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High vaccine rollout prompts Alberta Health to loosen isolation requirements, scale back testing

65 per cent of Albertans fully vaccinated against coronavirus as of July 30
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Prompted by high vaccination numbers, the Alberta government is loosening many of the restrictions that Albertans have gotten used to over the past year, such as mandatory isolation for those who test positive. The move is not without criticism, however.

With more than 2.4 million Albertans now fully protected against COVID-19, the province is now shifting its approach to the pandemic by loosening isolation and masking requirements. 

On July 30, the province announced that 65 per cent of eligible Albertans have received two doses of vaccine through Alberta Health Services (AHS), community pharmacies and physician clinics. 

In addition, 75.8 per cent of eligible Albertans have received at least one dose of vaccine. The province hit the 75 per cent threshold roughly two weeks ago and progress in getting the vaccine out to more Albertans has been slow. 

“Vaccines are the most effective way to get past the pandemic. They’re safe and highly effective. This is another important milestone, but we will keep pushing for more and more Albertans to get the vaccine,” said Premier Jason Kenney, in a release. 

On July 28, Health Minister Tyler Shandro and chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced that Alberta's approach to the virus would be changing as a result of strong vaccine uptake. 

As of now, close contacts of positive cases will no longer be required to isolate, only recommended. (Isolation of positive cases and those exhibiting symptoms is still required.) 

Asymptomatic testing is also no longer required, and contact tracers will no longer notify close contacts of exposure. 

A raft of measures will still remain in place for the first half of August, such as requiring masking in in acute and continuing care facilities, public transit, taxis and ride-shares.  

Contract tracers will also still investigate cases in these high-risk settings and outbreak management will still focus on these environments. (High community outbreaks will be addressed as needed.) 

Then, on Aug. 16, all provincial mandatory masking orders will be lifted (though some continuing care facilities may still require them) and individuals will no longer be required to isolate following a positive COVID-19 test — instead, they should just stay at home until their symptoms resolve. 

Isolation hotels and quarantine supports will no longer available, and testing for COVID-19 will be limited strictly to patients who symptoms whose cases are severe enough that they require hospitalization. 

“COVID-19 is still with us but we are now in a place where we need to manage it through vaccinations and the proven public health measures used for other communicable viruses,” said Hinshaw. 

“We expect to see increased influenza and other viruses this year, and these changes will make sure the health system is ready and able to support all Albertans in the months ahead.” 

This new approach to the pandemic has stirred some controversy as protests were organized in Calgary and Edmonton on July 30 over the new measures. 

On July 29, NDP Leader Rachel Notley called for a reversal of Alberta Health’s decision to end COVID-19 isolation protocols and the discontinuation of contact tracing and testing. 

“I’m so struck by the recklessness of this decision,” she said. “I simply want to say to all the people who have agency over this decision-making that they all need to take responsibility and … not move in this direction until we are significantly more successful at getting an adequate number of Albertans vaccinated.” 

As of July 30, there were no active COVID-19 cases in Westlock County, Athabasca County or the County of Barrhead according to the geospatial map that lists COVID-19 cases within municipalities throughout Alberta.

Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com



Kevin Berger

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