LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Government has announced a couple of changes to the way in which it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The province has lifted COVID restrictions twice in 2022 so far, once on February 8 and once on March 1.
Since the lifting of restrictions, Health Minister Jason Copping says the COVID situation has improved.
“I am pleased to report that it does not appear that easing measures has caused an uptick in numbers since we entered Step 1 on February the eighth. We continue to see a decline or plateau in both our lagging or leading indicators.”
Copping adds that, at this point in the pandemic, longer-term trends are more important than day-to-day fluctuations.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined by approximately 40 per cent since the first round of lifting restrictions in February while the positivity rate has fallen by seven per cent.
Starting on the week of Monday, March 21, COVID-19 data, including cases and outbreaks, will only be reported by AHS once per week on Wednesdays.
The province is also winding down the employer and service provider RAPID testing program to those who care for vulnerable populations.
Copping says this change is due to RAPID testing kits being broadly available to the general public and most employers scaling down mandatory testing programs.
Starting April 1, the only organizations that will qualify for these tests are AHS locations, long-term care, designated supportive living, and hospice facilities, as well as primary care, child care, K-12 school staff, and community services such as shelters and residential treatment facilities.
A full list of COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta can be found on the Alberta Government website.
