COVID-19 live updates: CAF nurses head to Alberta; Pfizer submits trial data on vaccine use in children aged 5 to 11 to Health Canada

Article content

COVID-19 news happens rapidly, we have created this file to keep you up-to-date on all the latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Edmonton.

Article content

What’s happening now

Article content

Share your COVID-19 stories

As Alberta grapples with a fourth wave of COVID-19 at the start of another school year, we’re looking to hear your stories on this evolving situation.

7:52 a.m.

Study suggests Pfizer/BioNTech antibodies disappear in many by seven months

National Post

Article content

Six months after receiving the second dose of the two-shot vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE, many recipients no longer have vaccine-induced antibodies that can immediately neutralize worrisome variants of the coronavirus, a new study suggests.

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 46 healthy, mostly young or middle-aged adults after receipt of the two doses and again six months after the second dose.

“Our study shows vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine induces high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the original vaccine strain, but these levels drop by nearly 10-fold by seven months” after the initial dose, Bali Pulendran of Stanford University and Mehul Suthar of Emory University said by email.

Article content

In roughly half of all subjects, neutralizing antibodies that can block infection against coronavirus variants such as Delta, Beta, and Mu were undetectable at six months after the second dose, their team reported on Thursday on bioRxiv ahead of peer review.

Read more

Sunday

Military nurses expected to help fight Alberta’s COVID-19 by Monday: federal minister

Lisa Johnson

Up to eight critical care nurses from the Canadian Armed Forces are expected to be in Alberta hospitals by Monday to help deal with the fourth wave of COVID-19.

“We are always ready to help Canadians across the country during difficult times, and this pandemic has been no different. The Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Red Cross, and health professionals have stepped up time and again over the past 19 months to answer the call to protect people, and I want to thank all those on the front lines who continue to keep Canadians safe,” Blair said in the release.

Article content

The Canadian Red Cross is planning to provide up to 20 medical professionals, some with ICU experience, to help or relieve staff working in hospitals in the province, and is finalizing its plan with Alberta Health Services to send its personnel where they are needed.

Read more

Saturday

Why would some Albertans take Johnson & Johnson, but not another COVID-19 vaccine?

Jason Herring, Calgary

Article content

Friday

MLAs would have to vote to require vaccinations inside the legislature’s chamber: Speaker

Article content

Sign up for our COVID newsletter:

https://edmontonjournal.com/newsletters/

Letter of the day

Make sure to include the entire UCP caucus when it comes to blame for the fourth wave burning through Alberta. Rather than working together on solutions, several UCP MLAs including the speaker and deputy speaker attend the Free Alberta Strategy meeting. Their whole existence is to blame the federal government for all our ills, as 600-plus million dollars of federal aid targeted for Alberta goes unspent.

They are more concerned about cancelling the RCMP and getting their hands on my CPP and EI to “invest” in their questionable schemes than manage the pandemic making us a laughingstock.They are more concerned about cancelling the RCMP and getting their hands on my CPP and EI to “invest” in their questionable schemes than manage the pandemic making us a laughingstock.

Article content

Perry Assaly, Edmonton

Read more letters to the editor

Letters Welcome

We invite you to write letters to the editor. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don’t publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email: letters@edmontonjournal.com

Friday

Updated: Saskatchewan woman who was scared after Alberta surgery cancelled says it is back on

The Canadian Press

A Saskatchewan woman who is worried about losing her eyesight or possibly dying because her surgery for a rare cancer was cancelled in Alberta says the operation has been quickly rescheduled for next week.

Article content

Sharon Durham said she learned late Friday afternoon that the surgery is set for next Thursday in Edmonton. She had been told earlier in the week it was off, she said, because she’s not an Alberta resident and the province’s hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

Friday

Alberta announces 1,630 new cases of COVID-19, 14 more deaths

Anna Junker

Alberta reported 1,630 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday after 15,857 tests were completed over the last 24 hours for a positivity rate of about 10.3 per cent.

Article content

Across the province, there are currently 20,215 active cases of COVID-19, a decrease of 40 from Thursday.

There are 1,066 Albertans hospitalized with the virus, a decrease of 17. Of those, 263 are in intensive care units, which remains unchanged from Thursday.

Fourteen more deaths from COVID-19 raised the provincial death toll to 2,731.

Read more

Friday

N.L. sending small team of health-care workers to help Alberta battle COVID-19

The Canadian Press

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Krista Balsom said she couldn’t help but smile when she heard there were health-care workers heading to help Alberta battle COVID-19 from the military, the Canadian Red Cross — and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Newfoundland always punches above its weight,” Balsom said in interview Friday. She’s from Random Island, near the central Newfoundland community of Clarenville. Like thousands of others from the East Coast province, she now lives in Fort McMurray, the northern Alberta oilsands town, after her family was lured there for work.

Article content

Friday

Not everyone wants a Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine. Why not offer them something else?

National Post

Article content

Millions of eligible Canadians have so far chosen not to be vaccinated against COVID. In an attempt to sway some, to move the vaccine needle further amid a fourth wave of this tiresome virus, some provinces are seeking doses of the single-shot Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney this week received a promise of 20,000 doses from the federal government. Saskatchewan is also “actively pursuing” a supply of Janssen. Both provinces share the unenviable position of having the lowest vaccination rates in the country, and burning COVID fires.

The message had filtered through to Kenney that it might help to offer those holding out a “fresh choice,” a government source said, “something different” than the mRNA vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

Article content

J&J is a viral vector vaccine like AstraZeneca, which Alberta and other provinces stopped offering in May after the National Advisory Committee on Immunization said Pfizer and Moderna were the preferred vaccines, because of a rare risk of a blood-clotting disorder. Before then, thousands of AZ appointments went unused in Alberta, while in Ontario, people anxious for the shots hustled to find a pharmacy amid confusion and news reports of the potential side effects. Critics accused NACI’s characterization of the mRNA vaccines for triggering buyer’s remorse and brand shopping.

Article content

Article content

Friday

‘Cold-blooded’ handling of the pandemic, says prominent Alberta doctors in letter to UCP government

Hamdi Issawi

On Friday, an open letter from prominent Alberta doctors requested the province share it’s predictive modelling for the fourth wave of a pandemic that’s crippling Alberta’s health-care system, criticizing the government’s “cold-blooded,” handling of the pandemic.

Co-written by Drs. James Talbot, Alberta’s former chief medical officer of health, and Noel Gibney, a former critical care department head for province’s health authority in Edmonton, the letter questioned the modelling that led the provincial government to decline assistance from Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, which they say is “badly needed and welcome.”

Article content

“Like most Albertans, we would like to know how long the fourth wave is going to last, how many more Albertans are projected to die and when we can expect elective surgeries to begin and ICUs to return to normal,” the letter read.

Read more

Friday

A lucky woman from Sherwood Park is $1 million richer after winning the final draw in Alberta’s vaccine Lottery

Hayley Hauck of Sherwood Park is the final winner of the $1 million prize in Alberta’s vaccine lottery.

Her name was drawn at random from more than 1,935,951 entries that were received between June 10 and Sept. 23.

In total, 623 Albertans have received lottery prizes, including three $1 million cash prizes, travel, sports and entertainment prizes.

To date, 83.6 per cent of eligible Albertans have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including 74.3 per cent who are now fully vaccinated.

Article content

Alberta Minister of Health Jason Copping says that vaccines are safe and save lives.

“While we have awarded the last $1-million prize, I would like to remind those who are considering getting their doses that there are still $100 debit cards up for grabs. Now, more than ever, we need Albertans to step up and get both doses to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.” Copping said in a Friday news release.

Get vaccinated and register for $100 vaccine incentive

All Albertans 18 and older who receive a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine between Sept. 3 and Oct. 14 are eligible to receive a $100 prefilled debit card. Register online at https://www.alberta.ca/vaccine-debit-card.aspx to find available appointments with AHS or participating pharmacies across the province.

Article content

Some clinics are offering walk-in appointments for first doses.

Friday

Alberta adds QR codes for immunization records

Kellen Taniguchi

Albertans can now download their Restriction Exemption Program QR code, however, it cannot be scanned yet.

According to the provincial website, the AB COVID Records Verifier app will be launched to scan the codes soon.

“The UCP has had weeks to develop a secure vaccine passport system. Every day without one further risks public health, the personal information of Albertans and damage to our economy,” said Deron Bilous, NDP Critic for Economic Development and Innovation in a Friday news release.

The development of a QR code comes on the heels of the provincial government receiving criticism when it first launched its Restrictions Exemption Program card because it was too easy to edit and potentially falsify the document.

Article content

Meanwhile, Manitoba, Quebec and B.C. have all introduced scannable QR codes for proof of vaccination and Saskatchewan launched their QR code system on Wednesday.

“There is no reason for delays from the UCP. Other jurisdictions have already moved forward with this and Alberta is falling behind. As a result, they’re downloading responsibility on to businesses in the middle of this crisis,” said Bilous. “We need leadership from the government. We need a simple, secure and scannable vaccine passport.”

Read more

Friday

‘Just so tired:’ Long-term health risks to children rise as spread of COVID-19 surges in Alberta

Blair McBride

Keaton Louttit, 13, caught the UK variant of COVID-19 in April, pummeling him with three days of high fevers, tiredness and intense headaches.

Article content

After 10 days, most symptoms disappeared except the fatigue that has dogged him ever since.

“I used to be way more energetic and involved with things like family walks,” he told Postmedia. “Now I won’t do them because I’m just too tired. Sometimes I don’t feel like hanging out with my friends because I’m just so tired.”

He was vaccinated in July, however that didn’t alleviate his fatigue.

“I zone out in class (at school). I wouldn’t realize what we just did in the lesson,” he said.

His family doctor told Keaton’s mother Katie Louttit that his condition is very similar to what some adult patients are experiencing months after their COVID diagnosis. The lingering headaches, insomnia, weakness and memory loss can last months and have come to be known as Long COVID.

Article content

Rising COVID infections among children

New cases in children aged 0 to nine have been rising weekly since mid-July, according to Alberta Health data. There were 31 cases in that age group the week of July 12-18, then they increased to 90 the following week and have been going up ever since. Infections for that age group have exceeded 1,100 cases each week starting the Sept. 6 to 12 period.

For the Sept. 22 to 28 period — the most recent data available — there were 1,821 cases in kids 0-9, with 1,224 in the age five to nine bracket.

Children between the ages of five and 11 currently have the highest rate of infection, on a rolling seven-day average, of all age groups in Alberta, with 68.57 cases per 100,000 population.

Hospitalizations are lower than infections, and 54 children aged 0-9 have been sent to hospital since mid-July, with eight ICU admissions. There were 34 hospitalizations in September alone.

Article content

Read more

Friday

Alberta doctor describes calling woman about her mother’s impending COVID-19 death

“Hi Jane. This is Dr. Bakshi calling from Edmonton. I am not sure if you’re aware, but your mom Anne was admitted to the COVID ward about two hours ago. I’m calling because she is not doing well, and will likely not survive the day.”

Deafening silence, followed by a chilling shriek, tears, gasping for air trying to form words. Phone clicks. Five minutes pass, and I call again.

“Hi, Jane. I know that was a lot to take in.”

Through her tears, Jane responds: Yes. I’m so sorry for hanging up on you. I was shocked. I didn’t even know she wasn’t well, I spoke to my mom two days ago. I am in B.C. I won’t make it in time, will I?

“I don’t think so, Jane. I am so sorry…. Jane, tell me about your mom.”

Article content

Jane takes a deep breath: Mom is a fierce and spunky 75-year-old with the spirit of a 30-year-old. She loves to dress to the nines and is always laughing. And always told us she wanted to die on her own terms.

As Jane begins sobbing again: Doc, there’s really nothing you can do? Can I see her? What will I say to her? Is she awake?

“Jane, your mom is awake, and as fierce as ever. But her oxygen saturations are down to 80 per cent, and we have her on maximal oxygen. She does not wish to be placed on a ventilator, and this sounds consistent with what you’ve told me about mom. Would you like me to arrange Zoom?”

Read more