The active total of COVID-19 cases in Fort McMurray is dropping.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced on Thursday 1,854 new cases across the province – the highest daily count since measures were first introduced in March.

This raises the provincial total to 63,023 with 17,743 currently active. There are also 511 Albertans in the hospital for the virus, 97 of which are in ICUs.

Locally, Fort McMurray added four new cases and 19 recoveries which puts the active total at 224.

The rural areas saw one new case which raises the total of active cases to 11.

In total, 677 individuals across the RMWB – 580 in Fort McMurray and 97 in the rural areas – have recovered.

They are among the 44,705 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents just under 71 per cent of reported cases.

There were also 14 new deaths from COVID-19 in Alberta over the past day – raising the total to 575.

To date, two individuals in Fort McMurray have died as a result of the virus.

School Update

Two individuals with ties to St Martha and one with ties to Dr. Clark have tested positive for COVID-19.

Alberta Health Services and the schools have been in contact with staff, students, and families of those who need to self-isolate.

Both schools are remaining open at this time.