Fort McMurray’s active total of COVID-19 cases is continuing to rise.
The province also announced on Wednesday 2,271 new cases in the province over the past 24 hours.
There are currently 24,156 active cases across Alberta, while there have been a total of 200,924 positive tests.
There are also 666 Albertans in the hospital for the virus, 146 of which are in ICUs.
Locally, Fort McMurray added 99 new cases and 88 recoveries in the past 24 hours which puts the active total at 1,520.
The rural areas added two new cases and one recovery, raising the total of active cases to 50.
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 1,880 cases per 100,000 individuals.
The next closest is Lac La Biche County which is averaging roughly 460 fewer cases per 100,000 people.
In total, 3,378 individuals across the RMWB – 3,203 in Fort McMurray, 165 in the rural areas, and 10 in Wood Buffalo National Park – have recovered.
They are among the 174,666 who’ve recovered across the province. This represents just under 87 per cent of reported cases.
There were also three new deaths from COVID-19 in Alberta over the past 24 hours – raising the total at 2,102.
To date, five individuals in Fort McMurray have died as a result of the virus.
Salvation Army
An outbreak has been declared at the Salvation Army Shelter.
According to the province, nine individuals have tested positive and remain active.
In an email sent to Mix News, the Salvation Army says their MAT program, which offers homeless people a temporary roof over their heads, is not impacted.
They add they also have an offsite isolation centre in the case of any of these individuals contracting the virus.
Right now, the Thrift Store and drop-off centre remain closed and are expected to reopen on May 20.
Vaccine Rollout
The province is once again expanding eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Starting Monday, everyone born in 2009 or earlier will be able to book an appointment as Health Canada has officially authorized using the Pfizer vaccine on people between the ages of 12 and 15.
As of right now, the province is recommending these individuals contact 811 to book an appointment.
In the meantime, those 18 and older in the community can already book an appointment or attend the walk-in clinic at MacDonald Island Park which will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
