Here's your Covid # analysis for Thursday. 1/

Cases 1429 yest, new record for the third wave (get used to that, folks). 897 last week, so 59% increase. Increase rising every day! That's a steepening, or accelerating curve. Very dangerous and worrisome. I can't stress that enough. 2/

Positivity 9.4% (last week 6.62% so up 42%!!!). Rt (as per @imgrund) also rising at 1.26 (2 days ago 1.24)... this underlines the accelerating/steepening curve. 3/

717 variants. Another new record. B117 Apr4 489 (total 886 , so 55%) Apr 5 492 (total 938, so 52%, perhaps incomplete, will recheck tomorrow). P1 23 (unchanged from yest), B1351 26. I'll watch these #s daily to see rise, not easy to find out. 4/

Hospitalizations up to 257(+3) ICU 83 (+4) (59 last week so up 41%). Most impressive is the narrowing ratio between ICU/Hosp. So 24% now, whereas when we were at this level in the 2nd wave on Nov 20 was 16%. 5/

Deaths thankfully and amazingly, remain low at 3. Such a different from the second wave. Get vaccinated, everyone. mortality from variants, 30 (out of total 2821 resolved, 1.0%) 6/

Look at this graphic from @CBCFletch showing demographics of new cases. This third wave is so different than the second one: this is the youth wave. No one under 60 is spared. Even school aged kids (nudge-nudge). 7/

Look at Calgary. Exploding. What a disaster. Blue dominating. 8/

OK off to work. You'll have to do your own analysis today. fin/ (thanks to @CBCFletch for the images)

One more addendum. @CMOH_Alberta was on fire today. Accurate and appropriately calling the situation. Worth a watch. Reinspired.