Coronavirus Disease Weekly News 16May 2021
The news posted last week for the coronavirus 2019-nCoV (aka SARS-CoV-2), which produces COVID-19 disease, has been surveyed and some important articles are summarized here. The articles are more or less organized with general virus news and anecdotes first, then stories from around the US, followed by an increased number of items from other countries around the globe. Economic news related to COVID-19 is found here.
Please share this article - Go to very top of page, right hand side, for social media buttons.
Summary:
Covid seemed to pretty much drop out of the news this week. Usually, I can pick up a lot of virus stories just from news sites most read or recent news lists; this week I had to go looking for them. Part of the reason was that the fuel pipeline shutdown dominated the headlines, but the underlying reason is that new cases in the US and globally, are falling rapidly, even in India - No one wants to cover a story that bl
By Jaryn Vecchio
Syncrude
Over 5,200 individuals at four of the six worst COVID-19 workplace outbreaks in the region have taken advantage of on-site vaccination clinics.
Alberta Health Services partnered with Suncor Energy, Syncrude, and Canadian Natural Resources Limited to offer workers the chance to get their first dose.
Syncrude saw the biggest turnout as around 1,900 direct and indirect employees took advantage at their Mildred Lake and Aurora sites.
Suncor saw around 1,700 individuals get their shot at Base Plant, while CNRL had approximately 1,600 at Horizon.
Of the active workplace outbreaks in the RMWB, Horizon has seen the most cases followed by Syncrude’s Mildred Lake and Suncor’s Base Plant.
1,433 new cases in past 24 hours.
Five COVID-19 deaths in past 24 hours, bringing total to 2,137.
15,029 people tested in past 24 hours.
2,086,589 vaccine doses administered; 39.4 per cent has at least one dose, 7.3 per cent fully immunized.
Alberta’s earliest known COVID-19 case was detected in a blood sample collected on Feb. 24. The first case was announced on March 5.
COVID-19 in Fort McMurray:
1,493 active cases (125 new cases). First case was reported in the city on March 19. Cases are based on residency and do not include the commuter workforce.
4,255 recoveries (158 new recoveries).
Alberta’s province-wide mask order remains active.
COVID-19 in rural areas and Wood Buffalo National Park:
Article content
The hospital’s normal acute capacity is 107 beds, including six for the ICU. AHS has expanded to 122 beds, including 11 for the ICU.
Alberta Health spokesperson Tom McMillan said community vaccine numbers will be included in daily updates starting Monday.
Mayor, fire chief want more local COVID-19 data
Premier Jason Kenney, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro and chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw are scheduled to hold a town hall meeting with municipal leaders tonight, said McMillan.
In a Wednesday morning interview, Mayor Don Scott said he has felt health authorities need to share more information with local leaders regarding hospitalizations, vaccine numbers and what specific factors are driving COVID-19’s local spread. These frustrations were shared by Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz at a Tuesday council meeting.