Jen Lee
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jenleecbc.bsky.social
Jen Lee
@jenleecbc.bsky.social
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
Addressing hospital capacity problems is “critical” to reducing emergency room wait times, according to the authors of a new Alberta study
Latest from me👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hospital overcrowding key factor in long ER waits, Alberta study shows | CBC News
Addressing hospital capacity problems is “critical” to reducing emergency room wait times, according to the authors of a new Alberta study.
www.cbc.ca
February 3, 2026 at 8:50 PM
More Albertans are waiting longer than clinically recommended for critical cardiac and cancer surgeries, sparking concern among health experts and calls for urgent action
My latest👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta heart, cancer patients waiting too long for critical surgery, health experts warn | CBC News
While a record number of surgeries is being performed in the province, the number of people on Alberta's waitlist is longer than it was two years ago. And the latest provincial data shows less than tw...
www.cbc.ca
January 30, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Alberta's measles case counts have jumped after several quieter months, sparking concerns about the province’s ability to quash the outbreak
Latest👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
New measles uptick 'alarming,' Alberta doctor warns | CBC News
Alberta's measles case counts have jumped after several quieter months, sparking concerns about the province’s ability to quash the outbreak.
www.cbc.ca
January 15, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Alberta's measles surge sparked more than 2,000 cases of the highly infectious illness in 2025 and, while transmission has dropped dramatically, experts warn the virus remains a threat in the year ahead
Latest from me👇
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta's measles case count topped 2,000 last year, and the outbreak is not over yet | CBC News
Alberta's measles outbreaks sparked more than 2,000 cases of the highly infectious illness in 2025, and while transmission has dropped dramatically, experts warn the virus remains a threat in the year...
www.cbc.ca
January 7, 2026 at 9:06 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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