Authorities made several announcements on Tuesday, October 5 in an attempt to ramp up the fight against the 4th COVID-19 wave. Measures entail increased vaccination for the most vulnerable, rapid tests and reporting in schools, and the continuation of the most recent protocols. All in ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Approaching the second Thanksgiving of the pandemic, history shows that Alberta saw a spike in cases following Thanksgiving last year. This year authorities say the hospitals cannot handle another spike.

To combat the rising COVID-19 cases in children, particularly in areas where there are low vaccination rates, schools in the province are expanding rapid testing and contact tracing. The contact notification will begin after Thanksgiving on October 12 for school-based exposures only. Starting tomorrow, reporting of schools with cases online will begin to see if schools have cases once two or more cases are reported. Outbreaks will be reported with 10 or more cases. At home rapid testing will be made available. Proof of vaccination in schools is strongly recommended for adults in schools.

Health Minister Copping says, “Enhanced reporting, rapid testing, and contact notification in schools helps protect students, provides more information for parents, and enables schools and public health teams to limit the impact of COVID-19 on student learning. It reminds us to keep reaching out to our fellow Albertans to protect our friends, neighbours, and children by getting vaccinated.”

Acting on the recommendations of the Alberta Advisory Committee on Immunization, starting tomorrow, expanding immunization to most vulnerable groups, anyone 75 and older who received vaccination at least six months ago will be eligible for a 3rd booster shot. Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit will also be able to access a third COVID vaccine dose. Evidence suggests that this move is necessary to protect the most vulnerable. Health Minister Copping says, “We know that COVID-19 can be especially dangerous for our older populations and continue to do everything we can to keep them safe. Over three-quarters of eligible Albertans are now fully immunized. I encourage everyone to think of their family, friends, and neighbours and get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.”

For the first time in a while under 1,000 cases were reported on Tuesday, October 5.

There were 663 new cases reported in the past 24 hours with a positivity rate of 8.8 per cent.

There are 1,094 people in hospital and 252 in ICU.

The death toll remains high with 26 deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

Vaccination uptake has increased with 84.5 per cent of the population now having received one shot of vaccine while 75.1 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.  Health Minister Copping says, “The gap is much larger in second doses, that means there’s a big pool of people who have already made the decision to get vaccinated but haven’t followed through with that second dose. We need them to do that.” Alberta Health Services will be working with pharmacies to make sure that people are reminded to get the second shot.