50% of Albertans over 12 vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 877 new cases identified

EDMONTON — Alberta identified 877 new cases of COVID-19 on 8,100 tests completed, giving the province a positivity rate of 10.8 per cent over the last day.

There are currently 20,013 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta.

The new cases come as the province hits a milestone in its vaccine rollout, with 50 per cent of those over the age of 12 having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

WATCH: Dr. Deena Hinshaw provides the latest update on COVID-19 in Alberta.

To date, the province has administered more than 2.24 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Hinshaw addressed those who are wondering about their second dose and when they can get it.

She says those who are immuno-compromised will be able to get theirs three to four weeks after the first, while all other Albertans will be waiting somewhere between three to four months.

As for the rest of Tuesday’s numbers, Hinshaw says there are now 691 people in hospital with COVID-19, with 187 people now in the ICU.

An additional four deaths were reported.

NEW:

– 877 new COVID cases in Alberta on 8100 tests (10.8%)
– 691 in hospital (+13), 187 in ICU (+6)
– 4 new deaths #yeG #yyc #ableg #covid19ab

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) May 18, 2021

After Alberta Education said students in Alberta would be returning to in-person learning after the long weekend, Hinshaw said the decision was based on educational considerations, and she doesn’t believe there is a public health risk to bring them back.

RELATED: Students to go back to in-person learning after long weekend

When asked, as a parent, if she feels comfortable sending her kids back to class.

“Absolutely, yes.”