No lockdown coming for Alberta: sources

CALGARY – Following a lot of speculation about Alberta going into a lockdown on Monday, government sources say there’s zero chance of it.

Premier Jason Kenney held a COVID-19 update Thursday afternoon and despite wide-scale speculation swirling on social media, no restrictions were announced.

Same sources tell me Kenney isn't expected to make any announcements until Sat to unveil last part of SW Ring Road. Copping may be out Thurs/Fri to talk additional health-care system supports. Nothing about lockdowns planned as of now. #COVID19AB #yeg #yyc #Calgary #ableg #abpoli

— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) September 30, 2021

Several medical professionals have called on the Alberta government to introduce stricter COVID-19 measures or do a circuit-breaker lockdown to help curb the spread of the virus.

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Earlier this week, dozens of ICU doctors with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) addressed a letter to the people, detailing the strain on them and saying measures being taken so far will not immediately solve the problem.

The doctors say the quality of care continues to diminish as the stress increases, and they call for additional public health measures to be put in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Canadian Medical Association said Wednesday that Alberta’s health system was crumbling and the province should go into lockdown to take some pressure off the health-care system.

Dr. Katharine Smart, president of the national association, is urging the federal and provincial governments to take immediate action.

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• Alberta doctors warn of health system collapse, plead for more COVID restrictions

• ‘State of crisis:’ Medical group calls for lockdowns in Alberta, Saskatchewan

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Smart says it’s time for “courageous action” and politics must be put to the side to allow for collaboration between levels of government.

“We are now witnessing an unprecedented health-care crisis in Alberta and Saskatchewan and patients and health workers are experiencing unfathomable choices and consequences,” Smart said in a statement Wednesday.

“Early relaxation of public health measures has left two crumbling health-care systems in their wake and the dire realities are now in full view.”

Kenney has rejected calls for lockdowns in recent days, saying harsher health measures would only punish the vaccinated.

-with files from the Canadian Press