Alberta has reached a vaccination milestone with over 2.24 million doses of vaccines being handed out and over half of Albertans over the age of 12 having received a first dose of the vaccine.

This was revealed during the provincial COVID-19 update by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta.

Hinshaw says that COVID-19 numbers are going down. She said in the last 24 hours there have been 877 new cases of COVID-19.

“This suggests that our public health measures are beginning to have an impact thanks to the sacrifices Albertans are making every day. However, there is still more to do and we have a long way to go,” said Hinshaw. But she did say that public health measures are still needed.

“Our positivity rate currently stands at about 11.4 per cent and despite lower daily case numbers has remained at this high level for weeks. This remains concerning. It's easy to forget that at this time last year, our positivity rate was about 1.5 per cent.”

There are currently 691 people in hospitals being treated for COVID-19 and 187 in ICUs, and there have been four new deaths.

In terms of vaccines, Hinshaw addressed when people will be able to get second doses.

“Right now, second doses can be booked three to four weeks after the first for Albertans who are profoundly immunocompromised by calling 811,” she said. All other Alberans can get their second dose around three to four months after the first.

She says that everyone who wants a vaccine can get one.

She said Albertans should be proud for having more than half of Albertans over the age of 12 having now received at least one dose.

She said more than two million people still haven't had their chance to receive a vaccine.

Hinshaw said it's important that everyone continue following all of the public health measures.

“This will not be the case forever, but right now this will be the way we can protect each other and prevent spread while we are working to get vaccines to those we haven’t yet reached.”