EDMONTON — The number of COVID-19 patients in Alberta hospitals and intensive care units continued to break months-old records Monday as the province added more than 3,000 cases over the weekend. 

Monday’s report includes data from Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are 401 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, an increase of more than 300 since the start of the month and the highest since June 3.

Included in that count are 98 patients in ICU, the most since June 4 and an increase of 78 since Aug. 1. 

More than 90 per cent of those in ICU are unvaccinated, as are close to 75 per cent of those in hospital.

The province reported 3,056 new cases over that three-day period, bringing the seven-day rolling daily average up to 1,011, about where it was in mid-May.

Active cases have increased to 11,426, the first time they’ve exceeded 11,000 since May 24.

Seven new deaths due to COVID-19 were reported Monday, bringing the number of Albertans who have died due to COVID-19 up to 2,371. Forty-four of those deaths have occurred since Aug. 1, including 17 in the past week. 

Among eligible Albertans, 77.9 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 69.7 per cent have had a second shot.​

The next data update is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government will make COVID-19 vaccine third doses available to immunocompromised people and seniors in congregate care facilities starting on Wednesday.

“The data shows that additional doses will offer stronger protection for immunocompromised individuals and older Albertans living in supportive living facilities,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said. “Just as we offered these individuals earlier access to COVID-19 vaccines and a shorter four-week interval between doses, we will continue to work to protect all Albertans as new data emerges. However, the best way for us to protect each other is still for as many people as possible to be fully immunized.”

Seniors in congregate care facilities are eligible to get their third dose approximately five months after their second, province said.

Immunocompromised people — including transplant recipients, people with chronic kidney disease and patients in active cancer treatment — can get their booster shot eight weeks after their second vaccine.

The province will also make Pfizer and Moderna doses available to travellers going somewhere that does not accept AstraZeneca or a mix as proof of full vaccination, 28 days after their second shot.

As of Monday, 77.9 per cent of eligible Albertans had received one dose and 69.7 per cent had two.

EDMONTON — Starting Friday, Edmontonians will have to wear masks again in all public spaces, privately-owned businesses and municipal spaces as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Alberta.

Masks or face coverings will need to be worn in all public places starting on Sept. 3, including at restaurants, recreation centres, and while on public transit, ride shares, and taxis.

City council voted to reinstate the mask mandate for Edmonton on Monday afternoon. The measure passed by 9-2, with Councillors Jon Dziadyk and Mike Nickel casting the only votes against.

This bylaw will go beyond current provincial public health measures, which do not mandate masks.

The measure will be in effect until Dec. 31, unless city council determines the bylaw should be renewed or rescinded sooner. Additionally, if active case counts in the Edmonton area fall below 100 per 100,000 people, the bylaw would be automatically struck. Right now, Edmonton has more than 200 cases per 100,000 population.

Exemptions to the bylaw will be in place for people exercising in recreation centres or gyms and activities in pools, as well as for people eating or drinking in restaurants.

Children under the age of two and those with mental or physical limitations are exempt from wearing masks, as well as those who are unable to use or remove a face covering without assistance.

‘THE RIGHT THING TO DO’

Council began the day debating whether to maintain a mask mandate on transit, taxis, and rides shares once the provincial rules mandating those expires Sept. 27.

Focus then shifted to implementing mandatory masks in all indoor public spaces.

A few councillors voiced concerns on behalf of local businesses that enforcement of the measure could be difficult alongside concerns that Edmonton would be implementing a mask mandate without the support of the metropolitan area around it.

Coun. Andrew Knack said he understood why some councillors felt like voting to mandate masks again was a difficult decision since the city was “in the dark,” as COVID-19 data and modelling the province promised would be released publically has not been.

“I would prefer not to be in this situation today,” Knack said. “I worry that taking no action beyond just continuing to wear (masks) on transit, is not enough at this time.

“If we are wrong and there is a better way to do it, the province can tell us,” he added. “But there is a void from that area.”

“We opened too fast in Alberta,” Mayor Don Iveson said. “Many people were concerned about that at the time. Exactly what was predicted at the time by the epidemiologists and the subject matter experts is happening.

“That is now contributing to fear,” he added. “Which ironically, is also bad for the economy. Just as we were celebrating that we were going to be able to kick the doors open, everything was going to be fine, now we’ve got workplaces and workers who are concerned about their safety on the frontlines again, we’ve got hospitals that are filling up again, and surgeries being postponed.”

The mayor said that while masks alone will not solve those issues, should the measure help bend the curve it is “the right thing to do.”

As of Friday, the seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 infections in Alberta is up to 853, about where it was in mid-May when the province had announced stronger public health orders to “put the health-care system first.”

There were 9,655 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta on Friday, with the province adding over 1,000 new infections for three straight days.

There are at least 336 COVID-19 patients in hospital, representing the highest patient count since June 7. Included in that number are 74 patients in ICUs, the highest since June 11.

Andre Corbould, city manager, said enforcement of the bylaw would focus on education first. He added that since there is no provincial mandate, enforcement actions would be limited to city bylaw officers and the Edmonton Police Service.

Edmonton’s largest school districts both have mask mandates and several post-secondary institutions, including the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, and NAIT.

Jeffrey Sundquist, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said he welcomed the measure.

“With cases increasing, the Edmonton Chamber supports measures that will keep people safe, businesses open and the economy growing,” Sundquist said in a statement to CTV News Edmonton.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Matthew Black and Jeremy Thompson

EDMONTON — Edmonton police are investigating after a man was killed in a shooting at a community hall Sunday morning.

Around 4 a.m., police responded to a report of a shooting in the area of 37 Avenue and 106 Street.

When officers arrived, EPS said they found the body of a man in his 20s inside the hall.

Six other men were injured in the incident, added to EPS. Three had non-life threatening injuries and have been released from hospital. The other three remain in hospital, one in serious condition and the other two with non-life threatening injuries.

“Homicide Section has since taken over the investigation and a male suspect is currently in custody,” said EPS in a news release.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. EPS added that “updates are expected in the coming days.”

EDMONTON — Hundreds of kids across Alberta set up lemonade stands Sunday to help raise money for the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton.

Organized by the Stollery Children’s Hospital, families sign-up online and receive lemonade ingredients, cups, signage, t-shirts, and training to create the best cup of refreshing lemonade.

All proceeds will go towards renovating the family room at the Stollery, a central place for patient families to be together, reflect, rest, and re-energize. The new space will feature improved wheelchair access, a new dining area, and updated technology.

“So we’re going to put all the money into the family room, and we’re going to make it nice for the people who are staying at the hospital,” said Eve Loiselle, a lemonade stand participant.

As of publication, stands raised nearly $100,000.

Monita Chapman, Lemonade Stand Day chair, said the event has been run since 2014 and is a summer tradition for many families. It helps to teach philanthropy and entrepreneurial skills.

“It’s the lemon family that we’ve created,” Chapman said. “My two daughters who’ve been doing this since they were quite young this year started their own businesses because of stuff they’ve learned through Lemonade Stand Day.

“(Many) families participate every year and make this part of their summer plans,” she added. “That’s my favourite part because these kids have grown up doing this.”

In that first year, there were 30 stands only in Edmonton. The event has now grown to 350 stands across Alberta.

After eight years of running the event, Chapman says it is getting close to raising a combined total of $1 million.

“To be here is absolutely mind-blowing,” she said.

Lisa Jackson’s daughter Maya required surgery at the Stollery in 2016.

“It certainly was instrumental in her recovery, and the process and support functions at the Stollery were huge for her,” Jackson said.

This year marks the family’s sixth year of squeezing lemons to make lemonade.

“It’s pretty cool because the kids in there need it, and I like helping people,” Maya shared. “They need our help, so we’re helping.”