As restrictions in the province begin to lift and a clear path forward has begun to emerge, changes are being made to vaccine eligibility for teenagers and children with underlying medical conditions and compromised immune systems.
Beginning Feb. 15, third-dose appointments will open for First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals aged 12 to 17 as well as those in the age group who have medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Fourth dose appointments for immunocompromised individuals in the 12 to 17 age group and third doses for immunocompromised children aged five to 11 will also open next Tuesday.
Changes are also being made to rules for fully-vaccinated, long-term care employees. In April 2020, the province issued a restriction that prevented long-term care employees from working shifts at more than one facility or designated supported living facility. Beginning Feb. 16, that rule will be rescinded for workers that have had at least two doses of vaccine, but enhanced cleaning procedures and outbreak policies will remain.
Rapid tests are also beginning to return to Alberta's pharmacies and are available for free at select sites with a provincial health-care card. One test kit per person every 14 days is permitted as long as they are available.
Health Minister Jason Copping said AHS sites will not be receiving anymore tests following shipments sent out this week.
Tests will continue to be available at pharmacies dependent on supply. According to Copping, 1,453 pharmacies have signed up to receive shipments.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported 1,363 new cases during her remarks. The positivity rate stood just over 29 per cent, with 1,586 people in hospital and 126 in intensive care. In the last 24 hours, 22 new deaths were reported to AHS.
As the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) comes to an end, Copping said that the QR code scanning app will no longer be available to download, but can still be used on existing devices if a business chooses to continue to ask for proof of vaccination.
Records can still be printed off and visual checks can be conducted at businesses that no longer have the digital applications.
Copping was adamant in his government's choice to begin removing restrictions, explaining that the REP has served it's purpose.
"We're past the peak of the Omicron wave and we are transitioning to life on the other side of it," Copping said.
He did note that this does not mean the pandemic is over, nor has the risk has been eliminated, as hospitals are still under considerable strain.
However, according to Copping, hospital admissions are currently inline with and below the numbers seen during the mid-winter season prior to COVID.
He said that hospitalizations have dropped significantly in recent weeks and it is expected that trend will continue.
