Alberta to keep a close eye on arising COVID-19 BA.2 variant

Lately, Alberta has seen a slight increase in COVID-19 cases.

From Mar. 22 to Mar. 30, the average positivity rate was 24.5 per cent, this is an increase from 22 per cent a week prior.

Wastewater surveillance is showing rising rates in several areas, including #YYC and #YEG. This is not unexpected given the lifting of measures. We will continue to monitor the data closely, knowing these measurements can vary. (5/6)

— Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (@CMOH_Alberta) March 30, 2022

Estimated COVID-19 case numbers provided by the province on Mar. 28 show 964 people were in the hospital with the virus. The update also said there were 578 active new cases in Alberta, as well as 47 people in the ICU.

Health Minister Jason Copping says we will have to wait and see if we’re entering the sixth wave and what impact it will have on our healthcare system.

“We look at other jurisdictions around the world and across the country, we have seen an increase in BA.2 and an increase in cases. What remains to be seen is how big that wave will be and what the impact will be on our healthcare system,” says Copping.

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Hospitalizations increased by eight to 964, ICU admission declined by nine to 47.

Copping says wastewater data has been rising in Calgary and they continue to monitor the situation.

“Our wastewater data is one of the leading indicators we are seeing a slight uptake in Calgary and Edmonton but there’s high variability in that so we’re going to have to watch in the following days and weeks to see if it’s going to continue to rise,” says Copping.

An additional 30 deaths were also reported to Alberta health.