COVID-19 Update: Alberta reports 786 new cases, Omicron count hits 1,609 | New targeted measures announced | Alberta opens boosters to 18+

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Watch this page throughout the day for updates on COVID-19 in Calgary

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With news on COVID-19 happening rapidly, we’ve created this page to bring you our latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Calgary.

Article content What’s happening now Article content Mac’s International Hockey Tournament cancelled due to COVID-19

The Mac’s International Hockey Tournament is on hold for another year.

The committee made the announcement late Tuesday that it has pulled the plug on the annual under-18 event amid the latest wave of COVID, which is prompting a whole new set of protocols for travel and fan attendance.

“The Mac’s U18AAA Tournament Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Mac’s U18AAA Tournament presented by Circle K,” tweeted @MacsTournament. “With the rising cases and constantly changing environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, we feel it is not appropriate to execute the tournament as planned. This decision was made after weighing all options and is based on many factors.”

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New targeted health measures announced

Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Jason Copping announced further targeted health measures during a COVID-19 update today, due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

“What we do know is that this variant is more transmissible than any previous strain of the COVID-19 virus,” Kenney said during the press conference. “More must be done urgently to protect our health-care system from the potential threat of Omicron.”

New targeted measures include:

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“To be clear, those not participating in REP, are not permitted to offer indoor dining at any time,” Copping said. “On top of these measures, we are asking Albertans to take a close look at their plans and consider how they can reduce their interactions.”

Copping also asked Albertans to consider limiting social contact by at least 50 per cent.

“Look at going to one family dinner, instead of two,” he said. “In alignment with the current work-from-home order, we strongly encourage workplaces to cancel any holiday social gatherings, even if they are in a venue that is participating in the REP.”

The new restrictions are set to start at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 24.

‘Very concerned’: As Omicron rapidly spreads, Alberta places new restrictions on indoor events

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Alberta will see unprecedented COVID-19 case numbers driven by the Omicron variant, but the provincial government’s new measures will stop short of other provinces’ widespread shutdowns.

While 50 per cent capacity limits are being slapped on large venue events and an 11 p.m liquor-serving curfew imposed on bars, the province is putting the onus on rapidly increasing booster vaccinations to tamp down the raging new variant that now dominates new cases of COVID-19 in the province.

“Getting a booster shot is the single most important thing you can do,” Premier Jason Kenney said Tuesday.

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Alberta reports 786 new cases, Omicron count at 1,609

Here are updated COVID-19 numbers   released by Alberta Health Services this afternoon.

Article content Kenney, Copping, Hinshaw to provide COVID-19 update at 3:30 p.m. Article content

Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Jason Copping, and chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw are set to provide an update for Albertans at 3:30 p.m. The update can be viewed by clicking on the video above.

‘Jury is still out’ on Omicron severity, Tam says. Warns Canadians to minimize contacts over holidays

OTTAWA – Canada’s top doctor says the country is seeing the feared surge in Omicron cases and is warning people to keep their contacts down during the holidays because “the jury is still out” on the new variant’s severity.

Dr. Theresa Tam said Omicron cases, which first arose in South Africa and then spread to Europe, were taking increasing hold here. She said there were 900 identified cases of the variant on Monday, but that likely represented just the tip of the iceberg.

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“The cases of the Omicron variant are increasing rapidly, which is something that we probably anticipated would happen as we look towards other countries,” Tam said in an interview with the National Post on Tuesday.

She said so far Omicron cases in Canada have been mostly mild, but they have also been in age groups that have had mild cases throughout.

“The jury is still out on that front,” she said. “Our cases have also been symptomatic, but mild, some are asymptomatic, but the average age is actually still quite young.”

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Retail stores prep for final push of holiday shopping season

Local retailers are banking on a final push to the holiday shopping season as they dig themselves out from almost two years of pandemic and restrictions.

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The Discovery Hut is benefitting this year after the toy store took a risk in the fall of 2020 and opened a second location. The new store at CrossIron Mills kept them afloat last year, but now it is providing a boost to the business as customers return.

“This isn’t a make-or-break year for us, last year was,” said co-owner Stan Eisenberg. “We stuck our necks way out by opening that second location, it was a good move, we’re very happy we did it, and it’s given us a lot of stability for this year.

He said they are within a stone’s throw of hitting 2019’s sales levels and are optimistic they will reach those numbers over this final week. What is critical is the line of customers queuing up to get in, despite the 33 per cent capacity limits at both of their locations.

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Flames goalie Vladar latest to enter NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

More questions loom for the Calgary Flames as they head into an early Christmas break.

After three straight days of no positive COVID-19 tests, the team announced on Tuesday that Dan Vladar had entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

And while that definitely impacts the friendly Czech’s holiday plans — as he will be isolated and following the government’s mandatory 10-day quarantine policy after a positive test — it could also impact the Flames goaltending situation when they return to the ice.

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NHL decides against competing in Beijing due to COVID-19

The National Hockey League will not send its players to compete at the Beijing Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns as the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads globally, ESPN reported on Tuesday

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The NHL agreed last September to pause its regular season so the world’s top players could compete in Beijing with the caveat it could withdraw if COVID-19 disruptions forced games to be rescheduled during the Olympics window.

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Alberta expands boosters to anyone aged 18 and over

Alberta has dropped its age requirements for adults to get their COVID-19 booster shot starting immediately.

Previously, only those aged 50 or older were eligible for a booster, except in certain circumstances.

Now all Albertans aged 18 and older at five months or more from their second dose can book appointments for third doses online with participating pharmacies or AHS by using the Alberta vaccine booking system  or by calling AHS at 811.

Article content COVID developments across Canada on Tuesday

In Saskatchewan , new COVID-19 projections suggest case numbers will rise sharply without stronger public health measures, but the province is not expecting to tighten restrictions for the holidays.

In Manitoba , lower capacity limits and tighter public health restrictions for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people have come into force. Gyms, movie theatres and restaurants — where people have already been required to be vaccinated — are limited to half capacity.

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect. Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.

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Quebec’s spiralling number of daily COVID-19 infections hit a new high on Tuesday for the third straight day as new data showed the highly contagious Omicron variant accounting for nearly 80 per cent of new cases. The record 5,043 new cases came one day after the province imposed a series of strict measures aimed at slowing the spread of the disease, including an order for bars, gyms and concert halls to close.

Ontarians who resell rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits may be fined for doing so. Government and Consumer Services Minister Ross Romano says reselling the kits is considered a breach of government emergency orders that prohibit charging unfair prices for necessary goods.

Ontario is reporting 3,453 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths from the virus. Health Minister Christine Elliott says 805 of the cases are in people who aren’t vaccinated and 148 people have an unknown vaccination status.

Article content Rising COVID-19 cases lead to stronger measures across Canada to slow spread

Quebec reported a record number of COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, while a major Toronto hospital network has stopped non-essential care and surgery as the highly transmissible Omicron variant washes across the country.

Across the country, governments took steps to try and stem the number of cases and blunt the impact of Omicron.

In Montreal, Mayor Valerie Plante reintroduced a state of emergency as the number of active COVID-19 cases soared to over 8,000 in the city.

Health officials in Quebec reported 5,043 new cases of COVID-19 and eight additional deaths.

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Biden to deliver 500 million free tests, military doctors to battle surging Omicron

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President Joe Biden will send 500 million free coronavirus tests to Americans’ homes beginning next month and dispatch the military to shore up overwhelmed hospitals as the U.S. confronts a resurgent pandemic.

Biden will announce new measures to try to curb the virus on Tuesday, the day after the CDC said the omicron variant first identified in southern Africa now accounts for most new U.S. cases. He aims to boost testing, hospital care and vaccinations without any new lockdowns or closings.

He’ll also deliver a stark warning to the unvaccinated, a senior administration official said, telling them that they risk serious disease or death while assuring Americans who’ve gotten their shots that they can safely gather with their families over the holidays.

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Canadian divorce courts come down hard on anti-vaccine parents who deny COVID-19 pandemic

In a pandemic, conflict about vaccinating children can be “significantly polarizing,” according to a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.

That is especially true when the opposing parties are parents with shared custody asking a court to break their deadlock.

The Alberta judge’s  mid-December decision  to let a mother vaccinate her two children without the consent of their anti-vaccine father illustrates what has become the usual judicial response.

Canadian judges have recently come down just as hard on vaccine denialists as they regularly do on other conspiracy theorists who present misinformation to courts.

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COVID-19 restrictions on capacity, gatherings come into force in Manitoba

Tighter public health restrictions on gatherings and capacity for both vaccinated and unvaccinated Manitobans have come into force.

Private indoor gatherings with vaccinated people are limited to household members plus 10 other people. Gatherings that include anyone who is unvaccinated are limited to one household plus five guests.

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Monday NHL shuts down early for Christmas break due to COVID outbreaks among multiple teams

Christmas will come early for NHL teams, but not in a positive way.

The league was due to have no games from Friday through Sunday for a holiday break, but all games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday will be postponed and team facilities will be closed those days, too, due to COVID-19 outbreaks among multiple teams, the NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association announced Monday night.

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The last three games to be played ahead of the reported early shutdown were the Minnesota Wild at the Dallas Stars on Monday night and two games Tuesday: Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights.

The league already had officially postponed 44 games due to COVID issues.

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Monday Alberta reports 1,925 new cases over the weekend

Here are updated COVID-19 numbers   released by Alberta Health Services this afternoon.

Article content Monday Alberta reports a surge in Omicron variant cases over the last three days, six additional COVID-19 deaths

The number of Omicron variant cases identified in Alberta jumped from nearly 200 to more than 1,000 over the last three days, as the province reported 1,925 new cases of COVID-19.

With another 872 cases of the Omicron variant detected in the province since Alberta Health last updated the data on Friday, the total now sits at 1,045. Cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in all five of the Alberta Health Services zones, however, nearly 60 per cent of the cases are located in the Calgary zone — where COVID-19 is currently spreading most widely.

The Omicron variant was labelled a variant of concern by the World Health Organization in November because of its high number of mutations that early evidence suggested made it more contagious than the dominant Delta strain.

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Monday Scramble for COVID-19 rapid test kits continues as province vows millions more soon available

Calgarians continued to scour the city Monday in a hit-and-miss bid to secure COVID-19 rapid test kits.

But Alberta Health officials said millions more of the devices that are in massive demand — largely for upcoming Christmas gatherings — are on the way in the next 10 days.

“We have two million more tests on hand that will be distributed in the coming days and another one million additional tests (200,000 kits) with confirmed shipping dates later this month,” Alberta Health spokesman Michael Francoeur said in an email.

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Monday COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta: Here’s what you can do over the holidays

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As provinces across the country tighten restrictions on gatherings and limit capacity in stores, bars, and sporting events ahead of the holidays, the Alberta government adjusted the province’s public health measures to allow for less stringent gatherings.

On Dec. 15, Premier Jason Kenney  announced  more than two families are able to gather over the holidays and there are no longer additional gathering restrictions on those unvaccinated against COVID-19.

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Monday Foreign Affairs Minister Joly tests positive for COVID-19

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a rapid test.

Joly disclosed the result Monday on Twitter, saying she was in isolation awaiting the result of a PCR test.

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Joly did not say where or how she contracted COVID-19, or provide any details about the state of her health.

“She is waiting for confirmation through the PCR test result. Everyone who needed … has been notified of the result of the rapid test,” said Joly’s spokeswoman Maeva Proteau.

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Monday New COVID-19 restrictions in effect for parts of Canada; some productions cancelled

Tougher public health restrictions come into effect Monday in many parts of Canada as some regions are dealing with concerning COVID-19 case counts and rising hospitalizations.

In Quebec, the province announced 4,571 COVID-19 infections — a new single day record.

Bars, restaurants, retail stores, places of worship and entertainment activities in the province must now operate at half capacity, while all sports tournaments and competitions are suspended until further notice.

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New capacity restrictions are also in place in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

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Monday Flames reopen facility after third consecutive day with no further positive COVID cases

After three straight days without any additional positives, the Calgary Flames have reopened their training facilities at the Saddledome.

Most of their players remain in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol but those who did not test positive were allowed to return Monday to the rink and weight-room. That includes forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Blake Coleman, defenceman Michael Stone and goaltender Daniel Vladar.

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Monday Quebec brings back tough health measures as COVID-19 case numbers soar

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Amid rapidly growing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Quebec announced Monday it is bringing back tough new restrictions in an effort to stop the spread.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube called the situation “critical” as he announced that bars, movie theatres and entertainment venues will close as of 5 p.m. today, while restaurants will operate at reduced capacity and have to close at 10 p.m.

“With the increase of cases and hospitalizations, we must put in place new measures,” Dube told a virtual news conference.

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Monday British Columbia’s new COVID-19 restrictions to curb Omicron variant come into effect

New COVID-19 restrictions ranging from audience capacities on large venues to the number of people able to attend indoor gatherings are in effect today.

Health officials say the restrictions, which also include the cancellation of all New Year’s Eve parties, are being implemented over fears of the Omicron variant overwhelming B.C. hospitals.

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Monday Moderna says booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine appears protective vs. Omicron

Moderna Inc said on Monday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine appeared to be protective against the fast-spreading Omicron variant in laboratory testing and that the current version of the shot would continue to be its “first line of defense against Omicron.”

The vaccine maker said the decision to focus on the current vaccine, mRNA-1273, was driven in part by how quickly the recently discovered variant is spreading.

The company still plans to develop a vaccine to protect against Omicron and hopes to start clinical trials early next year, it said.

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Monday Evolutionary advantage? Why some people can’t help but faint at the sight of needles

For Lisa Robinson, it began in junior high while watching a first aid video. She suddenly slumped in her seat. Her friends caught her as she was sliding off her chair.

Robinson is a court reporter, a court stenographer. She’s fainted twice during examinations for discovery, or questioning of a witness under oath, while listening to testimony. One case involved a compound fracture, where bone penetrated skin, the other a vasectomy gone wrong. Once when she started feeling woozy, she asked for a minute and walked out of the law office and onto an elevator. She came to surrounded by paramedics. “Someone found me passed out in the elevator, and called 911.”

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