Alberta's COVID-19 Cases Are Rising Again & Officials Say We're Not Ready To Reopen More

It isn't time for Step 2 just yet.
Alberta COVID-19 Update: We're Not Ready For Step 2 Yet
YourAlberta | YouTube
Contributor

On Monday, February 22, Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided an Alberta COVID-19 update to the public. 

The health official announced 273 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, 11 of which are new variants of concern. 

Editor's Choice: So Many People Are Actually Exempt From Canada's Quarantine Rules & This Is Why

1.03  Alberta's reproductive number

Dr. Hinshaw explained that "any time the reproductive number is greater than 1, it means that our cases are rising."

The province is currently in Step 1 of the four-phase reopening plan based upon hospitalization numbers. 

With 354 Albertans currently in the hospital with COVID-19, the province has reached the threshold to move into Step 2, but Dr. Hinshaw says they've opted to wait. 

"We are below the Step 2 threshold of hospitalizations, but we have seen growing cases in recent days," she said. 

"With that in mind, we will be taking the full three weeks to assess the data and assess the best way forward."

She said that "no decisions on moving to Step 2 will be made prior to March 1 at the earliest."

covid-19
CanadaNews
  • Britanny Burr
    Britanny Burr was a Staff Writer at Narcity Canada, who drove growth within Narcity's Western coverage and readership. Having lived between her hometown, Canmore, Alberta and Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC over the past 10 years, she is obsessed with finding the best local hot spots. She holds a B.A. in English and has over six years of professional writing experience as Head Writer and Editor for YUL.Buzz in Montreal, and Creative Copywriter at JAKT in NYC. News by day, poetry by night — the written word is Britanny's nearest and dearest.

Canada Pension Plan payments for January 2026 go out soon and rates just increased

A little extra money is coming your way this month. 💰

The CRA has announced a bunch of changes that could impact your 2025 tax return

From updated tax rates to new credits & deductions, here's what's new for 2025. 📝

Zellers plans to open new stores across Canada and here's what the locations could be like

The iconic Canadian retailer is focusing on affordability and nostalgia!

Canada's spring forecast is out and says the weather will still be snowy in these places

Most of the country will get cooler-than-normal temperatures this spring. 👀

Lotto Max winning numbers for Tuesday, January 20 are out and there's a $15 million jackpot

We have a winner, so check your tickets!

Toronto's population is officially shrinking — Here's where everyone is moving to

What's leading Toronto's sudden exodus? 😳

CSIS is hiring post-secondary students for these jobs that pay up to $34 an hour

You can work in finance, HR, engineering, communications, IT or other areas.

The best employers in Canada for 2026 were ranked and Ontario companies made the list

So many universities and local governments are top employers this year!

Canada's best employers for 2026 were revealed and these are the top companies to work for

Well-known employers like Microsoft, RBC, Costco, Apple, and Rogers made the ranking.

BC's 2026 spring weather forecast is out now and it's probably not what you're hoping for

Here's what to expect from the season ahead!