Thirty-five new cases of B.1.1.7 variant, two additional deaths reported in Alberta
Posted Mar 2, 2021 4:12 pm.
Last Updated Mar 2, 2021 6:36 pm.
EDMONTON (660NEWS) — Thirty-five new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been reported in Alberta, bringing the total variant cases identified in the province to 492.
The additional variant cases come as the province records 257 new cases of COVID-19.
WATCH: Health Minister Tyler Shandro joins Dr. Deena Hinshaw for provincial COVID-19 update
Two more people lost their fight with COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with 261 people now in hospital, and 54 in the Intensive Care Unit.
NEW:
– 257 new COVID cases in Alberta on 5864 tests (4.5%+)
– 35 new variant cases, now up to 492
– 261 in hospital (+4) 54 in ICU (+6)
– 2 new deaths reported, now at 1890
– 245K total doses, 88 thousand people fully immunized#yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 2, 2021
To date, 245,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been distributed in Alberta, with 88,000 Albertans now fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hinshaw wanted to make Albertans aware of some changes coming to the Alberta Health Services online immunization booking tool.
Upgrades will be coming to the website that will cause the site to be unavailable from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.
READ MORE: Alberta students, NDP calling for changes to 2021 budget
The upgrades will improve capacity on the site so more Albertans will be able to access an effective and fluent system that will help them get closer to getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Prior to the update, Health Minister Tyler Shandro took to the stand to clarify some confusion regarding fitness centres and activities made on Monday.
Minister Shandro clears air on restriction changes.
Says if you operate a gym, you can be open.
Adds that low intensity solo and group fitness will be allowed indoors at any time, pending appointment. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/jnuB8XoqvE
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 2, 2021
The confusion largely centres around the distinction between low and high-intensity workouts, as low-intensity activities are allowed under the changed restrictions but high-intensity activities can only be done one-on-one with a trainer. However, what exactly constitutes a high-intensity workout could differ for each person.
RELATED: Province offers clarity after confusion on gym activities
Shandro clarified a high-intensity workout would be an exercise where you would breath harder than you normally would and operators of the facility need to use their best judgement to determine what the activities in their spaces qualify as low-intensity vs. high-intensity.
