Provincial Press Release April 13, 2021 @ 5:25
More than 1.7 million Albertans are now eligible for a vaccine, and walk-in bookings for Astra Zeneca are available in Calgary and Edmonton for those aged 55 to 64. Follow all public health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health-care system.
Latest updates
Over the last 24 hours, 1,081 new cases were identified.
There are 402 people in hospital due to COVID-19, including 88 in intensive care.
There are 15,087 active cases in the province.
To date, 146,011 Albertans have recovered from COVID-19.
In the last 24 hours, there were three additional COVID-related deaths reported: one on March 25, one on April 11, and one on April 12.
The testing positivity rate was 8.9 per cent.
There was an increase of 11,965 tests (3,873,417 total) for a total of 1,956,567 people tested.
All zones across the province have cases:
Calgary Zone: 6,938 active cases and 56,680 recovered
South Zone: 936 active cases and 7,984 recovered
Edmonton Zone: 3,717 active cases and 55,938 recovered
North Zone: 2,005 active cases and 13,865 recovered
Central Zone: 1,346 active cases and 11,420 recovered
145 active cases and 124 recovered cases in zones to be confirmed
Additional information, including case totals, is online.
Alberta has identified 705 additional cases of variants of concern, bringing the provincial total to 12,154.
Currently, 453 schools, about 19 per cent, are on alert or have outbreaks, with 2,653 cases in total.
272 schools are on alert, with 610 total cases.
Outbreaks are declared in 181 schools, with a total of 2,043 cases.
In-school transmission has likely occurred in 399 schools. Of these, 163 have had only one new case occur as a result.
There are currently 106 active and 9,204 recovered cases at long-term care facilities and supportive/home living sites.
To date, 1,239 of the 2,021 reported deaths (61 per cent) have been in long-term care facilities or supportive/home living sites.
New restrictions
Additional restrictions are in place to bend the curve of new COVID-19 infections.
Updated mandatory health measures are in effect for retail, fitness and performance activities.
Restaurants are restricted to providing only takeout, delivery and patio service.
COVID-19 vaccination program
As of April 12, 970,272 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Alberta. This is 21,703 doses per 100,000 population. There are now 186,156 Albertans fully vaccinated with two doses.
Starting April 13, participating pharmacies in Edmonton and Calgary have started to allow walk-in bookings for immunizations with the AstraZeneca vaccine for those aged 55 to 64. Appointments remain available.
Eligible health-care workers in Phase 2C and everyone eligible in Phase 2B can book their appointment through AHS or a participating pharmacy.
More than 250 pharmacies now offer immunizations, with further expansions by the end of the month.
Community physicians will offer vaccinations in their clinics starting later in April.
Alberta’s phased approach to vaccination focuses first on priority health-care workers and those who are at highest risk of severe outcomes.
Schools
Rapid testing is being offered at two Calgary high schools to more than 3,000 students:
Robert Thirsk High School, as of April 8
Ernest Manning High School, as of April 12
A total of 952 tests were administered at the two Calgary schools that took part in the rapid testing pilot in March: Rundle School and St. John XXIII School.
There were two preliminary positive results out of the 952 screening tests completed March 18-29. Rapid tests must be confirmed with an additional test at an Alberta Health Services assessment centre.
Rapid tests will soon be available to additional schools across Alberta.
Strong public health measures remain in place to support the health and safety of students, teachers and staff.
COVID Care Teams outreach
If you or others in your home have been directed to self-isolate/quarantine by Alberta Health Services and are unable to do so safely at home, please contact 211 to discuss options, including accessing an assigned hotel to safely isolate (free of charge). Financial assistance may also be available in the amount of $625, upon completion of the self-isolation period.
Enforcement of public health measures
The government has granted certain Alberta peace officers and community peace officers temporary authority to enforce public health orders.
Not following mandatory restrictions will result in fines of $1,000 per ticketed offence and up to $100,000 through the courts.
All Albertans are encouraged to download the secure ABTraceTogether app, which is integrated with provincial contact tracing. The federal app is not a contact tracing app.
Secure contact tracing is an effective tool to stop the spread by notifying people who were exposed to a confirmed case so they can isolate and be tested.
As of April 13, 312,418 Albertans were using the ABTraceTogether app, 69 per cent on iOS and 31 per cent on Android.
Secure contact tracing is a cornerstone of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy.
MyHealth Records quick access
Parents and guardians can access the COVID-19 test results for children under the age of 18 through MyHealth Records (MHR) as soon as they are ready.
More than 500,000 Albertans have MHR accounts.
Influenza immunization
All Albertans, especially seniors and those at risk, are encouraged to get immunized against influenza.
To date, 1,619,310 Albertans have received their flu shot.
Addiction and mental health supports
Confidential supports are available. The Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Resources are also available online.
The Kids Help Phone is available 24-7 and offers professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people by texting CONNECT to 686868.
Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.
Family violence prevention
A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line at 310-1818 provides anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
People fleeing family violence can call local police or the nearest RCMP detachment to apply for an Emergency Protection Order, or follow the steps in the Emergency Protection Orders Telephone Applications (COVID-19).
Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are at alberta.ca/COVID19.
Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health-care system.
Quick facts
Legally, all Albertans must physically distance and isolate when sick or with symptoms.
Good hygiene is your best protection: wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into an elbow or sleeve, and dispose of tissues appropriately.
Please share acts of kindness during this difficult time at #AlbertaCares.
Alberta Connects Contact Centre (310-4455) is open Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.