Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Saturday, Jan. 23

The latest:

• Alberta reported another 573new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday down from 643 new cases onFriday with around a5.3 per cent positivity rate.
• Alberta has now lost 1,525people to COVID-19 since the pandemic began last March. Thirteen new deaths were reported on Friday.
• A COVID-19 field hospital in Edmonton is now ready to admit patients should regular hospitals in the region become overwhelmed.
• As of Thursday afternoon, the outbreak at CapitalCare Lynnwood in the West Meadowlark Park neighbourhood in Edmonton had claimed 55 lives, making it the deadliest outbreak in Albertasince the pandemic began.
• The number of COVID-19 outbreaks at Alberta child-care facilities are falling, andappear toshow measures in place are working but maintaining vigilance iskey to continuing the trend,saysinfectious disease expert Craig Jenne.

• There are 676people in hospital, with 114in intensive care, down slightly from 691in hospital the previous day.
• Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health,said Thursday no additional measures are being eased while hospitalization numbers remain high.
• Hinshaw said the dataindicates that the tougher restrictions put in place by Premier Jason Kenney's UCP government in November and December have achieved their intended outcome, so far. She said it's important to continue to follow precautions and be mindful of community transmission in an effort to reduce case numbers and hospitalizations.
• Since reaching a peak on Dec. 7 of 1,767 new cases per day, the seven-day average of daily new cases has been steadily declining. As of Jan. 20, the seven-day average was 644.86, which is roughly the level it was at in early November when the numbers were rising sharply.
• Alberta's total of active cases has dropped to 9,987 as of Jan. 22, which is roughly the level that was seen in mid-November.

• The total has been dropping slowly but steadily since it peaked at 21,138 on Dec. 13, a day after tougher provincial restrictions kicked in that made working from home mandatory for those who could,banned in-person service at restaurants, pubs and bars,and entirely closed entertainment and recreation facilities from movie theatres to gyms, personal and wellness services like spas and hair salons.
• A total of98,807vaccine doseshad been administered as of Friday.

See the detailed regional breakdown:

Here isthedetailed regional breakdown of active cases as of Saturday.

• Calgary zone: 3,786, down from 3,839 reported on Wednesday (41,835 recovered).
• Edmonton zone: 3,407, down from 3,511 (46,065 recovered).
• North zone: 1,325, down from 1,366 (8,246recovered).
• South zone: 396, up from 411(5,207 recovered).
• Central zone: 799, down from 849 (7,605 recovered).
• Unknown: 14, down from 11 (120 recovered).

Find out which neighbourhoods or communities have the most cases, how hard people of different ages have been hit, the ages of people in hospital, how Alberta compares to other provinces and more in: Here are the latest COVID-19 statistics for Alberta and what they mean

Here are thelatest Alberta COVID-19 stories from yesterday and today:

Calgary ICUsare still stretched as COVID case rates drop

Calgary's intensive care units remain under intense pressure, even as overall COVID-19 case counts, transmission rates and hospitalization numbers drop.

"Every night that I've been on call, we are barely squeaking by with enough beds," said Dr. Selena Au, intensive care specialist working at the Peter Lougheed Centre, South Health Campus and Rockyview General Hospital.

The pressure on Calgary's ICUs is driven in part by an unusually long length of stay in the ICU for COVID-19 patients, according to Au, who says some patients require critical care for two to three weeks.

"Some of the patients that we have right now are actually fairly young and without any previous medical history. And we really want to make sure that we give any possible chance for survival," she said.

• For more, see: Calgary ICUsstill stretched even as COVID-19 case rates drop

Construction on field hospital in Edmonton now complete

Construction on a field hospital inside the University of Alberta's Butterdome complex was completed this week.

The facility, which includes 100 temporary beds, is now prepped in case hospitals in the region become overwhelmed.

Alberta Health Services said the field hospital will be usedonly if local hospitals are stretched past capacity.

"Overall occupancy in Edmonton-area hospitals remains high. We want to be prepared for all possible scenarios.These 100 additional inpatient spaces are part of our ongoing, proactive pandemic response planning," AHS said on Twitter.

The Butterdome was also used as aCOVID-19 assessment centre lastspring, andadditional work on the facility took place late last year with help from the Canadian Red Cross.

• For more, see:Construction on Edmonton COVID-19 field hospital now complete

Alberta has now lost 1,500 people to COVID-19

There have now been1,500 deaths due to COVID-19recorded in Alberta since last March.

OnThursday, the province reported 16 more deaths and 678 new cases of the illness.

Active casesin Alberta have been declining steadilyfor the past month and are now half what they were in mid-December.

But though the number of people in hospital has declined slightly, that metric has lagged well behind.

'We are not in the clear just yet,' Dr. Hinshaw says

4 years ago

Duration 2:57

Although Alberta is seeing COVID-19 numbers drop, Dr. Deena Hinshaw says it's too early to lift health restrictions as hospitalization and ICU numbers are still high.

On Dec. 13, active cases peaked at 21,178. The latest update, released Thursday, reported 10,256 cases.

Hospitalizations in Alberta peaked on Dec. 30, when there were 941 people being treated for the illness, including 145 in ICU beds.

Across the province, 726 people are now being treated in hospitals for the disease, including 119 in ICU beds.

Hinshawsaid that's one reason the current restrictions must remain in place.

"In a year that has already been extremely difficult, I am proud of the sacrifices and community spirit that Albertans have shown to produce these encouraging numbers," Hinshaw said Thursday at a news conference. "At the same time, we are not in the clear just yet. That is why no additional measures are being eased at this time."

While cases are falling, Alberta still has the second-highest active case rate per capita in Canada, she said.

• For more, see:Alberta has now lost 1,500 people to COVID-19 since pandemic began

Outbreaks at Alberta child-care centres appear to be slowing

The falling number of COVID-19 outbreaks at Alberta child-care facilities appear to show measures in place are working, says an infectious disease expert.

Craig Jenne, an associate professor at the University of Calgary in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases, said the numbers peaked along with community transmission.

The key now is to keep overall cases down and watch for coronavirus variants, Jenne said.

"We believe our current defences are working well against the viral strain that's here now," Jenne said. "But if that changes if that is able to spread more easily it may mean that our current limitations on occupancy and spaces and handwashing may not be as effective at stopping viral spread.

"That may lead to more transmission within child care, but also within the community, meaning more kids are going to a daycare or child-care setting with the virus."

In August, there were two outbreaks of five or more cases, and 10 people tested positive. By December, there were 15 new outbreaks at child-care centres with 125 cases.

But this month, there are fewer than half as many outbreaks so far this month there are sixnew child-care outbreaks in Alberta including 64 cases.

• For more, see:Outbreaks at Alberta child-care centres appear to be slowing but vigilance is key, expert says

Edmonton long-term care centre outbreak now the deadliest

As of Thursday afternoon, the outbreak at CapitalCare Lynnwood in the West Meadowlark Park neighbourhood in Edmonton had claimed 55 lives, making it the deadliest outbreak in Albertasince the pandemic began.

Ina 46-day periodover the holidays, 41 residents died of COVID-19.

A total of 262 cases have been linked to the outbreak, Alberta Health said in a statement to CBC News. Three cases remain active while 205 residents have recovered.

The number of active infections continues to decline but the waning caseload comes after a particularly bleak holiday season inside the 276-bed facility.

• For more, see:With 55 deaths, Edmonton long-term care centre outbreak now the deadliest in Alberta

Funeral homes offer different ways to grieve:

Gathering restrictions in Alberta have promptedfuneral homes to offer friends and families more options to remember loved ones.

Live streams and video recording of funeral services weren't popular options for grieving families before but some funeral directors say the services may be here to stay.

On Jan.8, the family of Donna Burkoholder held her funeral service near Tofield, Alta. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, only 10peoplecould attend in person.

It made for a tough decision for the family.

"How do you pick which family can come to a family member's funeral? So we didn't have my children or my little brother's children," said Lorne Burkholder, Donna's son. "That's going to be the loneliest moment ever you're going through."

Working with family members, community members, and the funeral home, the family held a service with 10 peoplebeside the casket outsideSalem Mennonite Church.

• For more, see:Alberta funeral homes offer different ways to grieve during pandemic restrictions

Alberta prioritizing second dose vaccinations due to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shortage

4 years ago

Duration 1:27

With uncertainty in the supply of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, Alberta Health Services is adjusting planning of the rollout and doing everything they can to get second doses to those who have received their first dose, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Tuesday.

• For the latest on what's happening in the rest of Canada and around the world on Friday,seehere.