Strategic COVID-19 Pandemic Committee

Why we can’t live with COVID-19, as we do with seasonal influenza, and why testing and restrictions need to continue.

COVID-19 Questions & Myths

If we stop testing, we will be unable to isolate infected people and quarantine the exposed. We would expect increasing community rates to result in high hospitalization rates and death, as happened with increased cases in December. There is no evidence of excess testing for COVID-19 in Alberta or Canada. 

Second, as stated by Dr. Hinshaw in January, COVID-19 has killed as many Albertans in 10 months as the seasonal influenza killed in the last 10 years. Total COVID-19 deaths were 1,073 in 2020 even with all of the measures taken, compared to our 2019 influenza season with 39 deaths (Alberta Health Services). COVID-19 is much more dangerous than seasonal influenza.

If COVID-19 is not contained by public health measures or immunization, a normal life is not possible. Our hospitals will be overwhelmed, affecting health care for all, and many will die. This is what happened in Sweden, which encouraged social distancing but did not have a lockdown.  Their hospital system has been overwhelmed and COVID-19 death rate has been much higher than any of its Northern European neighbours as reported by BBC News.

References:
i. COVID-19 has now killed more Albertans than last 10 flu seasons combined, CBC News
ii. Past Influenza Seasonal Data, Alberta Health Services
ii. Coronavirus: Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf says coronavirus approach 'has failed', BBC News