Alberta reports 170 new cases of COVID-19 ahead of weekend of loosened restrictions
Province reports 296 people in hospital, 79 in ICU
Alberta reported 170 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday as the province heads into a weekend of loosened restrictions.
Thursday marked the implementation of Stage 2 of the province's reopening plan, allowing for indoor dining, gyms, and larger outdoor gatherings.
As of Friday's update, there were 296 people in hospital — a decrease of ten from the previous day. Of those, 79 were in intensive care units.
Three new deaths were also reported. A total of 2,265 Albertans have died from the disease.
- Alberta speeds up schedule for 2nd-dose COVID-19 vaccine bookings
- Movies, bowling, indoor dining back on the menu as Alberta moves to Stage 2 reopening
Total active cases dropped 281, down to 3,529. The positivity rate was 2.81 per cent after 6,682 tests — the lowest rate since mid-October 2020.
Here is how active cases breakdown by health zone:
- Calgary zone: 1,409
- Edmonton zone: 929
- North zone: 585
- Central zone: 456
- South zone: 149
- Unknown: 1
The last time Edmonton zone was below 1,000 active cases was in late February.
As of end of day Thursday, 68.2 per cent of Albertans 12 and older now having received their first shot. About 17.8 per cent of the eligible population is fully immunized with two doses.
Step 3 — an almost complete removal of restrictions — is set to begin two weeks after 70 per cent of eligible Albertans have had at least one dose of vaccine.