Check against delivery.
Thank you, Tom, and good afternoon everyone.
Unfortunately, due to a scheduling issue, we do not have sign language interpreters with us today.
They are an important part of communicating with Albertans and they will be back tomorrow.
A full transcript of my remarks will be posted online, as always.
Today, I would like to begin by talking about the COVID-19 vaccine. Specifically about safety.
Yesterday afternoon, the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered in Alberta.
It’s incredible to think that within a year of the virus being discovered, we already have a vaccine that’s 95% effective, and that it is already going into the arms of those caring for our long-term care residents and the sickest patients in our hospitals.
We will continue to immunize health care workers in Calgary and Edmonton this week.
When another 25,000 doses arrive next week, immunizations will expand to priority health care workers provincewide.
I know that anytime there is a new vaccine, it can cause anxiety and questions.
It’s important to remember that Canada has one of the most robust regulatory systems for new vaccines in the world.
Health Canada moved quickly, but no steps were skipped.
The same rigorous testing and scrutiny was applied to this vaccine as to any new treatment.
The ingredients inside it are only those needed to keep the vaccine stable and safe.
And a clinical trial with tens of thousands of participants from multiple countries found no safety concerns.
Health Canada is being cautious and making sure there is clear evidence of effectiveness and safety before offering vaccines to Canadians.
For example, that’s why it has not yet authorized the Pfizer vaccine for those under 16, as there are no trials complete in this age group yet.
Because this is a new vaccine, we will also be watching closely to ensure that, if any safety signals emerge, we will be able to detect them immediately.
Alberta will be working with all the other provinces and territories, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, to closely monitor for adverse events.
I believe the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks, and this vaccine will save lives.
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccination is the best defence against serious infections.
We are taking every precaution and acting on clear evidence showing this vaccine is safe for Albertans and it works.
When it is your turn, please get immunized.
It is an act of kindness – for yourself, for your loved ones, and for your community.
Turning to today’s case numbers, over the last 24 hours, we have identified 1,270 new cases of COVID-19, and completed more than 17,500 tests.
This means our positivity rate currently stands at about 7.3%.
There are 749 people in hospital, including 139 in the ICU.
AHS continues to take steps to increase capacity and expand the number of acute care and ICU beds that are available.
Some of these are new beds. And, in some cases, existing hospital spaces will be made available as patients are moved into continuing care beds in the community.
AHS is also working with the Canadian Red Cross to set up an Alternate Care Centre at the Butterdome, on the University of Alberta campus.
As you may recall, AHS used the Butterdome as an assessment centre earlier this spring, and a temporary structure has also been in place for months at the Peter Lougheed Centre.
It will take a few weeks to set up the care centre, which could add an additional 100 inpatient beds.
There is no plan to staff these beds unless they are needed.
This is a purely precautionary measure, for use if needed in the future.
Sadly, I must announced that 16 new deaths were reported to Alberta Health in the last 24 hours.
My thoughts are with those who are grieving the loss of these individuals.
Each death is a reminder that we must reduce the spread as quickly as possible.
It is a sobering statistic that, in less than 10 months, more Albertans have now died from COVID-19 than have died from influenza in the last 10 years combined.
Looking to schools, there are currently active alerts or outbreaks in 452 schools, or about 19% of schools in the province.
Currently these schools have a combined total of 1,964 cases.
Speaking of young Albertans, as you know, last week we announce a new advertising campaign that is targeted primarily at those under the age of 40.
In no way are young people the sole cause of the rise in cases that we are seeing.
However, this virus affects all of us, no matter our age.
Today, I want to remind anyone who is in the 20 to 40 age range that this virus impacts you.
In Alberta, to date:
- More than 32,000 people between the ages of 20 and 39 have contracted COVID-19.
- More than 380 of them have been hospitalized.
- And, sadly, 8 of these have died.
To put this in perspective, if you gathered every Albertan between the ages of 20 and 39 who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they would fill the Saddledome in Calgary, the Centrium in Red Deer and the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge.
This virus does not discriminate and it can have long term and potentially devastating impacts on all of our health.
No one of any age can take COVID-19 lightly.
I know it is hard, but for everyone of every age, including those between age 20 and 39, it is vital to avoid in-person interactions whenever possible.
This includes not having holiday parties or other gatherings in our homes.
Instead, we must all look for ways to connect virtually like the Bridges Church women’s group in Calgary.
Last week, 60 members of this group participated in a Zoom holiday celebration.
This online party included an inspirational speaker and virtual tours of six people’s homes so that others could see their impressive holiday décor.
There were even door prizes that volunteers delivered right to the winners’ doorsteps.
Events like this make me hopeful.
They are proof that it’s possible to connect and have fun while following the rules and staying safe.
We are all protecting each other, and the sacrifices we make in the coming weeks will help determine what the New Year brings.
Thank you and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.