Cases of COVID-19 infections on the rise in Alberta as summer approaches | COVID-19: everything about the pandemic

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and positivity rates have been increasing in Alberta since April, notably due to new variants considered very insidious.

As summer approaches, Albertans can expect another surge in COVID-19 cases due to a new round of variants, experts say.

We are seeing an increase in the number of cases in Canada and around the worldsays Sarah Otto, COVID-19 modeler and professor in the department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia.

This is due to new variants [et à] the evolution of this virusshe explains.

Sarah Otto adds that, unlike other respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 is unlikely to see a respite during the summer.

The KP.2 and KP.3 variants in question

Together, the KP.2 and KP.3 variants now represent more than half of the cases sequenced in Alberta.

They have changes that allow them to evade our immune systems and infiltrate, again, a little more easily.

Although Sarah Otto expects another increase, she does not foresee a spectacular surge over the summer.

According to Alberta’s latest statistics, 178 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 as a primary or contributing factor, 8 of whom are in intensive care.

The positivity rate has also increased and currently stands at 11.9%.

Get vaccinated to boost your immunity

According to the D^D Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta, says many of those hospitalized due to COVID-19 are older adults and people who are unvaccinated or insufficiently vaccinated. I think in some people, and in the community in general, immunity is waning.

People who are immunocompromised or at multiple risks could still consider receiving the currently available vaccine, which would provide additional protection for a period of time.

The D^D Saxinger says that with the vaccine update planned for the fall, it is important that people make their decision quickly in order to be eligible to receive the one expected to be released in November. years should check their vaccination history.”,”text”:”People aged over 65 should check their vaccination history.”}}”>People over the age of 65 should check their vaccination history.

She also urges people to get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms, rather than thinking it’s just a cold.

According to provincial data, 16.8% of Albertans have received the COVID-19 vaccine since August 2023.

Thirteen more deaths were reported last week, for a total of 605 since the end of August 2023. COVID-19 continues to cause many deaths. This is not a benign illness that can be ignored. It really harms our communityconcludes the D^D Saxinger.

With information from Jennifer Lee