10 Delta variant cases connected to outbreak at Calgary hospital were fully immunized
Alberta’s top doctor confirms 10 people connected to COVID-19 Delta variant outbreaks at Calgary’s Foothill Medical Centre were fully immunized before testing positive for the disease.
“What we're monitoring now is whether or not they had, as we would expect, a milder course of illness,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, during Thursday’s provincial COVID-19 briefing.
According to Alberta Health Services, one dose of an mRNA vaccine — like Pfizer and Moderna— offers 73 per cent protection against the alpha variant. That immunity bumps up to 91 per cent with a second dose.
When it comes to the Delta variant strain, first identified in India, a first dose offers 33 per cent protection, and second dose 88 per cent.
“While we can see a few cases that have broken through the vaccine, the vast majority of people who are vaccinated will have protection,” said Hinshaw.
As of Friday, AHS confirms 16 cases of the B.1.617.2 variant in patients on two units at Foothills Medical Centre. Six healthcare workers have also tested positive for the variant.
Six of the patient cases and five health-care workers had received two doses of vaccine prior to becoming sick while seven patients and one health-care worker had just one dose.
MAJORITY HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS
AHS says while the spread of the variant is a concern at both hospitals, most of the infected individuals have only had mild symptoms of the disease.
"It’s important to remember that even after immunization, it’s still possible to contract COVID-19. However, if immunized with either one or two doses, people are less likely to experience severe illness or require hospitalization," said Kerry Williamson, executive director of communications with AHS.
"For example, in the case of these two outbreaks, only one of the 22 people have required ICU care. The majority of both patients and healthcare workers have experienced mild symptoms."
Williamson adds vaccines are 33 per cent effective against Delta variant after the first dose and 80 per cent effective following the second.
The hospital has experienced several outbreaks over the course of the pandemic, but this is the first involving the Delta variant.
The hospital remains open and has capacity to treat all patients, though AHS said the two units affected by the outbreaks are not accepting admissions. Patient transfers to long-term care centres from the two units with the Delta variant are also on hold.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.