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Alberta to remove most COVID-19 isolation, testing requirements by mid-August

nayr69sg

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...19-in-alberta-1.6121002?__vfz=medium=sharebar

Albertans who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer be required to enter isolation starting in less than three weeks, the province's chief medical officer of health said Wednesday.

The change is among a raft of public health amendments that are designed to help the health-care system respond to other emerging medical issues such as seasonal influenza, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw during a news conference.

While a recent rise in COVID-19 cases has caused some anxiety, increasing vaccination rates are limiting the threat of severe outcomes and strains on the health-care system, she said.

As a result, the province will start transitioning COVID-19 protocols to be similar to those of the flu and other communicable diseases.

"When we first heard of COVID-19, we knew little of the virus and we had no treatments and no vaccines … Today, we are in a very different place," said Hinshaw.

"Vaccines are able to drastically reduce the risk of not only contracting the virus, but more importantly, getting severely ill. From a public health standpoint, this has changed how we need to look at the virus."

Alberta's health-care system has to start preparing for other health challenges, such as the seasonal flu, said Hinshaw, citing that there were zero cases identified last fall but officials expect that to change.

Changes to certain COVID-19 rules and protocols will take place in two phases, and they will be implemented over a period of a few weeks.

Starting Thursday, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or who received a positive test result must isolate. The quarantine period for their close contacts, however, will shift from mandatory to recommended, a government release says.

That all changes on August 16 in Phase 2 when isolation following a positive test will no longer be required. It is still strongly recommended, Hinshaw said.

Quarantine could be required in some "high-risk settings or for outbreak management," Hinshaw noted.

Anyone who isn't fully immunized should avoid public places for two weeks, she added.

Anyone who tests positive will be notified, but contact tracers will no longer notify close contacts of exposure. That responsibility will fall to those who test positive for the illness.

Asymptomatic testing will no longer be recommended, but testing will remain available to people showing symptoms.

"This will help reduce wait times and ensure timely results in the coming months," said Hinshaw.

Mask mandates remain in effect when inside acute and continuing care facilities, or when riding in public transit, taxis or ride-share vehicles.

Officials will monitor the impact these changes have and adapt them as needed over the next two weeks, Hinshaw said.

Universal masking will not be required in schools once students return, Hinshaw said, but masks can be used as a temporary outbreak intervention in response to respiratory outbreaks.

COVID-19 testing, provincial monitoring, outbreak management in high-risk settings "and other key measures" will remain in place, the release says.

Isolation hotels and quarantine supports will no longer be available as of the start of Phase 2. COVID-19 testing will continue to be available for Albertans with symptoms "when it is needed to help direct patient care decisions," the release says.

Phase 2 slated to begin in mid-August​

Phase 2 of the province's transition is slated for Aug. 16, at which time most COVID-19 protocols will be lifted.

Mask mandates will be lifted, though some may be required in acute or continuing care facilities.

The province says masks won't be mandatory at schools, but could be recommended for temporary outbreak intervention. A document to guide back-to-school is being drafted and will be released mid-August.
 
Haha. Looks like Alberta finally doing what I said we should do!

Treat covid like the other communicable diseases. Like flu!

Interesting that Dr Hinshaw announced this while our R value is going up and we are getting more cases.

The report did say

194 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday​

Alberta public health officials are reporting 194 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday — most of which are people who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, said Hinshaw.

Since Tuesday, two more people are being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, but three patients were removed from the intensive care unit. There are 84 hospitalizations, including 18 in ICU as of Wednesday.

There were about 7,100 tests conducted Tuesday and Alberta's test-positivity rate is 2.9 per cent.

Of Albertans aged 12 and up, 75.6 per cent have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; 64.3 per cent have received both doses, according to a news release issued by the Alberta government.


So basically the increase in cases is for those unvaccinated.

Those vaccinated unlikely to get it. Even if get it is likely mild illness.

So the 4th wave is for the unvaccinated. Smaller population.

And frankly....if they get covid.....they have only themselves to blame because they choose not to vaccinate.

So the 75% carry on with life! Woo hoo!
 
They probably found my forum and read my recommendations regarding how to deal with the virus.

It would be nice if they had credited me in a footnote.
 
Ok i credit you @Leongsam !

I have said also if not really that sick why the fuck go for test?

Screw it lah.

Only need to test for covid if very sick.

Same for flu. We dont routine test for influenza unless very sick.

If only the very sick go for test the numbers will be low.

Looks like alberta is going to get the 25% unvaccinated to get their own herd immunity.
 
So when is Canada opening up to foreign tourists? I'm in desperate need for interesting holiday destinations.
 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calg...shepherd-deena-hinshaw-jason-kenney-1.6139605

Alberta to backtrack on plans to lift COVID-19 protocols, government source says​


Alberta is rowing back on plans to end COVID-19 protocols including isolation requirements, asymptomatic testing and contact tracing by Aug. 16, a government source told CBC News.

The province's health guidelines will remain in place for now, the source said. The changes scheduled for Aug. 31 are still on track, the source said.

Alberta public health officials reported 550 net new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the second day in a row that the daily case count surpassed the 500 mark.


Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, is scheduled to speak along with Adriana LaGrange, Alberta's minister of education, on Friday morning. She is expected to announce the changes during that news conference, according to the source.


The province's original plan saw concerns raised by the Canadian Paediatric Society, Alberta Medical Association, Alberta College of Family Physicians and the federal health minister.

In a column sent to media outlets in early August, Hinshaw apologized for causing "confusion, fear or anger" after communicating the plan to lift public health measures.

On Aug. 5, Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu penned a letter to her Alberta counterpart saying she agreed with the Canadian Paediatric Society's description of Alberta's move to lift the measures as an "unnecessary and risky gamble."

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney fired back at the minister, saying he wouldn't "take lectures" from the federal government.

The number of Albertans who have died from COVID-19 remains at 2,331
 
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