Alberta COVID infections jump for second straight day, numbers updates on pause for holidays

Ahead of Christmas weekend, Alberta’s top doctor says the province will be taking a break from providing numbers updates until after the holidays.

During a live update on Thursday, Dr. Deena Hinsahw said, in an effort to give staff a well-needed break, there will be no COVID data released until Dec. 28.

“We will post our usual detailed data online on the 29th of December, including a daily breakdown of case numbers from December 24th to December 28th,” explained Hinsahw. “We will provide another detailed daily breakdown of cases following the holiday break on January 4th, and every weekday thereafter.”

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

Hinshaw says she will also be providing two live updates next week. One on Dec. 28 and then again on Dec. 30.

As for Thursday’s COVID-19 update, Alberta identified 1,625 new cases of COVID-19 on nearly 12,000 tests for a positivity rate of around 13.6 per cent.

There are now 8,359 active infections in Alberta — an increase of 1,294 from Wednesday.

Meanwhile, there are now 318 people in hospital with COVID-19, 64 of which are in the ICU.

Hinshaw also reporting on Thursday no new deaths have been reported to Alberta Health over the last day.

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Vaccination bookings have also seen a large jump over the last few days.

“As of [Wednesday] evening, 196,391 booster doses have been booked since we expanded to age 18 and older,” said Hinshaw.

Alberta changes recommendation for rapid test usage

Hinshaw says, going forward, the province is adjusting its recommendation for rapid test usage to conserve testing capacity.

She says she now recommends only people with COVID-19 symptoms should use the rapid tests.

“If you are symptomatic and have access to a rapid testing kit, we encourage you to use that test instead of going for a PCR test,” explained Hinshaw.

“If you test positive and have symptoms, consider that as confirmation that you have COVID-19. Please isolate and notify your close contacts. If you test negative and have symptoms, you should stay in isolation and repeat another rapid test 24 to 48 hours later.”

Hinshaw says the exception to this would be if a person lives or works in a high priority setting.

“I ask that if anyone has a PCR test booked right now to follow up on a positive rapid test. Please cancel it to free up space for others unless you meet the high-risk criteria.”