Alberta has added 402 new cases of COVID-19 today (March 3), from 10,362 tests completed for a positivity rate of about 3.9%.  

Right now, 4,649 cases are active in the province. With 372 more people recovering, the recovered total has reached 127,903. 

There’s 251 people in the hospital with the virus, with 48 of these in intensive care. This is 10 fewer hospitalizations than reported yesterday, and six fewer ICU admissions. In the North Zone, there’s 25 people in the hospital with one of these admitted to intensive care. 

Alberta has reported 12 more COVID-related deaths, for a total of 1,902 since the start of the pandemic.  

Sixteen more variant cases of COVID-19 have been found, for a total of 508. There have been 210 found in the Calgary Zone, 180 in the Edmonton Zone, 114 in the Central Zone, four in the North Zone and zero in the South Zone. 

There have now been 255,283 vaccine doses administered, with more than 89,000 people fully immunized with two doses. In the last week alone, almost 20,000 doses have been administered.  

Dr. Hinshaw announced today that those who book their first vaccine appointment starting March 10 could have their second dose extended to up to four months. This is to try and get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible, and is based on evidence from other parts of the world that shows the effectiveness of a first dose remaining for several months. As long as vaccine supply holds, it’s expected that any Albertan who wants a vaccine will be able to book by early summer.  

Those who have received their first dose already and/or have their second dose appointment booked will not be affected.  

In the City of Grande Prairie, 24 new cases were added, and 15 people recovered. The active total is 217 with 1430 recoveries.  

In the County of Grande Prairie, five new cases were added today, and one person recovered. There’s now 61 active cases and 409 recoveries. 

Peace Region totals: