There was a lot to digest in today's (December 22) COVID-19 update by the province which was attended by Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Tyler Shandro, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.  

Kenney announced that the Cabinet Covid Committee, based upon the advice of Shandro with input from Dr. Hinshaw, had made some changes to the public health restrictions that were in place to allow single Albertans the chance to enjoy the holidays with loved ones in a safe way.

"Between December 23rd and December 28th, single Albertans may attend one event at another household.  During that same time, households may host up to two single people for an event."

Kenney reiterated that the prohibition around large social gatherings remains in effect over Christmas.  "I regret that we could not make broader exemptions for holiday gatherings."

The other piece of news that Premier Kenney and Health Minister Shandro passed along was that a second shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine had arrived in the province with 25,350 doses to be delivered to vaccine sites around Alberta.

Calgary and Edmonton will each receive 6,825 doses while Red Deer is set to receive 1,950.  The remaining 9,750 doses will be distributed to vaccine sites located in Brooks, Camrose, Drumheller, Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek, and St. Albert with each community getting 975 doses.

As of yesterday, 3,074 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Alberta and none have reportedly resulted in any adverse effects.  

Shandro then announced that the government had listened to concerns from massage therapy patients that the current restrictions had stopped Albertans from accessing those services to alleviate chronic pain.  Shandro says they have worked with Dr. Hinshaw to allow an exemption for patients with either a prescription from a physician or a referral from another regulated health professional.  

On top of all the other news delivered during the update, the COVID stats also came through and, for the most part, looked promising in the province.

1,021 new cases were identified, one of the lowest totals in Alberta in weeks.  That brings the total number of active cases down to 18,311.  14,199 tests were conducted making for a positivity rate of 7.2 percent.  

Alberta reported 11 more deaths bringing the provincial total to 871.  802 people are now in hospital and 152 are being treated in ICUs.  

In Airdrie, the actives cases fell by 20 from yesterday and are now at 254.  1,138 people have recovered and eight have died bringing our overall case count to exactly 1,400.  

In Rocky View County active cases also fell to 95.  524 people have recovered and one has died.  

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