Alberta
Half of Red Deer COVID-19 cases recovered. Central Alberta COVID death occurred in Camrose (April 6 Update)
Information from covid19stats.alberta.ca
On Monday, April 6 the province made some interesting changes and additions of the provincial COVID-19 stats website.
Red Deer is no longer separated into 3 quadrants. But the report now indicates how many cases are active and how many are recovered.
Across Central Alberta there are 66 cases.
- Red Deer City – 25 cases – 13 active – 12 recovered
- Red Deer County – 13 cases – 11 active – 2 recovered
- Wetaskiwin City – 7 cases – 3 active – 4 recovered
- Mountain View County – 5 cases – 4 active – 1 recovered
- Lacombe County – 4 cases – 1 active – 3 recovered
- Lacombe City – 2 cases – 0 active – 2 recovered
- Camrose City – 2 cases – 0 active – 1 recovered – 1 death
- Beaver County – 2 cases – 2 active
- Camrose County – 1 case – 1 recovered
- Windburn County – 1 case – 1 recovered
- Vermilion River County – 1 case – 1 recovered
- Ponoka County – 1 case – 1 active
- Stettler County – 1 case – 1 active
- Kneehill County – 1 case – 1 active
- Clearwater County – 1 case – 1 active
In this graph you can see that Central and Southern Alberta zones have been very fortunate in the amount of cases per 100,000
This graph makes it look like all the regions in Alberta “might” be flattening the curve. Experts say it takes up to 5 days in a row to indicate this trend. It currently looks promising.
This graph compares the age categories in both actual number of cases, and as a rate per 100,000 people in each category.
Here are the total numbers for the province. In recent days the percentage of cases in Central Alberta has dropped from 8 to 5.
From the Province of Alberta
Latest updates
- A total of 953 cases are laboratory confirmed and 395 are probable cases (symptomatic close contacts of laboratory confirmed cases). Laboratory positivity rates remain consistent at two per cent.
- Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
- 817 cases in the Calgary zone
- 351 cases in the Edmonton zone
- 89 cases in the North zone
- 66 cases in the Central zone
- 22 cases in the South zone
- Three cases in zones yet to be confirmed
- Of these cases, there are currently 40 people in hospital, 16 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
- Of the 1,348 total cases, 204 are suspected of being community acquired.
- There are now a total of 361 confirmed recovered cases.
- One additional death has been reported in the Calgary zone. There have been 15 deaths in the Calgary zone, four in the Edmonton zone, four in the North zone, and one in the Central zone.
- Strong outbreak measures have been put in place at continuing care facilities. To date, 112 cases have been confirmed at these facilities.
- There have been 64,183 people tested for COVID-19 and a total of 65,914 tests performed by the lab. There have been 821 tests completed in the last 24 hours.
- Aggregate data, showing cases by age range and zone, as well as by local geographic areas, is available online at alberta.ca/covid19statistics.
- All Albertans need to work together to help prevent the spread and overcome COVID-19.
- Restrictions remain in place for all gatherings and close-contact businesses, dine-in restaurants and non-essential retail services. A full list of restrictions is available online.
- Alberta Health Services (AHS) has announced further restrictions for visitors to Alberta hospitals.
- AHS has expanded its testing criteria for COVID-19 to include symptomatic individuals in the following roles or age groups:
- Group home and shelter workers
- First responders, including firefighters
- Those involved in COVID-19 enforcement, including police, peace officers, bylaw officers, environmental health officers, and Fish and Wildlife officers
- Correctional facility staff, working in either a provincial or federal facility
- Starting April 7, individuals over the age of 65
- Anyone among these groups is urged to use the AHS online assessment tool for health-care workers, enforcement and first responders.
- Medical masks and respirators must be kept for health-care workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients. Those who choose to wear a non-medical face mask should:
- continue to follow all other public health guidance (staying two metres away from others, wash hands regularly, stay home when sick)
- wash their hands immediately before putting it on and immediately after taking it off (in addition to practising good hand hygiene while wearing it)
- ensure it fits well (non-gaping)
- not share it with others
- avoid touching the mask while wearing it
- change masks as soon they get damp or soiled
- As Albertans look forward to the upcoming holiday weekend, they are being reminded to:
- avoid gatherings outside of their immediate household
- find ways to connect while being physically separated
- worship in a way that does not put people at risk, including participating in virtual or live-streamed religious celebrations
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Alberta minister says patience running short for federal energy industry aid
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
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