Pincher Creek Health Centre. (Google Maps)

By Canadian Press

Rural Alberta doctors say fifth wave of COVID may be “inevitable”

Oct 26, 2021 | 2:57 PM

PINCHER CREEK, AB – Although COVID-19 cases are slightly declining in Alberta, two doctors who treat patients from rural areas say a fifth wave may be inevitable if people in those communities do not get vaccinated at a faster pace.

Provincial data shows 78.3 per cent of eligible Albertans overall are fully vaccinated and 86.4 per cent have had at least one shot.

Doctor Finola Hackett, a physician in Pincher Creek, says that is higher than some southern and northern municipalities.

On average, 55 per cent of Albertans living in Manning, Peace River, Fairview, Spirit River, St. Paul and Lethbridge have had their first dose.

The number is 39 per cent in the County of Forty Mile in the south and 40 per cent in Two Hills County in east-central Alberta.

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Doctor Raman Kumar, who works in Fort McMurray, says many vaccine-hesitant patients he meets are misinformed.

Hackett says some in rural areas lack transportation services.

Others don’t think COVID-19 is a serious concern.

(The Canadian Press)