There was no press conference today for the daily provincial COVID-19 update but the latest numbers were released all the same.

Active cases across Alberta continue to rise, with a provincial active case total of 7,975. When Phase 2 of "A Path Foward" first began on March 8th, the province sat at just under 4,500 active cases.

Of the 7,975 active cases Alberta currenly has, approximately 2,376 of them are variants of concern. The hefty majority of the variant cases are the variant of concern first identified in the United Kingdom.

Hospitalizations also rose, with 301 Albertans now in the hospital due to COVID-19. There are 58 people in intensive care.

Alberta Health Services breaks the cases up into zones, with the Calgary Zone having the most active cases at 3,772. The Edmonton Zone, which has the second-highest active case count, has 1,762. 

Right now, in Airdrie, there are 208 active cases of COVID-19. Yesterday, there were 148.

Cases rose slightly in Rocky View County, which now has 97 active cases compared to yesterdays 91.

As far as vaccinations go, Phase 2B officially began yesterday for any Albertans born before 1963, as well as Albertans with underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to severe outcomes due to COVID-19. 

Then, starting April 5th, any Albertan born before 1959 will be eligible to book a vaccination appointment. 

To see all the elegible health conditions CLICK HERE.

A doctor’s or pharmacist’s note is not required to confirm an underlying health condition to get the vaccine. However, you may want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to help you understand if your condition is on this list.

Albertans can book an appointment at participating pharmacies in Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer. According to Alberta Health Services, more pharmacies in more cities will be added to the participating list in the coming weeks.