People 18 and older can soon get their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Premier Jason Kenney announced on Monday they’re expanding eligibility in the RMWB and Banff.

Along with the Janssen vaccines, which have been delayed, 20,000 additional doses will be sent to the two areas to help combat the rise in cases.

These individuals will be eligible starting Tuesday for all vaccines with the MacDonald Island Park clinic still accepting walk-ins for just the AstraZeneca.

All other vaccines will need an appointment.

Also, teachers across the province can get their first shot.

All teachers and staff in elementary, junior, and high schools can get vaccinated starting on Tuesday.

This expansion of the vaccine plan also includes people working in dayhomes, preschool, and other childcare centres.

Kenney says they will be going off the honour system, meaning individuals won’t need to prove their employment.

Daily COVID Update

The active total of COVID-19 cases in Fort McMurray is seeing a big jump in the wrong direction.

The province also announced on Monday 2,012 new cases in the province over the past 24 hours.

There are currently 23,608 active cases across Alberta, while there have been a total of 196,910 positive tests.

There are also 658 Albertans in the hospital for the virus, 154 of which are in ICUs.

Locally, Fort McMurray added 140 new cases and 60 recoveries in the past 24 hours which puts the active total at 1,458.

The rural areas added seven new cases, raising the total of active cases to 46.

Wood Buffalo National Park remains at zero active cases.

The region remains the worst in the province when it comes to spread of the virus.

The RMWB is averaging around 1,800 cases per 100,000 individuals.

The next closest is Lac La Biche County which is averaging roughly 500 fewer cases per 100,000 people.

In total, 3,195 individuals across the RMWB – 3,022 in Fort McMurray, 163 in the rural areas, and 10 in Wood Buffalo National Park – have recovered.

They are among the 171,212 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents just under 87 per cent of reported cases.

There were also four new deaths from COVID-19 in Alberta over the past 24 hours – raising the total at 2,090.

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