While one-third of residents have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Airdrie and its surrounding communities are still lagging behind the provincial average when it comes to immunization rates, according to the Alberta government's new regional map showcasing vaccine data throughout the province.
The government's interactive vaccine map, launched May 17, provides a regional breakdown of vaccine distribution throughout the province, including one-dose immunization percentages for multiple age groups.
“This map is a helpful tool for Albertans, and reflects our government’s commitment to transparency," said Premier Jason Kenney in a news release. "Since the start of this pandemic, Alberta has consistently provided more online information to Albertans than any other jurisdiction because we know that being informed helps us all to be part of the solution.”
According to the map, just under 34 per cent of residents in Airdrie and the surrounding area have been vaccinated as of the end of May 16, compared to a provincial average of 42.2 per cent.
Here is a breakdown of Airdrie's vaccination data, as per the map, including the percentage of people who have received at least one dose:
75 years and older: 81.5 per cent, (1,811 people)
60 to 74 years old: 77.3 per cent, (6,824 people)
40 to 59 years old: 51 per cent, (10,344 people)
20 to 39 years old: 26.2 per cent, (5,811 people)
12 to 19 years old: 19.8 per cent, (903 people)
In total, the map indicates 33.9 per cent of Airdronians – 25,738 people – have received one dose of vaccine.
Provincially, Alberta has administered 2,217,446 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the government figures, with 42.2 per cent of the province's population having received at least one dose. However, just 7.4 per cent of the total population are fully immunized with both doses.
New cases
Alberta reported 721 new infections on May 16. With 7,002 tests completed, the test positivity rate was 10.3 per cent. The new cases mean there are currently 21,288 active cases in the province, with 678 hospitalizations and 181 ICU admissions. According to the government's data, 2,148 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported.
At the local level, Airdrie is currently reporting 622 active cases – a drop of 25 cases from May 13. The city has recorded 3,589 total cases since the pandemic began, with 2,950 recoveries and 17 deaths resulting from the virus, according to statistics updated daily on Airdrie.ca
Regionally, Rocky View County reported 259 active cases as of May 16. Out east, Chestermere reported 173 active cases, while on the west side of the county, Cochrane saw 160 active cases as of the same date.
COVID-19 UPDATES: See the latest local and global COVID-19 information.
Even though students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 have been learning from home for nearly two weeks, cases are still confirmed at 16 schools in Airdrie, according to the provincial COVID-19 status map. Four local schools are reporting outbreaks of 10 or more cases, six are reporting outbreaks of five to nine cases and eight are reporting two to four cases each. For a full breakdown of Airdrie schools with COVID-19 infections, visit this link.
Provincial data
In terms of the more contagious COVID-19 variants of concern, the provincial total currently sits at 4,973 active cases, with 274 new variant cases identified on May 16.
Province-wide, Alberta recorded an R value of 0.84 last week. The R value, also known as the reproduction number, describes whether cases are currently increasing, decreasing or staying the same. According to Alberta.ca, the value indicates the average number of people that someone with COVID-19 will infect.
Here is a province-wide breakdown of Alberta's R value from May 10 to 16:
- Alberta provincewide: 0.84 (0.82-0.86)
- Edmonton Zone: 0.86 (0.82-0.89)
- Calgary Zone: 0.82 (0.80-0.84)
- Rest of Alberta: 0.85 (0.83-0.88)
