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Volume 113, Issue 40
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
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Further restrictions ahead Alberta re-enters Phase 1 as third wave of pandemic moves forward; variants surging Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Premier Jason Kenney made an announcement Tuesday, April 6 that effective midnight, the province will move back into the first phase of restrictions, bringing some minor changes. “These new measures are not an easy announcement or a step taken lightly,” Kenney said. He said the recent surge in new cases, averaging 1,000 per day, from just 100 per day three weeks ago, especially with 676 of those identified as variant cases; over half of the new cases, and 40 per cent of active cases overall. “This is not made up,” Kenney said. He demonstrated that variants are more lethal than the original strain of the virus, adding, “and that’s not my opinion, that is based on fact.” Total active cases in the province are up 27 per cent in one week. Kenney relayed information about one
case of the P-1 variant that spread to 35 people, causing one death and two hospitalizations. “Of the people who contract COVID19 today, five per cent or more will end up in hospital. We expect to see 1,000 COVID patients in hospital by month end.” Kenney said these types of trends, unchecked, threaten the maximum capacity of Alberta’s health care system. Kenney said, “We can only do this together to prevent a prolonged situation.” Kenney said that new financial assistance packages are in the works, with details to be announced soon. “Some will disagree with this decision,” Kenney said, “and I welcome that, and welcome the debate. I just ask that debate be informed by facts.” He added that he is concerned over the polarization of views on the virus, from those who believe the Province should be on hard lockdowns to those who believe that the threats from COVID-19 have
been ‘massively exaggerated.’ “Government cannot ignore science, we cannot dismiss medical advice, and we cannot ignore the numbers. As premier, I cannot in good conscience ignore the evidence and opt for policy that could result in hundreds of preventable deaths, of huge impacts to our hospitals, being flooded, and other critical health procedures being put at risk. “I cannot and will not do that.” Kenney said last week he’d said if we just stuck to our guns, we could look forward to the best summer ever, and Tuesday said he still felt that to be true. Lifting of restrictions will now be made based on the percentage of Alberta’s population being protected. Kenney said about one-quarter of all Albertans had now developed immunity, either through having the virus or receiving a vaccination, with 48 per cent expected by May, 64 per cent by June, and 72 per cent by mid-September. “The path to recovery is now based on
vaccination immunity.” Kenney announced that the Phase 2B rollout, to Albertans with underlying conditions, is now being expanded to everyone age 16 or older, those born from 1974 to 2005. He announced that the province had received a new batch of AstraZeneca vaccines that will be made available to anyone age 55 through 64. The province is now developing seven new rapid-flow vaccination clinics, and will be allowing some participating pharmacies to allow walk-in bookings. “We are well positioned to offer every adult Albertans a first dose by June.” Health Minister Tyler Shandro went into more detail about the new restrictions. Effective Friday, April 9, at noon, all restaurants will be closed for indoor, inperson dining.Take out and delivery is still allowed, and outdoor patio dining will be allowed with restrictions. See PANDEMIC P2
SEAN SHEEDY PHOTO
Sean Sheedy of Sedgewick has been out and about the Flagstaff County countryside over the past few weeks capturing the views that mark the start of spring. Above, a muskrat appears to be as happy to see one of the first hints of green as the rest of us.