During the October 5th COVID-19 update, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw gave Albertans an update on serology testing being done by Alberta Precision Laboratories. Serology testing is  a type of test that identifies the presence of antibodies in the blood stream.

In June, the test revealed that 1.01 per cent of samples tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.  In more recent months, the tests have revealed fewer instances of antibodies.

“After continuing the study in July and August we have now analyzed more than 35,000 samples in total. What we found was that from early June to early August the proportion of people with antibodies did not increase. In fact, the July positivity rate was only 0.55 per cent across the province and the August positivity rate was 0.74 per cent,” said Dr. Hinshaw.

She believes the variation in the data is due to a variation in sampling. The more recent sample sizes have been smaller than those of the past.

“What this does tell us is that our swab testing program is almost certainly not missing large volumes of cases. It tells us that we are achieving what we set out to achieve and the protective measures that Albertans have been using have prevented widespread transmission,” said Hinshaw

The doctor noted that Albertans cannot hope for antibodies to build up over time in the population and that the current methods of reducing transmission will be most effective in the fight against COVID-19.

As the number of positive cases in Edmonton soared over the past few days, the doctor is also asking the province to be responsible when it comes to Thanksgiving this weekend.

 “I urge you to keep your gatherings limited to only your household and cohort members, no more. I ask that you keep your gatherings as small as possible, eat outdoors if possible, and don’t share serving spoons or dishes,” said Hinshaw.

New case numbers as of October 5th, 2020:

  • 218 new cases have been identified
  • 1,783 active cases in Alberta
  • 62 people are hospitalized with COVID-19
  • 14 people are currently in ICUs
  • 16,872 total recovered cases
  • 8 new deaths
  • 280 total deaths from the virus 
  • 1,067,184 tests have been performed in total 

Active case numbers in Central Alberta area:

  • 1 active cases in Lacombe County
  • 2 active case in the City of Lacombe
  • 4 active cases in the City of Red Deer
  • 0 active cases in Red Deer County
  • 4 active cases in Ponoka County
  • 0 active cases in the Town of Sylvan Lake
  • 2 active cases in Stettler County
  • 2 active case in Mountain View County

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