"Dr. Deena Hinshaw has been providing daily updates via the website on the pandemic and those have been important. Another vaccination effort was announced yesterday, a booster effort for Albertans at risk," said Travis Toews. " So we have not been silent and again I have full confidence in our medical director of health that she will continue to provide the appropriate updates at the appropriate time. "
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He denied the suggestion that the government abdicated responsibility during the fourth wave, which is being driven by the highly contagious Delta variant.
Albertans have pointed to the silence of leaders as cases increase, students return to school, and health measures are not reintroduced as examples.
"I'd say it's a completely false premise," Toews said, again pointing to Hinshaw's daily Twitter updates and the fact that they answered questions today.
He added that due to the increased level of immunity through vaccines, this wave will not have the same effect as other waves on the health system, "particularly the capacity of the ICU."
Toews said the fourth wave was expected to be "a bit bumpy," but they are following the advice of the chief medical officer for health.
Some municipal governments, school divisions, and private companies have instituted their own health measures, such as mask mandates and vaccination requirements.
This week, a group of doctors and health experts started a Protect our province: COVID Briefing campaign, providing updates on the fourth wave and answering questions from the media.
