ill and injured patients. However, scheduled procedures and appointments continue as planned, and surgical sites remain fully operational.
“Alberta has expanded capacity where needed, including opening additional beds and spaces, supporting early discharge with enhanced home supports and coordinating care across hospitals and community sites. These measures help us to manage higher volumes while maintaining access to essential services.
“We continue to monitor system pressures closely and we are ready to respond if demand increases further. If needed, Acute Care Alberta, in collaboration with service delivery providers, can escalate over-capacity responses, authorize the use of additional designated surge spaces and temporary care areas, and accelerate patient flow measures to ensure access and safety.
“Front-line health care teams across the province continue to work with Acute Care Alberta, hospital providers, Emergency Health Services and community partners to ensure care is available when and where it’s needed.”
Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services