Photo: Government of Alberta

By Shaun Penner

Hinshaw "Very Concerned"

Rise in new cases a ‘wake up call’ for province: Dr. Hinshaw

Jul 23, 2020 | 4:32 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says ballooning COVID-19 numbers in the province are worrying and should serve as a wake-up call for those who are no longer practising physical distancing.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw made that remark as there were 114 new cases identified in the province for Thursday’s update, with 106 people now in hospital.

Twenty-one of the hospitalized patients are in intensive care and another two people have died, bringing that total to 176.

Dr. Hinshaw noted that the current level of hospitalizations is nearly matching the peak for hospitalizations during the pandemic in the province, which sat at 113 on April 30. It also nears the peak of ICU admissions, which was 23 on May 1.

“This needs to be a wake-up call. I am very concerned by these numbers,” said Hinshaw. ““On July 9, we had 590 active cases. Today we have nearly 1,300.

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“Two weeks ago we had seven Albertans in the ICU. Now we have triple that number.”

She says she understands many Albertans are suffering from COVID-19 fatigue and might believe that they no longer need to worry about its spread.

But Hinshaw says the novel coronavirus remains a risk.

“This is also a reminder that severe outcomes are not limited to the elderly. Twenty-four of those currently in hospital are under the age of 60, including seven who are between the ages of 20 and 39.”

Dr. Hinshaw noted the recent rise in cases reflects the actions of Albertans two weeks prior, and said the province doesn’t expect to see a dip in cases for another two weeks, depending on the actions of those in the province during that time.”

(With files from the Canadian Press)