Alberta’s plan to scrap isolation for COVID-positive cases draws criticism

CALGARY – Dozens of doctors are taking to social media, sharing their opinions on Alberta’s announcement to roll back all COVID-19 protocols.

The province announced that beginning Thursday, quarantine for close contacts will shift from mandatory to recommended.

And beginning Aug. 16, isolation following a positive COVID-19 test will no longer be required, although strongly recommended, and quarantine support will no longer be available.

READ MORE: Several COVID-19 protocols rolled back in Alberta beginning Thursday

Province-imposed masking mandates will also be lifted in August.

Medical experts say they’re against the decision.

The most striking comment made by a couple of doctors is the fact that there is nowhere else in the entire world–except now in Alberta–where you don’t have to isolate after testing positive for the virus.

Doctors online argue this decision is anti-science and anti-public health.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Leyla Asadi says the government is gambling with public safety.

“The choice isn’t between going back to lockdowns or stopping all public health interventions for a novel pathogen against which only 64 per cent of the pop. is immunized,” she tweeted.

It didn't have to be this way. Our government & public health officials didn't need to gamble like this.
The choice isn't between going back to lockdowns or stopping all public health interventions for a novel pathogen against which only 64% of the pop. is immunized.

— Leyla Asadi, MD, PhD (@LeylaDAsadi) July 28, 2021

“We could have continued testing/tracing/isolating, we could have added on rapid tests, undertaken airborne mitigation strategies with better masks/ventilation/filtration, we could have paid people to take time off when sick.”

She added in her thread that more small vaccine incentives could be offered instead of only large prizes. She offers up “something as small as a grocery store voucher”.

We could have continued testing/tracing/isolating, we could have added on rapid tests, undertaken airborne mitigation strategies with better masks/ventilation/filtration, we could have paid people to take time off when sick.

— Leyla Asadi, MD, PhD (@LeylaDAsadi) July 28, 2021

Asadi also says the province could implement vaccine passports and mandate vaccines for health care workers.

“Don’t let them fool you into thinking they’re taking a brave libertarian stance for freedom or some sort of forward-thinking economically focused strategy,” she wrote.

Don't let them fool you into thinking they're taking a brave libertarian stance for freedom or some sort of forward-thinking economically focused strategy.
Look around at the world and see what is possible.
And then look what our province is offering us. #covid19ab #ableg

— Leyla Asadi, MD, PhD (@LeylaDAsadi) July 28, 2021

“Look around at the world and see what is possible. And then look what our province is offering us.”

Dr. Abdu Sharkawy says he is sickened by the news.

The province I was born in, where I learned to skate, beat the goalie low blocker side, made me a doctor…has abandoned science, public safety for desperate politicking. I am literally sickened. https://t.co/AKxKpbTP1U

— Abdu Sharkawy (@SharkawyMD) July 29, 2021

“The province I was born in…has abandoned science, public safety for desperate politicking. I am literally sickened,” he tweeted.

Infectious diseases clinician and researcher Dr. Ilan Schwartz tweeted that the government’s new approach is “insanely bad.”

Just how insanely bad is Alberta’s new covid approach?

– tests only available if you are so sick that you need treatment

– those who test ➕ need not isolate (irrespective of vaccination status)

– infected children allowed to attend school (in person, w/o masks) pic.twitter.com/1dof25rGqL

— Ilan Schwartz MD PhD (@GermHunterMD) July 29, 2021

Dr. Andrew Baback Boozary says what’s happening in Alberta affects everyone.

“This may simply be the biggest policy disconnect yet,” Boozary tweeted. “Solidarity with health workers across country and hoping for a shift to evidence soon.”

He added that the new approach is anti-science and anti-public health.

there is nowhere in the world where you do not have to isolate after testing positive for covid — except for Alberta, Canada. this is shockingly anti-science/public health.

— Andrew Baback Boozary (@drandrewb) July 29, 2021

Biostatistician Ryan Imgrund echoes Boozary’s concerns.

There is no where else in the entire world except Alberta where you don’t have to isolate after testing positive for COVID.

This includes Florida and the UK. https://t.co/F51cV5vCqd

— Generative AI (@GenArtInt) July 29, 2021

Intensive care Dr. Darren Markland called the Alberta government’s decision a business decision, arguing the government has never down the right thing during COVID-19.

This is a business decision. This government has never done the right thing when it comes to the pandemic, and now it’s clear that they’ve figured out what they consider acceptable losses to make this go away. Those losses will be friends and family. No one else is doing this. https://t.co/HIMCqq4NZq

— Darren Markland (@drdagly) July 28, 2021

Emergency room Dr. Joe Vipond points out children are about to start school again. They won’t have to wear masks or isolate if they have COVID-19.

“How do we keep our kids safe once schools start?” Vipond asks on Twitter.

How are we going to protect our kids who are under 12 who cannot be vaccinated? No masking needed, no isolation required of positive cases, no quarantine. How do we keep our kids safe once schools start?

— ???????????? ???????????????????????? joseph.vipond@ucalgary.ca (@jvipondmd) July 28, 2021

The responses go on, many more doctors saying this decision doesn’t make sense especially as we see cases start to rise again not just in the province but globally.