Alberta could start Step 2 of its plan to ease restrictions as early as March 1. That means some businesses could find out they're allowed to reopen that very day.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw said shaming or blaming those who contract COVID-19 creates the risk of driving spread underground and can discourage people from getting tested.

Whether or not to move into Step 2 of Alberta's pandemic reopening plan is a decision that will not be made until March 1 at the earliest, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said on Monday.

While the federal government has announced Canada's COVID-19 vaccine schedule is actually speeding up, Alberta's plans to continue to roll out the vaccine have not been laid out.

"I want to thank the vast majority of faith leaders and faith communities who have worked hard to protect each other and the broader communities," Dr. Hinshaw said.

The comments came after three media outlets, including Global News, asked Hinshaw to clarify what the benchmarks would be to put the emergency brake on reopening Alberta’s economy.

On Feb, 9, more than 10,000 tests were conducted in the province, but by Feb. 15, it was closer to 5,200.

Alberta's daily infections have been trending down for several weeks now, however strict public health measures remain in place. 

Alberta will begin offering first-dose appointments to eligible health-care workers in Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout plan.

Here is a timeline showing how quickly COVID-19 variant cases have jumped in Alberta since the first variant case was recorded two months ago.