Albertans wondering if they have COVID-19, flu or RSV have a new tool they can turn to.
AHS announced Wednesday that an updated respiratory disease tool has appeared on the AHS website.
“This resource is an example of the steps AHS is taking to ensure that the guidance we provide to adults and parents reflects the current reality of the mix of viruses this respiratory illness season,” said AHS Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kristin Klein said in a statement.
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The online assessment was previously used to help Albertans book PCR tests for COVID. In January, the province limited the molecular tests to those with severe clinical risk or who live and/or work in high-risk environments.
AHS says the online COVID assessment tool has been accessed at least 15 million times.
The new tool designed to address the viruses involved in what has been nicknamed the “tripledemic” will help guide people to the best care options for their symptoms, ranging from self-care at home to seeking from care from a GP to urgent care or emergency departments.
“This is another tool, in addition to other available resources such as the HEAL website, to help you know your options and use appropriate care, whether at home or elsewhere,” said Dr. Klein said. “Most of all, however, we strongly encourage all Albertans to get immunized against the flu and COVID-19 this season, stay home when sick and do everything we can to reduce the spread of disease in our communities.”
COVID hospitalizations are coming down
COVID hospitalizations fell below a milestone for the first time in two and a half months.
As of December 11, fewer than 1,000 Albertans were in hospital with COVID. The last time hospitalizations were this low was 24 – 78 days before.
Alberta Health’s weekly COVID data release showed 992 COVID hospitalizations, down 50 from the previous week. COVID in ICU also dropped by six to 32 people.
The pandemic death toll increased by 46 in the past week to 5,308 since March 2020.
All of the deaths appear to be in Albertans over 50, with 33 deaths counted in the 80+ age group.
People across all age groups are still admitted to hospital:
- five babies under one year old
- five from one to four years old,
- two children aged five to nine years, and
- at least one in each of the age groups over 20 years old was admitted in the past week.
The seven-day new case count from limited PCR tests was 1,045, a decrease of 102 from the previous week, and the seven-day positivity rate was up about half a percentage point to 13.61 percent.
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On Wednesday, Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, acknowledged that the latest wave of cases appeared to be receding, but warned that it was “too soon to let our guard down.”
“In Canada, variations in population level of immunity and current global trends suggest that an increase in COVID-19 may occur in the new year,” said Tam, who also cited an increase in more immune-evasive variants emerging in Canada.
“With the increased prominence of these variants in Canada, we may at least see a slower decline and a higher plateau in the number of infections as well as hospital admissions in Canada as this respiratory virus season unfolds.”
Tam also advised caution when planning holiday gatherings, saying it’s important to consider the potential impact of respiratory illness on everyone attending, and where those gatherings will be held.
“Wearing a well-fitted, well-constructed face mask in indoor public spaces or crowded environments and taking steps to provide the best possible ventilation are layers of protection that can reduce everyone’s risk,” she said.
– with files from Aaron D’Andrea of Global News
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
