Currently repeat is a required attribute of an alert. I have a use case in which it would be most convenient to be able to just send a one time alert or even better a limited configurable number of repeats. For instance by adding
count number (optional, defaults to infinite)
The number of times the alert will be repeated
Just make an automation then that sends a single notification.
Then create an automation that sends a notification with repeat.
Then why do we have alerts in the first place? If you can fix everything with automations?
There are many different ways to do the same thing, and not just for alerts. You can use templates or the choose action for example.
Choice is a good thing.
So let’s have more choice 
Then at least vote for your own request 