Pop-up vaccine clinic opens in Lac La Biche’s Provincial Building
LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County continues to see high volumes of COVID-19 cases after numbers spiked over the last three weeks. Through the weekend, active case numbers in Lac La Biche County hovered around 165, down from a mid-week historic high of 207.
Of the active cases, four patients are now being treated at the William J. Cadzow Healthcare Centre for complications related to COVID.
Since the pandemic began, the Lac La Bcihe region has recorded 11 deaths related to the virus. Across the northern zone of the province, there have been 166 deaths.
In recent weeks, the surge in local cases has put the Lac La Biche region into the province’s top “hot-spot” for active cases of the coronavirus based on populations of 100,000. With increased cases, and some local residents now needed hospitalization, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is re-assuring residents facing a hospital visit.
“The William J. Cadzow- Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre remains a safe place to receive care – there is no increased risk to patients coming to the hospital,” says a statement from AHS. “Any patient with symptoms, or who has tested positive for COVID-19, is isolated and treated in designated rooms.”
Across Alberta’s North Zone, 95 people are being treated in hospital with 16 in ICU.
Pop-Up Clinics
In order to combat rising infections rates in the North, AHS has generated pop-up clinics at various locations.
To ensure the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed as efficiently as possible to our target populations and to ensure health resources are available to support the urgent needs of all Albertans adjustments to immunization services been made, says AHS.
Beginning May 13, a portion of the Lac La Biche Provincial Building has been temporarily transformed into a COVID-19 Vaccination Centre.
Individuals interested in booking an appointment at the Provincial Building must do so online or by calling Healthlink at 811, says AHS.
Appointments are only available to the public during weekdays.
Metis pop-up clinics
On May 15 and 16, a special Métis pop-up clinic will be issuing vaccines for the area’s Métis population. Organized by the Metis Nation of Alberta, the two-day clinic is one of three taking place across northern Alberta in the coming weeks.
The clinic will be partnering with the Métis Nation to provide walk-in services to Indigenous community members. Advance registration is needed by clicking the link
The Métis weekend clinic in Lac La Biche is one of three temporary MNA pop-ups being held across the province this month. On May 26, a one-day clinic will be held in Fort McMurray, followed by a Calgary pop-up on May 29 and 30. All clinics are offering the Pfizer vaccine.
There are also four pharmacies in Lac La Biche County that are booking vaccine appointments with weekend availability.
