Global National February 23 2021 8:47pm 02:39 Rising COVID-19 R value causes concern in B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan While COVID-19 cases are declining in Canada, the reproduction rate (the R value) of the novel coronavirus is rising in the western provinces. Heather Yourex-West explains why. Alberta confirms 356 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, 269 people in hospital Canada adds 3,091 new COVID-19 cases, 58 deaths as vaccinations ramp up 399 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Alberta on Thursday Responsive site?