alberta
Note: This tab is no longer being updated, only historical data is presented.
For the most recent data, please see the Alberta Health website.

The COVID-19 Response

Alberta's Pandemic Response

Centre for Health InformaticsCumming School of MedicineUniversity of Calgary

Wastewater Sampling

Click on each individual community to reveal SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater over time. Wastewater samples are collected, processed and reported by teams at the University of Alberta (blue) and the University of Calgary (red) using different protocols. This means that direct comparisons between sites using different protocols are not possible. Comparing sites is also problematic because different communities have different proportions of residential and industrial water use contributing to their municipal wastewater. The most important signals to compare are within a given community by following trends over time. Because wastewater is not homogenous, sample-to-sample variation may occur. By default, a line for the rolling average (last 3 points) is presented alongside the individual data points. However, the option to see a line of only the exact data points is available. For a tutorial on how best to use and interpret this data please see; Explaining COVID-19 Wastewater Tracker.

Variants of Concern in Wastewater

This figure summarizes Omicron variant PCR assays that differentiate the BA2 and BA5 sub-variants in wastewater samples for the indicated locations and dates. Both assays capture a range of sub-lineages on the basis of spike protein mutations in the genome. The BA2 assay encompasses XBB and other sub-lineages (e.g., BA.2.75, BH, etc). The BA5 assay encompasses BQ and other sub-lineages (e.g., BE.1.1, BF.7, BF.14, etc). The two assays differentiate broadly between BA2 and BA5 sub-variants, but do not differentiate between the sub-lineages within either group.

Severe Cases Summary

The data presented below is an overview of the severe cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. The weekly average number of cases in the hospital, the ICU, and the weekly deaths are provided. Additionally, the percent change from the previous week is displayed.

Severe cases in Alberta

This figure shows severe cases by zone. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions can be viewed, with the option to change between the weekly average percent of active cases, and absolute values.

Fatalities in Alberta

This figure displays fatalities caused by COVID-19. The option to see cumulative or daily values is available, along with the option to see absolute values, the fatality rate, or the weekly average.

Weekly Deaths by Age Group in Alberta

This figure shows the weekly cases which resulted in deaths, separated into three age groups. Deaths are reported for the first date of the confirmed case. Selecting 'Population Adjusted' will show the values per 100,000 people.

COVID-19 Testing in Alberta

This figure shows the number of daily tests performed in the selected zone. The weekly average positive testing rate is also displayed if all of Alberta is selected. Reporting from Alberta Health for tests by zone ended March 17th, 2022

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Alberta

Use the dropdown menu to select a health zone within Alberta. This figure shows the number of daily confirmed cases within the chosen health zone.

Active cases in Alberta

This figure shows the number of active cases within the selected zone. The crude option presents the total number of active cases, while the population adjusted option shows the number of active cases per 100,000 people in the selected zone. Reporting from Alberta Health for this figure ended March 18th, 2022.

Severe COVID Outcomes by Age Groups and Vaccine Outcomes in Alberta

This figure displays the expected hospitalizations or deaths by vaccination status, per 100,000 people, broken down into age groups. Hospitalizations and deaths by vaccine status are reported as far back as June 4, 2021. Ratios display the unvaccinated rate divided by the vaccinated rate within each age group.

Cases by Age Group in Alberta

Use the dropdown menu to select a health zone within Alberta. This figure breaks down confirmed cases by age group. Hover over the lines to see precise numbers for each day. Cumulative and daily values can be seen, and it is possible to view the number of cases per 100,000 people in each age bracket. The age brackets displayed can also be toggled.

Rate of COVID-19 Cases in Pregnant Women

This figure displays the rate of COVID cases in pregnant individuals in Alberta. This is the number of COVID cases in pregnant individuals over the total number of deliveries during the year 2020 in Alberta. Both values are adjusted for 100,000. Each datapoint contains the rate for the week starting on the presented date.

Proportion of COVID-19 Severe Outcomes in Pregnant Women

This figure displays the proportion of hospitalizations and ICU admissions in pregnant women (identified in the Discharge Abstract Database). We have provided both the denominator of patients with a COVID-19 infection in pregnancy as well as patients with a COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and who have delivered.

COVID-19 Outbreak Proportions in Alberta

This figure displays the proportion of outbreaks for each category, as well as the cases and deaths for outbreaks. By default, three broad categories are displayed. Selecting one of the categories will show a more comprehensive breakdown of that category.

COVID-19 Outbreaks in Alberta

This figure displays the outbreaks of COVID-19 within the selected zone. The size of the bubble indicates the number of cases, and the colour indicates the type of outbreak. The types of outbreaks to display can be toggled, and the minimum number of cases for an outbreak to be displayed can be set.

Variants of COVID-19 in Alberta

This figure displays the prevalence of variants of COVID-19 in Alberta. By default, the figure shows the daily number of identified cases of the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Delta (B.1.617.2), Gamma (P.1) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants. Selecting 'Percent' will show the percent of all COVID-19 cases for the day that belong to each variant.

Note: As of May 1st, 2021, variant cases are now based on information on a sample of positive cases only and should be interpreted with caution. Reporting from Alberta Health for this figure ended March 18th, 2022.

How do the Variants Compare?

This figure compares the trajectories of the original strain of COVID-19 to the Alpha (B.1.1.7) and the Delta (B.1.617.2) variants. It displays how fast the virus grew, starting from when there were 10 cases discovered. Reporting from Alberta Health for this figure ended March 18th, 2022.

Proportion of Active Variants of COVID-19 in Alberta

This figure displays the proporition for each variant of all of the active variant cases. Reporting from Alberta Health for this figure ended March 17th, 2022.

Proportion of Sources of Transmission for Active Cases

This figure shows the proportion of how cases are being transmitted. Prior to June 25th, "Close Contact" and "Outbreak" were grouped together, under "Known". As per exposure criteria established by Alberta Health, a close contact is anyone who, during the infectious period has lived with or was within two metres of a person who has COVID-19 for 15 minutes, even if a mask was worn during that contact. This includes cumulative contact where multiple interactions add up to 15 minutes or more. A close contact could also be someone who had direct physical contact (handshake, hugging, kissing) with an infectious person or direct contact with their bodily fluids, such as being coughed or sneezed on. Wearing a non-medical mask is not sufficient to exempt you from being considered a close contact. Reporting from Alberta Health for this figure ended March 17th, 2022.