Calgary more than doubles COVID-19 active case numbers in a week
As the province has set a date to drop most of its COVID-19 restrictions, statistics indicate that the number of active cases in the city of Calgary have jumped.
According to the latest data, which consists of the figures recorded as of July 29, there are 796 active cases of COVID-19. A week ago, on July 22, that number was 367.
A further look at the data released by Alberta Health Services (AHS) shows that cases have surged in all health regions in the city, including in Calgary-Lower Northwest, where there were zero active cases on July 12.
AHS said the region now has 38 active cases.
On Friday, a group of individuals, concerned with the province's plan to drop many of the COVID-19 guidelines next month, rallied outside McDougall Centre, the UCP government's seat of power in Calgary.
The demonstration included a number of doctors and had a speech from Dr. Joe Vipond, a Calgary ER physician who has been very outspoken throughout the pandemic.
"It's insane, it's this incredible experiment of how many people we can get sick," he said.
On Saturday, a similar rally was held on the steps of the Alberta legislature. Organizers there said they sought to dispel the "misinformation" about the pandemic and open lines of communication.
"We need to get this message out," said Albert Nobbes, member of the Alberta Activist Collective and organizer of the event. "We can't let this government proceed with dropping the ball in every angle."
However, despite the increase in cases, AHS has not recorded a death due to COVID-19 in the city since July 6.
There have been 624 deaths associated with the disease in Calgary since the beginning of the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.