Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw returned to the podium on Wednesday, July 28, after nearly a month-long hiatus from her regular COVID updates, to provide new information on the current COVID-19 situation in the province.
Although the number of active and new cases have dropped in comparison to earlier in 2021, these numbers are slowly growing.
“Cases have risen recently, almost entirely in those who have not been fully vaccinated, as we expected would likely happen as people come in close contact with each other again,” Dr. Hinshaw said during the update. “Similar trends are being seen in other provinces that have lifted restrictions. I am pleased that, overall, hospitalizations continue to decline and we will keep watching these closely.”
The Calgary Stampede made a comeback in early July following cancellations in 2020, drawing more than 525,000 attendees.
In a press release dated Tuesday, July 27 the Calgary Stampede shared, “Alberta Health has shared that 71 people likely acquired the virus at the Stampede.”
The province has administered nearly 5.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Thursday, July 29. Some 75 per cent of Albertans 12 and older having received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 65 per cent fully vaccinated. In Drumheller-Starland County region, some 70 per cent of residents 12 and older have received at least one dose and nearly 60 per cent are fully vaccinated.
As of Friday, July 30, there were 1,655 active cases across the province. There is currently one active case in the Town of Drumheller, two in Kneehill County, six in Wheatland County, while Starland County currently has zero active cases.
