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COVID-19 Updates: State of public health emergency declared.

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COVID-19 info for Albertans

Taking action to protect the health care system, increase vaccination rates, and reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

Table of contents

Current situation

Alberta declared a state of public health emergency. New public health restrictions come into effect starting September 16 to reduce spread and protect our health care system. Businesses participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program will require patrons to be vaccinated or show a recent negative test result.

Getting vaccinated is our best defence to beat COVID-19. Not vaccinated yet? Get $100 if your first or second dose is received between September 3 and October 14.

Translated resources

COVID-19 resources are available in عربي, 中文, हिंदी, 한국어, فارسی, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Af-Soomaali, Español, Français, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt and اردو on alberta.ca/CovidTranslated.

Cases in Alberta

  • 283,710 Total cases
  • 1,519 Cases on September 20
  • 260,219 Recovered cases
  • 2,574 Deaths
  • 20,917 Active cases*
  • 996 In hospital
  • 222 In intensive care**
  • 5,393,226 Total tests completed
  • 13,597 Tests on September 20
  • 2,394,608 People tested
  • 5,853,057 Vaccine doses as of Sept. 20

Updated September 21. Numbers are current as of end-of-day September 20. Case numbers are updated daily Monday to Friday.
*Active cases include both community cases and hospitalizations. **ICU cases are a subset of those in hospital.

Information for Albertans

Vaccines and records
All Albertans 12+ can book now. Once vaccinated, find out how to access your records and register for vaccine incentives.
Public health actions
New restrictions came into effect starting September 16. Businesses participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program will require proof of vaccination or negative test for entry.
Get tested
COVID-19 testing is available to all Albertans with symptoms and anyone linked to an outbreak.
Isolate or quarantine
You must isolate for 10 days if you test positive or have any core symptoms not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition.

Prevent the spread

  • Get vaccinated
    • COVID-19 vaccines are safe and help prevent you from getting infected and protect you from getting severely sick if you do get it.
    • All Albertans 12+ can book first and second doses now. Some people most at risk of severe illness can get a third dose.
    • A one-time $100 incentive is now available for all Albertans 18+ who receive a first or second dose between September 3 and October 14.
    • Working Albertans can access 3 hours of paid, job-protected leave to get each dose of the vaccine.

    Learn more about vaccines, incentives and vaccination records

  • Practice good hygiene

    In addition to getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene habits can protect you and those around you from spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

    • Stay home if you are feeling sick.
    • Wash or sanitize your hands often.
    • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
    • Avoid touching your face.
  • Gather safely

    Mandatory restriction - Effective Sept 16.

    Indoor social gatherings

    Vaccinated: Indoor private social gatherings are limited to a single household plus one other household to a maximum of 10 vaccine-eligible, vaccinated people and no restrictions on children under 12.

    Unvaccinated: Indoor social gatherings are not permitted for vaccine-eligible but unvaccinated people.

    Outdoor social gatherings

    Outdoor private social gatherings limited to a maximum of 200 people, with 2 metre physical distancing at all times.

    Learn more about temporary public health actions in place to reduce the impacts of COVID-19 on the health care system.

  • Monitor your symptoms

    COVID-19 symptoms are similar to influenza and other respiratory illnesses and can range from mild to severe. Even people with mild symptoms can spread COVID-19 to others.

    If you have any symptom, stay home and take the online assessment to arrange testing.

  • Isolate if required

    Isolation and quarantine requirements are in place for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms.

    Learn more about isolation and quarantine

  • How it spreads

    COVID-19 is transmitted though tiny droplets of liquid produced by people who have the virus. The virus spreads by:

    • breathing in air that contains infected droplets from people coughing, sneezing, talking, laughing, and singing
    • touching objects or surfaces the virus has landed on and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth (bath towels, kitchen utensils, door knobs, etc.)

    People who have COVID-19 can spread it to others before they start to feel sick.

    COVID-19 does not appear to transmit like measles through airborne transmission, but there may be circumstances that raise the risk of aerosol transmission. Individuals and businesses should apply mitigation strategies where these risks exist.

    We think the virus generally only survives for a few hours on a surface or object, but it may be possible for it to survive several days under some conditions.

  • Variants of concern

    Variants of concern spread more easily than the original COVID-19 strain, which could result in more severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

    Alberta is monitoring for variants of concern. The B.1.617 variant is the dominant strain in our province.

    Symptoms in variant cases are the same as the original virus, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, and sore throat.

    Learn more about COVID-19 variants

Financial supports

  • Critical Worker Benefit

    The Critical Worker Benefit provides a one-time payment of $1,200 to eligible Albertans in recognition of their hard work providing care and critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The application period for phase 2 is open to new categories of workers in the social services and private sectors.

    Learn more

  • Alberta Jobs Now program

    Private and non-profit businesses can apply for funding to offset the cost of hiring and training unemployed or underemployed Albertans into new or vacant full-time jobs.

    Employers can get up to:

    • $25,000 for each new hire, or
    • $37,500 for each new employee with a disability

    Workers cannot apply for the program directly, but can let potential employers know they can apply for the Alberta Jobs Now program if they hire you.

    Applications for the first intake closed on July 23, 2021

    Next intake: September 16 to December 31, 2021

    Learn more

  • Paid vaccination leave

    All working Albertans can access 3 hours of paid, job-protected leave to get each dose of the vaccine.

    Learn more

  • Individuals and families

    Financial support programs are available to help people experiencing unemployment and those who cannot work because they are sick, need to isolate, or are caring for someone in isolation.

    See all federal benefit programs

  • Businesses

    Businesses and self-employed people can access supports to help with COVID-19-related challenges to:

    • avoid layoffs, rehire employees and create new jobs
    • access financial support, loans and credit

    Use the business benefit finder

Get help

Info for organizations and vulnerable Albertans

  • Caregivers support

    Nearly one million Albertans act as caregivers for loved ones experiencing challenges related to illness, disability or aging. These caregivers need support too.

    Caregivers can get psychosocial and other peer and community supports by calling the toll-free caregiver advisor line at 1-877-453-5088 or going online to caregiversalberta.ca.

  • Expectant parents

    Pregnant people have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 than for those who are not pregnant.

    Infected pregnant people may also have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, compared to those who are pregnant without COVID-19.

    Because of this, pregnant people are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it's available.

    While there is limited evidence on how the COVID-19 vaccines may impact pregnant people, no adverse outcomes have been reported in clinical trials or in the vaccine roll out.

    Resources

  • COVID Care Teams

    We are working with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton to access local agencies and organizations to provide on-the-ground support to communities experiencing a high number of cases of COVID-19, compared to other areas across the province.

    Residents in these communities may face barriers that could contribute to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission:

    • employment in public-facing, higher risk jobs – for example, front-line health care, maintenance, transportation
    • live in higher density, multi-family or multi-generational homes
    • are a newcomer to Alberta and may not have supports in place
    • have English language barriers
    • earn a lower than average income

    To help address these barriers, COVID Care Teams will:

    • distribute care packages with masks, sanitizers and translated resources
    • refer people to 811 for additional information in multiple languages
    • inform residents of the nearest COVID-19 assessment and testing centres
    • connect people to transportation to COVID-19 testing facilities, if needed
    • refer people to AHS for self-isolation options for people unable to safely do so at home
    • provide information about financial supports for people who need to isolate

    Isolation supports

    Upon referral by AHS, free hotel rooms and financial support are available to all Albertans who must isolate due to COVID-19 but cannot do so in their own homes. Call 211 for more information.

    News

Chief medical officer updates

The last regularly scheduled update from Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, was on June 29, 2021. Future updates will be provided only when required.

News

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