Alberta doctors calling for stricter COVID-19 health measures

EDMONTON – The Alberta Medical Association is calling on the province to reinstate stricter public health measures in light of exploding COVID-19 hospitalizations.

The group that represents Alberta doctors says immediate action is needed given the sharp rise in patients in hospital and intensive care.

As of Monday, 202 people were in the province’s ICUs with COVID-19, the most ever since the start of the pandemic.

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The AMA says the measures announced Sept. 3–shutting down alcohol sales in bars at 10 p.m. and mandating indoor masks–won’t have the kind of impact that is needed.

The doctors say all options should be on the table including vaccine passports.

…to have the kind of impact that is needed and we cannot afford to wait. Increasing vaccination rates is critical, but won’t prevent the course of this current wave fast enough. All options need to be on the table, including vaccine passports. 2/2

— Alberta Medical Association (AMA) (@Albertadoctors) September 14, 2021

The call comes a day after 65 of Alberta’s infectious disease doctors wrote a letter to the Kenney government urging it to impose stronger measures, including a vaccine passport.

The AMA president has also called for a vaccine passport system to be introduced in Alberta.

The province announced a vaccine proof card and QR code Tuesday, but has routinely ignored calls for a vaccine passport.