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New framework to identify benchmarks for when restrictions can be lifted is coming

Dr. Hinshaw says hospitalization rate from COVID-19 is now down to early December levels
covid
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says they are working on a framework to help Albertans identify what benchmarks need to be reached before the restrictions imposed in early December can be partially or fully lifted.

Health officials are working on a framework to help Albertans identify what benchmarks need to be reached before the current restrictions imposed in early December can be lifted. 

During the Jan. 27 update on COVID-19, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said they were working on a framework “to help people be able to see what that target is that we need to collectively achieve in order to … open more activities.” 

Hinshaw did not provide any timeline when that framework would be available, except that health officials hoped to have it ready soon. 

"We are working on that framework to hopefully help people see those signposts and see how we are hoping to move forward, as long as we are able to continue minimizing transmission as we’ve been successful at over the past several weeks.” 

With that in mind, Hinshaw pointed out that it’s important to remember some restrictions have been lifted in the past several weeks. 

For instance, schools across the province returned to in-person classes on Jan. 11, and just over a week ago, the province announced that personal services like hair salons could re-open their doors. 

“I know that for those whose businesses or activities are still currently restricted, that may not come as a whole lot of comfort,” she said. “(But) we do need to watch to see what if any impact that has on community spread before we open up the next set of activities.” 

She added that there is no single number that is more important to reach so that restrictions can be lifted. 

Hinshaw said the number of new cases and the testing positivity rate are early indicators of the impact from opening up certain activities, while the number of Albertans currently in hospital or intensive care is also an important indication of how much stress is on the health care system. 

Turning to the daily update, Hinshaw reported that more than 101,000 doses of vaccine have been administered, with more than 11,000 Albertans receiving both of the needed doses and thus being fully immunized. 

She said 459 new cases of COVID-19 had been identified over the past 24 hours. With more than 12,000 tests being completed, the testing positivity rate now stands at 3.6 per cent. 

Twelve new deaths were reported to Alberta Health over the past 24 hours, bringing the provincial death toll to 1,599. 

A total of 604 Albertans are currently in hospital, which is a reduction of more than a third from the high of 943 Albertans in hospital seen on Dec. 30. 

As well, ICU admissions are now down to 110 from a high of 155. (The exact date when that high was reached is unclear.) 

“This is encouraging news and a signal that we are making meaningful progress. Everyone of us should take pride in this,” Hinshaw said. 

“However, it also means that there are just as many people in hospital today as there were on Dec. 4, when our acute care system was struggling under the impact of COVID-19."

Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com

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