Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw discussed a rare but serious condition that has been occurring internationally in a very small number of those who have received an mRNA vaccine.

“The WHO, CDC, and the European Medicine Agency have reported rare instances of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. In both conditions, the body’s immune system causes inflammation often in response to infection or some other trigger,” said Hinshaw.

She noted that the condition is being reported in younger males most often after their second dose of the vaccine. The reports are very rare and it is not known if there is a relationship between the condition and the vaccines.

During the update, she also hoped to encourage more Albertans to get their COVID-19 vaccine by sharing recent data that demonstrates effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Since January 1, 2021 the province has seen the following statistics:

  • 96 per cent of COVID-19 cases were either not vaccinated or diagnosed within two weeks of receiving their first dose while immunity was still building.
  • 0.2 per cent of people got COVID-19 after 14 days had passed since their first dose.
  • 93 per cent of COVID-19 cases requiring hospital care were not vaccinated or requiring care within two weeks of receiving their first dose while immunity was still building.

June 3rd new case numbers:

  • 296 new cases of the virus for June 2nd
  • 5,831 active cases in Alberta
  • 411 people are hospitalized
  • 120 people admitted to ICUs
  • 5 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours
  • 2,236 total deaths from the virus

Active case numbers in the Central Alberta area:

  • 33 active cases in the City of Lacombe
  • 31 active cases in the County of Lacombe
  • 218 active cases in the City of Red Deer
  • 50 active cases in the County of Red Deer
  • 76 active cases in the County of Ponoka
  • 27 active cases in the Town of Sylvan Lake
  • 12 active cases in the County of Stettler
  • 22 active cases in the County of Mountain View

**Not all cases in the Central Zone have been included.