Officials including Premier Kenney, Health Minister Copping, and Dr. Hinshaw took to the podium today (Wednesday, November 3). The COVID-19 update contained a thank-you to Albertans for bending the curve, encouraging numbers, and an expansion to the parameters of the vaccination program.

Premier Kenney said, “We’re now about three weeks out from Thanksgiving and have seen no evidence of a Thanksgiving spike. I would like to thank all Albertans for doing their part in protecting each other and our healthcare system.”

Dr. Hinshaw spoke about the fourth wave saying, “Throughout the month of October, we have seen a sharp decline in our cases across the province and across Albertans of all ages. We have passed the peak of the fourth wave thanks to the targeted public health measures we have in place and our rising immunization rates as more Albertans choose to be immunized.”

It was announced that starting Monday, November 8th the parameters for those eligible for a third, booster shot of the COVID vaccine will be expanded. Those included in the expansion will be:

  • All Albertans aged 70 and older
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) people aged 18 and older
  • Front-line healthcare workers who received their first two doses less than eight weeks apart
  • Albertans who received two doses of AstraZeneca or one dose of Jansen while abroad

Those who are eligible will be able to book appointments starting Monday online with AHS, through participating pharmacies by using the Alberta vaccine booking system. Albertans can also call 811, participating pharmacies, or participating physicians’ offices.

Individuals aged 18 and older who live on a First Nations reserve will be able to access third doses through public health clinics or nursing stations on-reserve.

Health Minister Copping spoke of the pressure beginning to ease on the healthcare system saying, “I am very grateful to hear that cancer surgeries have fully resumed, no more cancer surgeries are being postponed due to COVID related capacity restraint.”

The COVID numbers for Wednesday were as follows:

  • There were 487 new cases reported in the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 4.8 per cent
  • There are 697 people in hospital with 155 in ICU
  • Sadly, 14 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 3,133
  • Cochrane’s active cases are at 73 and Rocky View County has 69
  • There are outbreaks or alerts in 184 schools in the province
  •  Fireside School has an outbreak status of 10+ cases
  •  Cochrane High School, Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School, and  Manachaban Middle School are on alert with 2-4 cases