The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alberta continues to decline, but the rate of positive PCR tests in the province continues to rise.
There are now 552 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 16 patients in intensive care, Alberta Health said Wednesday. Last week, 568 people were in hospital, with 13 in intensive care.
The average PCR positivity rate in the province for the last seven days is 18.31 percent. The provincial seven-day average on July 1 was just over 15 percent, and a month ago it was 12.72 percent.
The province reported 1,361 new cases of COVID-19 in the week to July 11, although that number only includes those with a positive PCR test, not the results of rapid tests.
Most Albertans do not qualify for PCR testing, which is restricted to those at high risk or who live or work in high-risk environments. Starting next week, Albertans who need a PCR test to inform their medical treatment must have a referral from a medical professional.
Another 19 new COVID deaths were reported on Wednesday in the previous week, although the province removed 23 previously reported deaths from its data, bringing the province’s total to 4,632.
Of the entire Alberta population, including those who are not eligible, 77.4 percent of people have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine; 81.5 percent received at least one dose.
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