In the Town of Strathmore, there are 57 active cases of COVID-19, in Wheatland County, there are 24 and in Chestermere, there are 58 active cases.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro revealed that there are now two healthcare workers who have died as a result of COVID-19. He expressed his condolences but also said that AHS is doing a superb role in the rollout of the vaccination program.

“As of the end of the day yesterday we completed more than 26,000 vaccinations,” said Shandro.

The Minister said in February Phase 1B will be the vaccinations of residents 75 years or older, residents 65 and older on First Nations and Metis settlements, and healthcare workers and medical, surgical, or in operating rooms.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta, said that COVID-19 statistics remain high in Alberta, despite the recent decrease in numbers over the Christmas holidays.

“There is hope, we just have work yet to do to get there,” she said.

Hinshaw spoke about the rumour that vaccine doses are being wasted or thrown away. She explained that there is very little waste during the preparation process for vaccines.

In terms of statistics, there are now 843 new cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. “Our healthcare system remains under significant pressure with 919 people in hospital including 140 who have been admitted to the ICU,” she said. She said in total there are over 1,100 people who have died due to COVID-19 in Alberta.

Hinshaw said that it will be months before the province can offer immunization to the general public.