COVID-19. (Dreamstime)

By David Opinko

Dr. Hinshaw concerned with rising COVID hospitalizations, dialing back asymptomatic testing

Oct 20, 2020 | 3:53 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB — Alberta Health Services has released Tuesday’s report on COVID-19, detailing the numbers over the past 24 hours.

323 cases were confirmed across the province, bringing the total to 22,996. Of those, 3,203 cases are active while 19,500 people have recovered.

That includes 17 new infections in the South Health Zone with 11 in Lethbridge, two in Brooks, and one each in Cardston County, Cypress County, and the Counties of Newell and Forty Mile.

In Lethbridge, 142 cases are currently active while the South Zone has 199 people who are considered active cases.

One person in the Edmonton Zone died as a result of COVID-19, meaning it has claimed the lives of 293 Albertans.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Provincially, 116 patients are currently hospitalized and 16 have been admitted to intensive care units.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the province has a compounded daily COVID hospitalization rise of 3.1 per cent over the last week, which is close to the five per cent “trigger threshold.”

“I am concerned by the rise, which appears to be driven by a number of factors, mainly the increase in community case counts and several hospital outbreaks.”

1,653,361 tests have been completed among 1,197,204 different people.

Especially with flu season approaching, Dr. Hinshaw announced a change in COVID-19 testing procedures.

“Effective immediately, we will be pressing pause on all asymptomatic testing in those who have no known exposure.”

“This is an important and necessary step that will help us to reduce testing wait times, get results to Albertans, and limit the spread.”

The regional breakdown for COVID-19 in Alberta is as follows:

• Calgary zone – 10,379 cases, 1,043 active
  • 134 deaths
  • 42 in hospital, four in ICU
• Edmonton zone – 7,883 cases, 1,607 active
  • 89 deaths (one new)
  • 63 in hospital, eight in ICU
• South zone – 2,119 cases, 199 active
  • 27 deaths
  • Four in hospital, two in ICU
• North zone – 1,705 cases, 198 active
  • 35 deaths
  • Four in hospital, two in ICU
• Central zone – 857 cases, 145 active
  • Eight deaths
  • Three in hospital

The breakdown for the South Health Zone by community is as follows:

• Brooks – 1,147 cases (two new), 16 active, nine deaths
• Lethbridge – 361 cases (11 new), 142 active, two deaths
  • West Lethbridge – 135 cases (three new), 43 active, one death
  • South Lethbridge – 123 cases (four new), 47 active
  • North Lethbridge – 103 cases (four new), 52 active, one death
• Lethbridge County – 112 cases, 20 active, one death
• Cardston County – 107 cases (one new), three active, five deaths
• Medicine Hat – 87 cases, three active, two deaths
• County of Warner – 65 cases, one active, one death
• M.D. of Taber – 45 cases, one active
• County of Forty Mile – 44 cases (one new), four active
• County of Newell – 38 cases (one new), five active, two deaths
• Cypress County – 35 cases (one new), two active
• Fort Macleod – 33 cases, zero active, three deaths
• M.D. of Pincher Creek – 27 cases, zero active, two deaths
• Crowsnest Pass – Two cases, zero active