Alberta sees fewer new COVID cases; top doc says reason is fewer tests on Christmas

EDMONTON – Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says there were an estimated 500 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Boxing Day, but she cautions the low number is a result of fewer tests being performed on Christmas Day.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw has been tweeting short COVID-19 updates over the last few days which contain estimated numbers of new cases.

Hinshaw reported Alberta saw an estimated 1,200 new cases on Dec. 24 and about 900 on Christmas Day.

She says in Sunday’s tweet that the number of hospitalizations and patients with COVID-19 in intensive care remains stable.

Here is today's #COVID19AB modified update:

On Dec. 26, there was an estimated:
– 500 cases
– 6,900 laboratory tests
– 7% positivity
– hospitalizations – stable
– ICU – stable

Please note: fewer people were tested Dec. 25 so fewer tests were processed and reported on Dec. 26

— Dr. Deena Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) December 27, 2020