COVID-19 related deaths jump as Alberta reports nearly 5,000 new cases over long weekend

CALGARY — Following a long weekend with new COVID-19 measures put in place across the province, Alberta reported nearly 5,000 new infections over the four-day period.

The breakdown of new cases is as follows:

• 1,330 new cases identified on Friday;
• 1,450 new cases on Saturday;
• 820 new cases on Sunday;
• 1,303 new cases on Monday.

In total, more than 41,000 tests were completed since Friday for an average positivity rate of around 11.9  per cent.

Active cases also jumped over the last four days by nearly 2,000 for a total of 15,486 — the highest active case count seen since May 20.

Of those active infections, Calgary currently has the most in the province with 3,199 — while Edmonton now has 3,148.

Meanwhile, six rural regions now have caseloads of more than 1,000 active infections per 100,000 people.

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As for hospitalizations, there are now 602 people in hospital, an increase of 87 from the previous update. While there are now 137 people in the ICU — an increase of 19 from last week.

Of those in the ICU, 117 are unvaccinated — or about 85 per cent.

COVID-19 related deaths also saw a jump over the last four days, with 17 additional deaths being reported.

As for vaccinations in Alberta, 26,053 doses were administered over the long weekend, including 11,731 first-dose appointments.

Of the eligible population, 78.6 per cent have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 70.6 per cent are now fully vaccinated.