Alberta declares the COVID-19 Omicron wave as bygone in the province

According to Health Minister Jason Copping, the Omicron wave is officially over in Alberta.

During Wednesday’s provincial health update, Copping said hospitalizations and ICU rates are now at their lowest rate since the wave began. But it comes with a caveat.

He also said the province will start preparing for a possible increase in COVID-19 cases in the fall saying it could shift to something closer to influenza.

He says COVID could become a seasonal occurrence with higher rates of COVID in the colder months just like the annual flu.

WATCH: Alberta health update – Jun. 09

Although the province could see higher COVID-19 numbers in the fall they expect to see low transmission rates this summer.

The Health Minister says barring any new variant we can safely enjoy more activities outside this summer.

Copping declared the Omicron variant over in Alberta after reporting hospitalizations and ICU rates are now at their lowest rate since the Omicron wave began.

Dr. Hinshaw confirmed 42 deaths between May 17 and May 23 but said that number continues to trend downward.

Estimated COVID-19 case numbers provided by the province on June 6 show 816 people were in the hospital with the virus. The update also showed there were 247 active new cases in Alberta, and 24 people in the ICU.

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The chief medical officer of health said Albertans still need to exercise caution to avoid the virus.

And she added less than 50 per cent of Albertans eligible to get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine have actually gotten that shot.

Meanwhile, the number of monkeypox cases in the province is now up to four and all cases are adults who are self-isolating.

–With files from Kelly Turner