According to data given by the province on Wednesday, COVID hospitalizations in Alberta have plateaued for the first time since mid-September.
The province reported 1,095 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of November 1 — a reduction of 23 from the previous week. COVID-related ICU cases were also down to 24, four less than the previous week.
The provincial ICU capacity was 80% on Wednesday, according to AHS data.
COVID-19 is believed to have killed 36 Albertans in the past week, bringing the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 5,047. Two Albertans died, one between the ages of 40 and 49, and one between the ages of 30 and 39.
In the province, the average seven-day positive rate for PCR tests decreased by more than one-tenth, to 16.64 percent. In addition, despite no apparent decline in testing volume, the number of new cases reported in the previous week decreased by a further tenth to 1,323.
The only Albertans who are qualified for PCR tests are those who have clinical COVID-19 risk criteria or who work or reside in high-risk environments.
Throughout the fall, Edmonton zone hospitals will continue to battle with a large number of COVID-19 outbreaks, but this week, outbreaks were declared at two Calgary zone hospitals.
When two patients tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday, the High River Public Health Centre declared an outbreak.
Additionally, outbreaks were reported in two wards of Calgary’s Rockyview General Hospital on Tuesday after four and six healthcare workers, respectively, tested positive for COVID-19.
Seven Edmonton Zone hospitals still have COVID outbreaks in units: the Alberta Hospital Edmonton, the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, the Leduc Community Hospital, the Misericordia Community Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
When a total of 13 patients tested positive on October 27 and 28, the Royal Alex had outbreaks declared on four units within the previous week.
Additionally, an outbreak on a unit at the University of Alberta Hospital was deemed to be under control on Wednesday.
A COVID-19 outbreak is declared in a hospital or acute care setting when it’s determined the virus has been transmitted to at least one person..
Alberta COVID hospitalizations’ upward trend slows
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