Alberta reports 770 COVID-19 cases, gradual return of surgeries and procedures begins

Alberta reported 770 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday as pressure on the health care system starts to ease.

Alberta reported 770 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday as pressure on the health care system starts to ease.

According to Alberta Health, the provincial positivity rate is approximately 6.5 per cent, after about 11,800 tests were completed. There are currently 10,434 active cases of COVID-19.

There 912 Albertans in hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19, including 201 in ICUs.

“We continue to see these numbers declining, but it's important to remember that this takes time and this trend could reverse quickly if we are not careful,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

Hinshaw said the majority of Albertans who end up in hospital, need to be admitted to the ICU, or die from the disease continue to be unvaccinated.

Across the province, there are active alerts or outbreaks at 288 schools. Hinshaw said that at four of those schools, there were more than 10 cases of COVID-19 reported after individuals with COVID-19 while infectious attended.

Eight more deaths were reported Thursday, raising the provincial total to 3,014. The deaths ranged in age from people in their 30s to over 80.