Alberta Health Services alters visitation rules at hospitals, acute care facilities
Friends, family and support workers of patients in Alberta hospital and acute care facilities are being encouraged to find other ways to connect with their loved ones instead of in-person visits.
The move comes as the province is in the midst of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and under a state of public health emergency with new restrictions in place.
Alberta Health Services announced Friday that, effective Sept. 20, designated support and visitation access will be altered at "all acute, ambulatory and emergency/urgent care sites" in the province.
"This was decision was not made lightly," said AHS officials in a series of social media posts. "We know the importance of family presence for patients and staff, and we understand how difficult adjustments in access are for all involved.
"We encourage patients, family and friends to connect in other ways, including virtually or by phone, whenever possible rather than in-person at our sites."
The province announced Thursday that 86 per cent of its 310 intensive care unit beds are currently occupied, predominantly by COVID-19 patients.
As of Thursday, there are 18,706 active cases in Alberta including 896 hospitalizations. More than 2,500 Albertans have died as a result of COVID-19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.