Grits blame Tories for swine flu deaths

CANDICE WARD/FOR METRO EDMONTON

Caleb Isaacson, 6, and father Terry Isaacson get their H1N1 flu shots at Commonwealth Stadium yesterday. Yesterday was the first day for the general public to receive the shots and wait times were short at Commonwealth Stadium. Opposition Liberals say the provincial government is to blame for the relatively high numbers of H1N1-related deaths and hospital admissions.

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Published: November 24, 2009 5:19 a.m.

Last modified: November 24, 2009 12:21 a.m.

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Alberta’s Liberal Opposition is blaming the Tory government for the relatively high number of deaths and hospital admissions related to swine flu.

As of last week, Alberta had recorded 42 H1N1-related deaths, far more than Manitoba and Saskatchewan with eight deaths each.

The Liberals also point out that nearly 900 Albertans have been hospitalized, compared to just 36 people in Saskatchewan and 250 in Manitoba.

Liberal Leader David Swann says the province mishandled swine flu vaccinations by not focusing on high-risk Albertans when the shots were first offered.

Swann blames Health Minister Ron Liepert for Alberta having nearly twice the H1N1 death rate compared to the rest of the country.

Liepert told reporters that in hindsight he would do some things differently.

But the minister later told the legislature that the province has “reacted appropriately” to the swine flu pandemic.

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