Jen Lee
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jenleecbc.bsky.social
Jen Lee
@jenleecbc.bsky.social
710 followers 350 following 190 posts
Senior Reporter for CBC News specializing in health stories
cbc.ca/calgary
Based in Calgary, Alberta
cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/author/jennifer-lee-1.2878035
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jenleecbc.bsky.social
Latest from me on Alberta's flu situation, the pressure on hospitals and what health officials are doing to address this👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Flu cases soar as Alberta health officials work to relieve pressure on hospitals | CBC News
The Alberta government says it is working to help strained hospitals as doctors raise the alarm about a wave of influenza.
www.cbc.ca
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's declining COVID-19 vaccination rate is sparking more concern as it becomes clear how uptake in the province compares to other parts of the country

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
How does Alberta's COVID-19 vaccination rate compare to other provinces? We asked | CBC News
Alberta's declining COVID-19 vaccination rate is sparking more concern as it becomes clear how uptake in the province compares to other parts of the country.
www.cbc.ca
December 19, 2025 at 8:14 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
A Calgary man says he’s facing cancer treatment delays because the specialized therapy he needs is not yet being offered at Calgary's new cancer centre (it opened in 2024)

Currently, the treatment is only avail in Edmonton. It was approved by Health Canada in 2019

Story👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Calgary man waiting for treatment not yet offered at city's new cancer centre | CBC News
A Calgary man says he’s facing cancer treatment delays because the specialized therapy he needs is not yet being offered at the city's new cancer centre, which opened in 2024.
www.cbc.ca
December 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta has a new, permanent chief medical officer of health

The Alberta government has appointed Dr. Vivien Suttorp, who was working as the lead medical officer of health in the South Zone, to the role👇
December 18, 2025 at 4:55 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Hey Alberta, check out this week's respiratory virus update:

**FLU surging**
In hosp now: 216(18 icu) --> Up from 120(8) last wk
Total hosp this season: 802(54)
Deaths: 21
Positivity: jumped to 28.5%

COVID
In hosp: 70 (3 icu)
Total hosp: 650(40)
Deaths: 64
Pos: 4.9%
www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo...
December 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta hospitals are being slammed with flu patients at a time when they’re already under strain, and doctors are bracing for more as the worst of the respiratory virus season has yet to hit

All this comes at a time when hospitals are already under strain👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
'We're getting crushed': Alberta emergency rooms hit with wave of influenza patients | CBC News
Alberta hospitals are being slammed with flu patients at a time when they’re already under strain, and doctors are bracing for more as the worst of the respiratory virus season has yet to hit.
www.cbc.ca
December 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's latest weekly respiratory virus update👇
FLU
In hospital: 120 (8 icu)
Total hosp this season: 519 (31)
Deaths: 15
Positivity: 17.8%

COVID
In hosp: 67 (4)
Total hosp: 601 (38)
Deaths: 57
Pos: 6.1%

RSV
In hosp: 15 (2)
Deaths: 2
Pos: 2.3%
December 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Reposted by Jen Lee
markusoff.bsky.social
BREAKING: Alberta Health Services CEO who took over after a controversial firing in January is now himself out.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
December 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Update:
AHS has now reversed the COVID vaccine charges for this Calgarian who was clearly eligible for a free shot 👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
December 3, 2025 at 8:57 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
I spoke with an 80 yr old Albertan who got a $100 bill for her COVID vaccine in the mail, despite being eligible for the free shot

She has diabetes, heart disease, is on the Alberta Seniors Benefit

Story👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
80-year-old diabetic Calgarian shocked to receive $100 bill for COVID-19 vaccine | CBC News
A Calgary senior with diabetes and heart disease is fighting back after being billed for her COVID-19 vaccine despite being eligible for a free shot. Sharon Mason, 80, received her COVID vaccine in ea...
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
More reaction to Alberta's plan to bring in a dual practice model for doctors, expanding private health care in the province👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Experts warn the devil is in the details with Alberta's 'experiment' to expand private health care | CBC News
Some health experts say they’re worried the new legislation designed to expand private health care in Alberta was not properly planned and is missing key protections for the public health system.
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's flu upswing is here...
positivity rates, hospitalizations rise amid concerns the country could face a particularly harsh season 👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Doctors urge vaccination as influenza upswing hits Alberta | CBC News
Influenza is starting to surge in Alberta, and hospitals are getting busier as doctors brace for what could be an intense few months ahead.
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Jen Lee
jantafrench.bsky.social
Alberta's justice minister has tabled a bill to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of legislation from legal challenges. The laws in question restrict the rights of transgender people in access to health care and sports, and affect K-12 education of all students.
#AbLeg #Abed
Alberta to invoke notwithstanding clause to shield 3 transgender bills from court challenges | CBC News
The Alberta government has tabled legislation that seeks to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of bills that affects transgender youth and adults from legal challenges.
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Some Alberta pediatricians say making childhood immunizations routinely available in pediatric hospitals could help improve slumping vaccination rates in the province

But the Alberta government says it's a no-go

Latest from me👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta doctors call for regular access to vaccines in children's hospitals to combat low immunization rates | CBC News
Some Alberta pediatricians say they've got an idea to help improve routine childhood vaccination rates, but they're facing roadblocks. The doctors want the shots, including measles and whooping cough ...
www.cbc.ca
November 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
A TB outbreak has been declared in Edmonton

Story from my colleagues there👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Tuberculosis outbreak declared in inner-city Edmonton: Primary Care Alberta | CBC News
Provincial health officials have declared an outbreak of tuberculosis in Edmonton's core, after lab tests confirmed two inner-city residents had the same strain of the infectious disease.
www.cbc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 11:55 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update👇

COVID
In hosp now: 66/3icu
Total hosp: 444/26
Total deaths: 42 (this season)
Positivity: 5.5% (6.5% last wk)

FLU
In hospital: 42/9icu
Total hosp: 168/14
Total deaths: 3
Pos: 7.1% ⬆️(3.4% last wk)

www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo...
November 13, 2025 at 11:27 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
ICYMI 👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Think you’re not eligible for a free COVID shot in Alberta? Double check, experts urge | CBC News
Health experts are urging Albertans to double check if they qualify for a free COVID-19 shot, warning the province’s controversial fall immunization campaign is sparking ongoing confusion.
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
A former chief medical officer of health for Alberta says the provincial government should be embarrassed by the role Alberta has played in Canada’s measles outbreaks and loss of the country's measles elimination status

Latest from me👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta's role in Canada's loss of measles elimination status embarrassing, former chief medical officer says | CBC News
The latest federal data shows Alberta accounts for 38 per cent of Canada’s cases.
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta is reporting 6 new measles cases

Total to date = 1,956

In hospital = 2 (non-icu)
Total hosp = 154 including 15 icu
Deaths = 1 (unchanged)

(These outbreaks began in the March)

Info here👇
www.alberta.ca/measles
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's respiratory virus update👇

COVID:
In hosp now: 67/1 icu
Total hosp: 394/21 icu
Total deaths: 36
Positivity: 6.5%

FLU:
In hosp now: 25/3 icu
Total hosp: 112/8 icu
Total deaths: 1
Pos: 3.4%

RSV...starting to tick up

Data here: www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo...
November 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
ICYMI: Some Calgary pharmacists say they've started waitlists for private COVID-19 vaccines because they can't get their hands on stock as frustrated Albertans turn to them for the shots

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
High demand for private COVID-19 shots sparks supply problems, waitlists for Alberta pharmacies | CBC News
Some Alberta pharmacists say they've started waitlists for private COVID-19 vaccines because they can't get their hands on stock as frustrated Albertans turn to them for the shots.
www.cbc.ca
November 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Hey Alberta...I'm looking to connect with folks who have recently received a COVID shot through a public health clinic, for a story. Please DM me! Thanks
November 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Some Alberta doctors say they're seeing a recent and concerning trend of new parents either questioning or refusing vitamin K injections, which have been given to newborns as standard practice for decades
My latest👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
More Alberta parents pushing back against standard preventative treatment for newborns, some doctors say | CBC News
Some Alberta doctors say they're seeing a recent and concerning trend of new parents either questioning or refusing vitamin K injections, which have been given to newborns as standard practice for dec...
www.cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 10:18 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Here's a closer look at Alberta's plans to make legislative changes that would let people pay out of pocket for diagnostic and preventive tests, such as MRIs, CT scans and full-body scans — without a doctor’s order

By @joeldryden.bsky.social

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta government plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service | CBC News
Alberta is planning legislative changes that would let people pay out of pocket for diagnostic and preventive tests, such as MRIs, CT scans and full-body scans — without a doctor’s order.
www.cbc.ca
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Parents and doctors continue to push back against the Alberta government’s controversial COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Some people can't afford it. Others are struggling to book

And doctors are warning if fewer people get the shot, hosp rates and health system costs could ⬆️

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Albertans are struggling to book COVID shots; doctors worry some might give up | CBC News
Parents and doctors continue to push back against the Alberta government’s controversial COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Determining who is eligible for free vaccines has not been straightforward, and the b...
www.cbc.ca
October 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM