Alberta's flu death toll hits 15-year high, sparking calls for better immunization outreach
Latest from me👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update:
COVID:
Deaths (since end of Aug): 549 (up from 539 last wk)
In hospital (primary/contributing): 94/3icu (88/4)
FLU:
Deaths: 167 (166)
In hosp: (primary/contr): 42/3 (53/6)
RSV:
In hosp (including incidental): 29/2 (36/2)

Makeshift slaughterhouse in a residential garage points to growing concerns about illicit meat sales by Terry Reith
cbc.ca/news/canada/ed…

Statement from Alberta's Health Minister on the province's 1st measles case of 2024:
-acquired through travel
-LaGrange is urging Albertans to ensure children are vaccinated
-measles-specific immunization clinic is being set up in Edmonton zone, where the case was confirmed

NEW: A cases of measles has been confirmed in Edmonton
See AHS public health alert for info on potential exposure locations/dates👇
albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page18174…

Calgary halal grocers and wholesaler shut down by Alberta Health Services over sales of uninspected meat
cbc.ca/news/canada/ed…

More on Alberta's NICU situation:
Turns out Drs sent a private letter to AB's health minister in early Feb voicing concerns
The Minister's office ordered an investigation
It wasn't until this wk's public letter, that she directed the work be expedited👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Some Alberta doctors say neonatal intensive care units are in 'crisis,' putting vulnerable babies at risk, and they're calling on the provincial government to take immediate action.
Story👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update👇
COVID:
Deaths (since end of Aug): 531 (up from 527 last wk)
In hospital (primary/contributing): 99/8 icu (123/6)
FLU:
Deaths: 163 (162)
In hosp (primary/contr) 51/6 (45/4)
RSV:
In hosp (including incidental) 51/2 (59/7)

Major health-care unions are raising the alarm about Alberta's planned transition to a new mental health and addictions agency, which will affect thousands of health-care staff.
The pushback includes an unfair labour practice complaint.
Latest👇

cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update👇
COVID:
Deaths this season: 520 (up from 507 last wk)
In hospital (primary/contributing): 133/4 (128/6)
FLU:
Deaths: 158 (157)
In hosp (primary/contr) 48/6 (28/3)
RSV:
In hosp (incl incidental) 76/6 (94/11)

Alberta's first training program for physician assistants, at the University of Calgary, is gearing up for an August launch, sparking hopes it could provide some relief to the province's health-care crisis.
My latest👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

There are calls for Alberta to improve access to publicly funded measles vaccines, by allowing pharmacists to provide them, as some Albertans struggle to access the shots👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update:
COVID:
Deaths this season: 507 (up from 495 last wk)
In hospital (primary/contributing): 128/6 (140/5)
FLU:
Deaths: 157 (156)
In hosp (primary/contr): 28/3 (31/4)
RSV:
In hosp (incl incidental): 94/11

Health-care staff are now being shifted from AHS to the provincial health department as Alberta forges ahead with its controversial restructuring plans.
126 AHS staff have been terminated + offered gov't jobs, as worries emerge about pay cuts
My latest👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update👇
COVID:
Deaths this season: 495 (last wk: 474)
In hospital (primary/contributing): 140/5icu (145/5)
FLU:
Deaths: 156
In hosp (primary/contr): 31/4icu (44/5)
RSV:
In hosp (incl incidental): 87/10 (109/11)

Okotoks is now hit with an outbreak of pertussis.
17 cases since Nov/23. All locally acquired, according to AHS
(+22 cases in other parts of Calgary zone)
It's the latest in a string of Alberta outbreaks, as vaccination rates drop
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

As a health reporter, I find data-sharing in Canada a constant challenge. Take our federal #measles tracking, for instance. It's 2+ weeks old, showing just 7 cases (when there are now 17 in Quebec alone) making it woefully out of date.
canada.ca/en/public-heal…

Alberta's failed attempt to privatize lab services was an expensive and unnecessary lesson for the government, critics say, as the price tag becomes increasingly clear
Cost to buy Dynalife = $31.5M
Assumed liabilities = $65.5M
My latest👇
cbc.ca/news/canada/ca…

Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update👇
COVID:
Total deaths this season: 474 (464 last wk)
In hospital (primary/contributing ) 145/5 icu (154/4)
FLU:
Deaths: 156 (153)
In hospital (primary/contr): 44/5 (55/5)
RSV:
In hosp (including incidental) 109/11 (138/11)