Latest COVID-19 numbers show over 21,700 Albertans fully immunized

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – In her latest COVID-19 update for the province, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw confirmed that more than 21,700 Albertans are now fully immunized against the virus.

She said more than 112,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered and they are closely following each dose to see if there are any serious reactions.

Out of all those doses, only 53 adverse events have been recorded, 11 of which were related to allergies.

The most common side-effects include vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes and rashes.

Hinshaw said that due to a technical issue, 6,000 lab results were not included during Wednesday’s update, so they added the total to Thursday’s number.

There were 421 cases identified in the last 24 hours — 582 in total with the added numbers from yesterday — and 13 more deaths.

Hinshaw said we should remember that the numbers signify real Albertans.

NEW:

– 421 COVID cases identified in past 24 hours on 11500 tests (3.6%+)
– 517 in hospital, 93 in ICU
– 13 new deaths reported, now up 1684#yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) February 4, 2021

“We can forget that these numbers represent human lives lost.”

However, she adds hospitalization numbers continue to fall, now with 517 in hospital and 93 in ICU.

The province’s positivity rate is at 3.6 per cent.

However, she said they have detected 68 variant cases of COVID-19, with 11 U.K. variants with no known link to travel.

Alberta now up to 68 variant cases. 11 new cases are the U.K. strain. Seven have no link to travel and there are two exposures in school

— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) February 4, 2021

Two of the new cases, which are travel-related, exposed two additional schools in the Calgary Zone.

Those who have been in contact with the two cases are already quarantining.

Hinshaw says there is no set number of variant cases that could change relaunch, adding overall number is small.

Says interventions in place are working to keep newly identified cases from spreading. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) February 4, 2021

Hinshaw adds that AHS has been getting reports of scams looking to take advantage of Alberta’s short COVID-19 vaccine supply.

She warns that some Albertans over the age of 75 have been getting phone calls that offer COVID-19 immunization for a fee.

She said this would never happen.

“When we do, the vaccine will be free of charge. Neither AHS nor any other community provider will ever be asking for payment for the vaccine.”