COVID-19 Live Updates: News on coronavirus in Calgary for May 21

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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.

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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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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reopen as previously planned after Alberta Health said an exemption granted to the amusement park almost a year ago is no longer valid.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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‘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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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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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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Alberta sets new record for one-day vaccination numbers

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The latest on COVID-19 from across Canada

The top doctor in Nunavut says it’s safe to ease COVID-19 restrictions in Baffin region communities, except for Iqaluit and Kinngait where there are active cases. The territory reported 45 active cases Friday, with 44 in Iqaluit and one in Kinngait. The capital city is still under a strict lockdown heading into the long weekend.

Nova Scotia is reporting two more COVID-19-related deaths and 84 new virus cases today. Health officials say two men in their 70s have died in hospital in the Halifax area.

New Brunswick is reporting a second death related to a rare blood-clotting event from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says a person in their 50s received a first dose on April 11 and developed blood clot symptoms 17 days later before recently dying.

Quebec is reporting 752 new COVID-19 cases today and nine more deaths from the virus, but none in the past 24 hours. Health officials say hospitalizations dropped by 23 to 437 people, and 106 people were in intensive care.

Ontario is resuming use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, but only as a second dose. The province’s top doctor says risks posed by the vaccine are low.

Manitoba is asking the federal government for dozens of health care workers to help fight COVID-19. Premier Brian Pallister says he has asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for up to 50 critical care nurses and 20 respiratory therapists. He is also seeking up to 50 contact tracers from Statistics Canada. There were three more deaths and 594 new cases of COVID-19 as Manitoba continues to grapple with surging infections and hospitalizations.

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Canadian swim team cancels pre-Olympics training camp in Japan, report says

The Canadian swimming team cancelled its pre-Olympic training plan in Japan ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, Kyodo reported on Friday.

The team is the latest of some 50 delegations that have pulled out of pre-Olympic training camps, the majority due to concerns over the pandemic as Tokyo and other major cities remain under a state of emergency aimed to contain a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.

The Canadian team of about 60 swimming athletes and coaches were originally scheduled to stay in Toyota city, about 250 km (155 miles) west of Tokyo, from July 9 to July 30, the Kyodo report said.

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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.

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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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.

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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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With Moderna shipments uncertain, Ottawa lowers expectations on vaccine deliveries

With uncertainty about vaccine maker Moderna’s upcoming shipments, the government is revising projections on how many doses will be in Canada before the end of June.

The government now expects as few as 40 million doses of vaccines could be in Canada before the end of June, down from the 48 million it was expecting. The Liberals have widely used the 48 million figure to promote their vaccination effort.

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Thursday

Edmonton pro-wrestler in ICU, was on ventilator with COVID-19

Seeing her brother, a long-time Edmonton pro wrestler, on a ventilator with COVID-19 was terrifying, said Laura Kinghorn.

Mark Kinghorn, 39, is in ICU at the University of Alberta Hospital, and was put into a medically-induced coma on Monday needing a machine to help him breathe. He was scheduled to get his COVID-19 vaccine last Wednesday but started feeling unwell and got a test instead.

On Tuesday he woke himself up from the coma, and by Thursday morning he didn’t need the ventilator anymore, family say.

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Thursday

Quarantine rules relaxed for vaccinated Albertans as COVID-19 cases continue to plummet

Albertans immunized against COVID-19 will face shorter quarantine periods if they come into close contact with a known case, the province’s top doctor announced Thursday.

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The relaxation of Alberta’s quarantine rules comes as novel coronavirus cases continue to plummet.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said this, along with the growing proportion of Albertans who have been immunized against COVID-19, means the province can lighten protocols for isolation.

Beginning Thursday, fully vaccinated Albertans who had their second dose at least two weeks ago do not need to quarantine at all if they are exposed to a confirmed positive case, as long as they have no symptoms. If this person has symptoms, they must isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 test.

As well, Albertans who had their first dose at least two weeks ago will only need to quarantine for 10 days, provided they do not have symptoms. If they have symptoms but receive a negative test on day seven or later of their isolation period, they may stop isolating.

Previously, all Albertans were legally required to quarantine for 14 days if they were identified as a close contact. The change does not apply to returning international travellers.

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Thursday

Rain or shine, Alberta’s provincial and national parks preparing for more visitors

Despite unpredictable weather forecast for this upcoming May long weekend, thousands of hearty Albertans will be heading to provincial and national parks across Alberta either for day trips or to camp.

But with the current COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, the parks organizations are asking Albertans to take particular care when planning their adventures this year.

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“For people who do choose to visit the Banff National Park, our message to plan ahead is more important than ever and we ask that people check in with our website to really understand what’s available, what’s open and what’s not,” said Daniella Rubeling, visitor experience manager with Parks Canada.

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Thursday

Record fifty-five tickets issued for failing to wear a mask in the last week

A record fifty-five tickets were issued by peace and police officers to those failing to wear a mask where required in the last week.

It’s the most tickets issued in a week since the face coverings bylaw came into effect on Aug. 1, 2020. Last week, Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced a change to the rules for those who are exempt to wearing face masks, requiring a doctor’s note.

Effective May 13, a medical exemption letter provided by a nurse practitioner, physician or psychologist is required to verify qualified medical conditions, such as sensory processing disorders, cognitive impairment, facial trauma and recent oral or jaw surgeries.

“While compliance with the temporary bylaw remains high in public spaces and Calgary Transit vehicles, increased enforcement presence and repeat offences have resulted in the increase in tickets,” the City of Calgary said in a Thursday news release.

Thursday

Pop-up vaccination site delivers COVID-19 jabs to vulnerable Calgarians

Alpha House and Alberta Health Services have teamed up to deliver COVID-19 jabs to community members who are experiencing homelessness.

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The initiative started this week with its second pop-up immunization clinic taking place at the Chinook LRT station on Thursday. The mobile team has already vaccinated 15 individuals and hopes word-of-mouth travels so they can immunize dozens more.

Shaundra Bruvall, a spokesperson for Alpha House, said they know, based on outreach work, where there are high concentrations of rough sleepers or encampments. These areas are their target.

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Thursday

812 new cases, four deaths

Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw gave an update on the province’s COVID-19 numbers.

• 812 new cases of COVID-19 on 9,038 tests
• 665 in hospital; 177 in ICUs
• Four deaths; 2,162 total
• 17,675 active cases; 202,442 recovered

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Watch for the livestream below.

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Thursday

Canada’s vaccination pace moves to top of pack but second doses, global aid slow

Canada’s vaccination effort against COVID-19 has pulled even with the United States in one of the key markers in the race to herd immunity and is closing in fast on a status as one of the top 10 most vaccinated countries in the world.

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Globally Canada now sits in the top 15 among nations for the share of the population with at least one dose of vaccine — a marked change from the 42nd place it held in early March.

But any celebration of the achievement is muted for some health professionals who see Canada pulling ahead at the expense of much of the world.

As of Thursday morning Canada had given at least one dose to 18.1 million people, about 47.6 per cent of the population, tying the United States. Canada will pull into the lead by day’s end, now vaccinating people 1.8 times faster than the U.S.

Read more.

Thursday

City of Calgary to launch ‘The Giving Wall’ pay-it-forward initiative

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A new program spearheaded by the City of Calgary’s Business Sector Task Force will allow people to buy a meal for someone else who can’t afford it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit restaurants hard as restrictions limited indoor dining. This initiative helps both restaurants and those who are struggling with food security.

Participating restaurants, cafes and coffee shops will post a sign on their giving wall, and will stick up the gift cards and vouchers as they are purchased. Anyone will be free to take the gifts to the checkout in exchange for a meal.

Local food writer Julie Van Rosendaal said this program could become important through the summer months as school-aged children are left without access to school programs that provide them with food.

“I’m particularly worried about kids who are separated from their food supports at school right now and that’s almost 200,000 kids throughout the city,” she said. “A lot of them are mobile, can move around and hop on their bikes and walk into a restaurant or coffee shop and access a meal if they need one.”

The city plans to launch a map of participating venues. More details can be found at calgary.ca/givingwall.

Thursday

U of C survey looks for Calgarians’ opinions on face masks

University of Calgary researchers are hoping to uncover the motivations behind people’s refusal or resistance to wear a mask in hopes of developing “more effective communications” for the City of Calgary.

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The group recently launched a survey, which is open to all Calgarians over the age of 18, that will examine participants’ attitudes and actions related to COVID-19 and face coverings.

“It’s important for us to understand these behaviours for public safety in terms of reducing spread of the virus but also because of the angst that it causes Calgarians and business owners and the pressure that it puts on city officials,” said Dr. Katrina Milaney, an associate professor at the university’s Cumming School of Medicine, in a statement.

Milaney said examining these motivations is “top of mind” for city officials and researchers as anti-mask rallies thunder through the city on a regular basis amid “growing refusal” to wear a mask by locals.

The online survey is open to Calgarians aged 18 or older, and can be found at w21c.org/face-masks.

The researchers behind the city want to hear from a wide range of Calgarians living in all parts of the city. They’re hoping for 1,000 responses.

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