Premier Jason Kenney, recently appointed Health Minister Jason Copping, Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange, and Cheif Medical Officer of Health Doctor Deena Hinshaw all joined forces to address Albertans on the current state of COVID-19 in the province and how it's being handled.

Jason Kenney took to the podium first, saying Alberta's healthcare system continues to be greatly pressured by the 4th wave of COVID-19.

"Right now Alberta's ICU beds are at 82% capacity," says Kenney, "Without significant measures to increase capacity, we would've run out of beds weeks ago."

According to Kenney, public health measures put in place several weeks ago seem to be having a positive impact and active COVID cases appear to be declining. However, one place that needs more attention, is schools.

LaGrange elaborated further on what is changing in Alberta schools to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the hallways.

  • Initiating close-contact notification across schools in a phased approach beginning October 12.
  • Alberta Health will publically report the name of each school with at least 2 COVID cases beginning October 6. The name's of the schools will be available online.
  • In Kindergarten to grade 6, targeted rapid test programs of schools with outbreaks of 10 or more cases. Every student, parent, and staff member of these schools may access a rapid test for free.
  • Strongly encouraging school authorities to implement mandatory vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test for all school staff. This would not include students.

"This 4th wave has been challenging." says LaGrange, "Especially for children aged 5 to 11 who aren't eligible for the COVID vaccine. We're in a very different situation than we were a few months ago."

Alongside these in-school changes, the province will be expanding its vaccine rollout for third doses.

Effective October 6 at 8 am, all Albertans who are 75 or older and all First Nations, Inuit, and Metis People age 65 and older will be eligible to book appointments to get s 3rd booster dose of the COVID vaccine.

For those who aren't immunocompromised or in the age group eligible for a 3rd shot, a booster is not necessary.

As for Thanksgiving, one of the most gathering-oriented holidays of the year, Kenney says Alberta can't afford the same outcome as it had in 2020, which was a significant spike in new COVID-19 cases.

"My message is simple. Please follow the rules in place. No indoor social gatherings outside of your household for those unvaccinated. For those who are vaccinated, indoor social gatherings are limited to 2 households and are to be no larger than 10 people. Also, we are limiting the number of those who can gather outdoors from 200 to 20."

According to Dr. Hinshaw, these are the latest COVID-19 numbers for Alberta:

In the past 24 hours, Alberta Health Services identified 663 new cases of COVID, bringing the total number of active COVID cases in Alberta to 19,456. There are1,094 in the hospital due to COVID and 252 in intensive care. There have been 26 new reported deaths.

Active COVID-19 cases in The City of Airdrie is 352. 

There are 148 active COVID-19 cases in Rocky View County.