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
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.