Alberta's health-care system continues to be under considerable strain as the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues to batter the province.

The province announced that 226 patients were in ICU fighting COVID-19 on Thursday, with a total of 310 Albertans in ICU.

"We have never ever had that number of total patients in ICU before, never with the prior waves, and never in the history of this province," Alberta Health Services president and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu stated at a COVID-19 update on Thursday.

According to Yiu, the average daily COVID-19 admissions to Alberta ICUs over the past five days was more than 23.

"It's tragic that we are only able to keep pace with these kind of numbers because in part some of our ICU patients have passed away," said Yiu.

Alberta's chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also spoke to reports of people intentionally gathering to acquire COVID-19 for natural immunity.

"Anyone contemplating this kind activity should know that this consequence, severe illness and transmitting to others who may become severely ill or even die is an absolutely likely outcome.”

Hinshaw also stated that the reports are unverified at this time.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8215655/alberta-coronavirus-update-september-23-2021/

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