With the arrival of March, it feels like there is a slight changing of the winds in effect. While there is still a lot to dwell negatively on with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, recent days have mercifully brought some positive headlines.
Yes, the Alberta government’s online booking tool for vaccination appointments crashed after it was first rolled out, but after that early hiccup, more than 100,000 Albertans over the age of 75 were able to book their appointments on the first day. Health Minister Tyler Shandro said more than half of the province’s residents over 75 years old have either been vaccinated or have appointments scheduled to receive the shot.
As of press time for this week's issue, nearly 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Alberta, with more than 80,000 Albertans fully vaccinated against the virus. The increased number of vaccinations has surely led to Alberta’s steadily declining COVID-19 hospitalization rates. On Feb. 25, the provincial government reported 280 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 – well below the threshold for phase two of the government’s easing of public health restrictions.
People have known since the pandemic began that the most vulnerable population segment for suffering severe consequences of COVID-19 is the elderly. As more Alberta seniors receive their immunizations in the coming weeks, the number of virus-related hospitalizations should continue to drop. That should hopefully bring more normalcy back to the lives of Albertans.
Yes, people will continue to contract COVID-19 for months to come, but the harshness of a 30-year-old’s COVID-19 infection is typically not nearly as severe as someone who is 80 or 90 years old. The average age of death for Albertans who contract COVID-19 is 82 years old, according to government figures, while the average age of hospitalization from the virus is 63.
Away from pandemic-related news, March also brings longer days and warmer weather. Spring is finally on the horizon, after what has probably felt for many people like a longer-than-usual winter.
