Airdrie's COVID-19 numbers have seen yet another dramatic rise, with 650 active cases reported on May 10 – an increase of 112 since May 7.
According to numbers updated daily on airdrie.ca, there has been a total of 3,347 cases locally since the pandemic began. Of those, 2,680 people have recovered and 17 deaths have been reported.
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The surge in numbers comes after the Province expanded vaccination to Albertans born in 1991 and earlier. On Monday, vaccinations opened up to Albertans born in 2009.
"Over 100,000 Albertans have already taken advantage of this opportunity, and on Monday, bookings will expand so that anyone born in 2009 or earlier can get their shot," said chief medical health officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw during an update on May 6. "That is incredibly exciting and I urge all Albertans to book as soon as they can."
She added while the news is positive, the Province is asking Albertans to remain patient while trying to book their vaccinations.
"Come Monday, there will be more than 3.8 million people now eligible," she said. "Alberta Health Services and pharmacies are working diligently to schedule everyone, but it will take some time to get all first doses booked. If you don’t get through right away, or can’t find an appointment immediately, please try again a few hours or a few days later."
As students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 resume learning from home this week, cases are confirmed at 18 schools in Airdrie, according to the provincial COVID-19 status map. Heloise Lorimer School, George McDougall High School, Bert Church High School and A.E. Bowers Elementary School are all listed under "outbreak" status, with more than 10 cases reported. École francophone d'Airdrie, Nose Creek Elementary School, École Edwards Elementary School, Our Lady Queen of Peace Elementary School, St. Martin de Porres High School, Herons Crossing School, Ralph McCall School and Windsong Heights School are all listed under "outbreak" status with five to nine cases reported.
St. Veronica School, W.H. Croxford High School, Footprints For Learning Society, C.W. Perry School, Meadowbrook Middle School and École Airdrie Middle School are all listed under "alert" status, with two to four cases reported.
According to Alberta.ca, 1,597 new cases were identified as of May 10, meaning there are 25,438 active cases in the province. The reported provincial numbers indicate 690 patients are in hospital with the virus and 158 Albertans are in intensive care units. In terms of the more contagious COVID-19 variants of concern, the provincial total currently sits at 10,673 active cases. Variant cases accounted for roughly 42 per cent of active cases in Alberta as of May 9.
In total, 2,117 deaths have been reported in Alberta from COVID-19, as of May 9.
While infections continue to increase, so too do the number of vaccines administered in Alberta. According to government data, 1,916,957 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Alberta, as of May 9. To date, 318,841 Albertans have been fully immunized with both doses of a vaccine.
Outside Airdrie city limits, Rocky View County's COVID-19 infections went down this week, with 281 active cases reported as of May 10 – a decrease of two since May 7.
Eleven schools in RVC are on the provincial COVID-19 status map; Springbank Middle School, Edge School, Springbank Community High School, Bearspaw School, Prince of Peace Lutheran School in Conrich, Elbow Valley Elementary School, W.G. Murdoch High School, Langdon School, Beiseker Community School, Crossfield Elementary School and Indus School.
Out west, Cochrane reported 217 active cases of the virus as of May 10. According to the school status map, seven Cochrane schools have confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks. Bow Valley High School, RancheView school and Cochrane High School are all listed under "outbreak" status, reporting more than 10 cases each. St. Timothy and Cochrane Christian Academy are also listed under "outbreak" status, reporting five to nine cases at each school. Glenbow Elementary School, Fireside school and Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School are all listed under "alert" status, having reported two to four active cases.
On the east side of the county, Chestermere reported 181 active cases as of May 10. Seven area schools are listed on the provincial COVID-19 status map; Chestermere Lake Middle School, Prairie Waters Elementary School and Chestermere High School are all listed under "outbreak" status, with 10 or more cases reported. St. Gabriel the Archangel, Our Lady of Wisdom and East Lake School are also listed under "outbreak" status, reporting five to nine cases. Rainbow Creek Elementary School is listed under "alert" status, reporting between two and four active cases.
