Hospitals 'under strain' as Alberta reports another record high in admissions

Alberta reported 1,377 people are in hospital with COVID-19 on Tuesday, an increase of 30 per cent over the past week, according to the health minister.

Alberta reported 1,377 people are in hospital with COVID-19 on Tuesday, an increase of 30 per cent over the past week, according to the health minister.

There are currently 51,157 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, but because of PCR test eligibility restrictions, the real number is higher, added Jason Copping. There were 2,722 new cases reported Tuesday, after 6,718 tests.

The province is testing wastewater to help track COVID-19 infections and that data is showing the number of infections appear to be dropping in some places, like Edmonton.

The average positivity rate is sitting at 43 per cent and has not risen since Jan. 6, added Copping.

“Taken together, these are positive signs that cases and new transmissions may be slowing, however, even though there are early indications that numbers are coming down, our hospitalizations are continuing to increase,” said Copping.

A drop in hospital admissions is expected to occur in the next few weeks, a trend which happened in previous waves, according to Copping.

“It means, I hope, we’re at a turning point in the current wave and we can start to see the end of it,” added Copping. “But make no mistake, the coming weeks are going to be the toughest yet.