COVID-19 Live Updates: News on coronavirus in Calgary for May 22

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With news on COVID-19 happening rapidly, we’ve created this page to bring you our latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Calgary.

What’s happening now

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My COVID Story: How have you been impacted by coronavirus?

Postmedia is looking to speak with people who may have been impacted by COVID-19 here in Alberta. Have you had an upcoming surgery postponed? Do you have a family member in the ICU, or have you recovered after spending time in the ICU? Have you changed your life for the better because of the pandemic? Send us an email at reply@calgaryherald.com to tell us your experience, or send us a message via this form.

Read our ongoing coverage of personal stories arising from the pandemic.

U.K. bets big on the AstraZeneca vaccine being shunned in Canada

While provinces across Canada allow AstraZeneca doses to sit unused, the United Kingdom is pushing ahead with the vaccine and in the process becoming a world leader in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Britain views the rare blood clots from AstraZeneca as a risk worth taking in the fight against COVID and has been aggressive in its rollout of the vaccine as opposed to Canada.

Read more.

Friday

Calgary again renews state of local emergency, but the end could be in sight

Calgary officials renewed the city’s state of local emergency for what could be the last time Friday, as pandemic precautions and accelerating vaccinations bend the curve on the third wave.

The state of emergency is now approved for another 90 days, but according to a city statement, it will be lifted “as soon as the situation improves.”

In the meantime, they’re still monitoring infection and vaccination rates in Calgary. There are currently a little more than 6,000 active COVID infections within city limits, adding up to a case rate of 443 per 100,000 people.

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Active cases and hospitalization rates remain high, but this week has brought a sharp drop in daily new infection numbers.

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Friday

Calaway Park reopening thwarted by expired exemption

Calaway Park will not reopen as previously planned after Alberta Health said an exemption granted to the amusement park almost a year ago is no longer valid.

Bob Williams, general manager of the park, located just west of Calgary, told Postmedia earlier this week the attraction was ready to open on the Victoria Day long weekend but would wait until June 5 to support ongoing efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections.

Now, the park’s opening date has been pushed back indefinitely.

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Friday

‘Tremendous progress’: Alberta smashes COVID-19 vaccination record ahead of long weekend

Albertans rolled up their sleeves in record numbers Thursday, as the province announced it had administered a record number of immunizations against COVID-19.

The province reported Friday an additional 89,111 jabs, by far the biggest jump ever counted in a single day. Previously, Alberta’s daily dose record was just under 67,000.

The number represents about two per cent of Alberta’s population, meaning shots for every one in 50 Albertans were reported Friday.

Alberta has now blown past the milestone of first doses for more than two million residents, with 2.06 million Albertans having had at least one shot. That represents 46 per cent of Albertans, and 54 per cent of those in the eligible 12-and-over age group.

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Friday

732 new cases, two deaths

The latest COVID-19 numbers for Alberta:

• 732 new cases on 10,130 tests
• 638 in hospital; 177 in ICUs
• Two new deaths; 2,164 total
• 16,577 active cases; 204,270 recovered

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Friday

COVID pandemic eroded Canadians’ trust in politicians, science and even their neighbours, poll finds

The COVID-19 pandemic has eroded Canadians trust in their governments, public health officials, science and even neighbours, according to a new poll commissioned by Postmedia.

The Leger survey also revealed that more than half of Canadians feel the federal government’s border measures have been ineffective. An overwhelming 72 per cent of Canadians want the government’s three-day mandatory hotel quarantine for air travellers extended to people crossing by land. And 63 per cent of people say travellers ignoring the mandatory quarantine should face stiffer penalties, including jail time.

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Friday

Kenney says summer festivals will take place if Albertans get vaccinated

Premier Jason Kenney tweeted a video this morning with answers to a question about the possibility of summer festivals.

He said Alberta Health has been working with the organizers of major summer events to determine how those events can safely operate.

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He said an announcement will be coming “a week from now” in regards to summer events.

Kenney noted that the number of people who will be able to attend events will depend on two things: how careful Albertans are in the coming weeks to limit ongoing spread of COVID, and how many people choose to get vaccinated.

“If the spread comes down and the vaccine numbers go up, I think we can have an amazing summer, particularly starting in July,” said Kenney.

Friday

This Victoria Day weekend, don’t throw COVID-19 caution to the wind, Canadians told

Canada’s deputy chief medical officer says the country’s COVID-19 vaccination rates have doubled in five weeks, reaching nearly 20 million doses administered to date, while daily cases continue to decline.

But Dr. Howard Njoo says Canadians should take care to maintain the country’s progress this Victoria Day long weekend.

Njoo is urging people choose lower-risk outdoor activities and follow the public health advice of their respective jurisdictions.

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Friday

Calgary still top source of domestic flights carrying COVID-infected passengers: Health Canada

For the first half of May, over half of domestic flights carrying COVID-19-infected passengers into Calgary came from the Fort McMurray area, government data shows.

Of the 42 flights between May 1 and May 16 that landed in Calgary carrying passengers that tested positive for COVID-19, 22 originated from either Fort McMurray or Fort MacKay, according to flight data made available by Health Canada.

Seventeen departed from Fort McMurray International Airport, three from the Fort MacKay Horizon airfield, and one each from Albian Village and Firebag.

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