Jen Lee
LightNews LightNews
banner
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Jen Lee
@jenleecbc.bsky.social
690 followers 350 following 180 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
Posts Replies Media Videos
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
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Some Albertans struggled to book COVID-19 shots as the province’s fall immunization campaign opened to the general public on Monday… and Health link was flooded with thousands of calls👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Some Albertans frustrated and unable to book COVID-19 shots as fall campaign kicks off | CBC News
Some Albertans struggled to book COVID-19 shots as the province’s fall immunization campaign opened to the general public on Monday.
www.cbc.ca
October 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta will offer a free, preventative RSV shot to some high-risk newborns this fall, but it is stopping short of providing universal coverage to infants, which some other provinces are opting to do

Latest from me👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
High-risk Alberta newborns to start getting new RSV shot next month amid calls for wider coverage | CBC News
Alberta will offer a free, preventative RSV shot to some high-risk newborns this fall, but it is stopping short of providing universal coverage to infants, which some other provinces are opting to do.
www.cbc.ca
October 9, 2025 at 8:14 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Albert is reporting 3 more measles cases since Friday

Total this year = 1,920
In hospital now = 1
Total hosp = 152 (15icu)
Total deaths = 1

www.alberta.ca/measles
October 6, 2025 at 7:56 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Some community outreach groups are scrambling after being told that, starting this month, they no longer have access to free, provincially funded needles, pipes and other harm reduction supplies from their usual provider
Story👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Calgary outreach organizations worried as access to free harm reduction supplies dries up | CBC News
Some community outreach groups working with vulnerable Calgarians are scrambling after being told that, starting this month, they no longer have access to free, provincially funded needles, pipes and ...
www.cbc.ca
October 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update is out👇
(data tracking for season began Aug 24)

COVID-19
Deaths: 12
In hospital: 68/3icu
Total Hosp: 197/12icu
Positivity: 6.8%

FLU:
In hosp: 1
Total hosp: 23
Positivity: 0.7%

RSV:
In hosp: 1
Total hosp: 8
Positivity: 0.4%
www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo...
October 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
The Alberta government says the baby who died is one of seven congenital measles cases diagnosed this year👇
October 3, 2025 at 4:13 AM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Tragic news in Alberta

The province is reporting its first measles death since its outbreaks began in March

A baby, born prematurely, after the mother contracted measles

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta baby born prematurely dies due to measles, in province's first death | CBC News
Alberta is reporting its first measles death since outbreaks of the highly contagious illness began in the province in March. The province says a baby, who was born prematurely after the mother became...
www.cbc.ca
October 2, 2025 at 8:29 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
COVID-19 continues to tick up in Alberta. Here's the latest wkly respiratory virus update shows👇

COVID:
In hosp: 71 (4 icu)
Total hosptitalizations since Aug 24: 145 (11 icu)
Deaths: 7
Postivity: 7.8%

FLU:
In hosp: 6
Deaths: 0
Positivity: 0.6%

www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo...
September 26, 2025 at 9:24 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta doctors are pushing back against unproven claims by U.S. President Donald Trump linking autism to the use of Tylenol during pregnancy. They worry Trump's message could spark unnecessary fear among parents and pregnant individuals
My latest👇

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Trump's claims linking autism and Tylenol are a 'manufactured conspiracy,' Alberta doctor warns | CBC News
Alberta doctors are pushing back against unproven claims by U.S. President Donald Trump linking autism to the use of Tylenol during pregnancy.
www.cbc.ca
September 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by Jen Lee
jantafrench.bsky.social
NEW: The Alberta Teachers' Association and employers are returning to the bargaining table Friday.

See short decision from the LRB, to resolve the complaint the government filed earlier this week.

Note the outstanding issues: two pay items and coverage of COVID vaccines. #AbLeg #AbEd
September 18, 2025 at 11:11 PM
jenleecbc.bsky.social
Alberta's weekly respiratory virus update👇

COVID-19
69 in hospital (3 icu) ⬆️
3 deaths (no change)
7% positivity

FLU:
5 in hospital
0 deaths
1.2% positivity

RSV:
1 in hospital
0 deaths
.3% positivty

www.alberta.ca/stats/dashbo...
September 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM