Inter-provincial travel discouraged for spring break as Alberta records 50 new cases of B.1.1.7 variant
Posted Mar 17, 2021 4:19 pm.
Last Updated Mar 17, 2021 4:30 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The province has confirmed 50 new variant cases over the past 24 hours, which includes 479 new cases of COVID-19.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw says variant cases, most specifically the B.1.1.7 variant, is being traced back to community spread.
“The B.1.1.7 variant is spreading in many different contacts and many different settings,” she said. “We’re seeing higher attack rates than we typically do in settings where people are exposed.”
Hinshaw says they have seen instances of variant cases with people *outside* where there was no distancing or masks. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 17, 2021
This comes as the province has seen a concerning uptick in variant cases over the last two weeks.
WATCH: Dr. Deena Hinshaw provides update on COVID-19 in Alberta
Four additional deaths were recorded on Wednesday. With 262 people now in hospital, and 44 people remain in the ICU fighting COVID-19.
A subject initially brought up earlier in the week was questions about spring break and how people should approach it.
After saying camps would not be an option this year, Alberta’s top doctor is also discouraging any inter-provincial travel as the weather gets nicer and people get some time off.
“I strongly recommend against interprovincial travel for spring break, it’s clear that in many other provinces spread of COVID-19 and variant cases, in particular, are escalating and traveling at this time out of the province risks further escalating that kind of spread particularly as we in Alberta are seeing spread of variant cases,” said Dr. Hinshaw. “Internal to the province, if people are considering travelling I would recommend that, that travel be just with their household cohort or an individual with their two close contacts, that they not be staying in another individuals home.”
Hinshaw says please hold off on inter-provincial spring break travel.
In Alberta? She recommends staying close to home, and preferably outdoor gatherings with close contacts.
Says it's a very important time for Alberta to protect our communities. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 17, 2021
As for St. Patrick’s Day, Dr. Hinshaw is asking Albertans not to break the rules just to celebrate the day.
If you do have plans to go out, she is asking to, again, keep it to your household cohort.
Says if you are going to a restaurant today, follow the rules and only go with those in your household.
If you live alone, go only with your two designated close contacts.
This also applies to patios.
You can also gather up to ten people, but follow the protocols.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 17, 2021
On the vaccine front, the province has now administered more than 397,500 shots of vaccine.
Dr. Hinshaw says doses are still available and beginning Thursday, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will be opening appointments for Albertans born from 1952 to 1954, as well as First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people born from 1967 to 1969.
She prefaced that information by reminding everyone that the province is dealing with a supply chain that can change quickly without warning.
“This means that sometimes, there will be minor changes when unexpected events occur,” she said. “For example, a shipment of Moderna vaccine that was set to arrive in Alberta earlier this week was grounded outside the province due to mechanical issues on an airplane. As result, this has delayed shipments to 43 pharmacies which will get their vaccines a few days later than expected.”
