EDMONTON — People at the Heritage Festival in Edmonton had the opportunity to enjoy food and culture from other countries, and get their COVID-19 vaccine.

The mobile vaccination clinic launched less than a week ago, it is intended to help get vaccines to rural communities and hard-to-reach populations in the province.

“The point of the mobile vaccination clinic is to make sure that we can reach the people who have been hesitant, the people who have a hard time getting time off of work,” said Sara Borchiellini, with Vax Hunters Alberta.

“So if they’re here already they know they can get their vaccine on the spot and they’ll be taken care of right away by the staff here.”

Borchiellini was at the festival to help spread the word that the clinic was there for people. She said it would take people under 40 minutes to get their shot.

The mobile clinic is funded by the provincial government and a coalition of Alberta businesses. Anyone wanting the clinic to come to a workplace or event can visit the Business Council of Alberta’s website.

The clinic had both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available Saturday, according to Borchiellini.

EDMONTON — The latest spell of warm weather in Alberta continues to deteriorate agricultural conditions in the province as the latest crop report forecasts only 19.7 per cent of crops in good to excellent condition.

Released on Tuesday, the province’s crop report painted a bleak picture for agricultural producers in Alberta as warm weather coupled with a lack of precipitation continues to damage annual and perennial harvests.

The crop rating represents a 17 point drop in the last two weeks and is more than 50 points below the five and ten year average scores, the province said.

“The forecasted high temperatures for the upcoming week are expected to impact these ratings further,” the report said.

According to the provincial crop report, the central region – encompassing areas around Coronation, Oyen, Rimbey, and Airdrie – experienced the most significant crop reductions.

Of the crops that are able to be harvested, reported yields are “well below normal,” the crop forecast said. First-cut hay has a five-year average of 1.5 tons per acre. This year yields are around one ton per acre.

More than half of all pasture acres are rated as poor, the province said.

Last year the provincial government’s crop forecast rated 77.5 per cent of all crops as in good to excellent condition at the end of July.

Some of the hardest hit crops, as compared to last year, include chickpeas, dry peas, spring wheat, and durum wheat.

Several counties and municipal districts across the province have already declared agricultural disasters, with some saying this year’s stunted growing season and deteriorated soil conditions creating future impacts.

The province releases crop reporting bi-weekly during July and August.

EDMONTON — Environment Canada has placed the majority of Alberta under heat warnings as it forecasts daytime temperatures ranging from 29 to 35 degrees.

The weather agency says the combination of high daytime temperatures and lack of respite during the overnight period present conditions that could elevate the risk of heat illnesses, like heat stroke or exhaustion.

Heat warnings are in effect for all parts of the province expect Jasper National Park and Nordegg.

Western parts of the province are also under an air quality advisory as wildfire smoke is expected to envelop areas in and around Banff and Jasper National Parks, Hinton, and Grande Cache.

Albertans and those visiting areas under the heat warning should consider rescheduling outdoor activities outside of peak temperatures, take frequent breaks from the heat, and drink plenty of water.

“Monitor for symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness,” the heat warning said.

EXTREME HEAT RESPONSE ACTIVATED BY EDMONTON

The City of Edmonton reactivated its extreme heat response plan on Saturday to help ensure vulnerable people are safe during the warmer weather.

Peace officers will carry water bottles to distribute to vulnerable people.

City facilities and recreation centres will be open to give people a break from the heat. These include:

• The Orange Hub;
• Mill Woods Recreation Centre;
• Londonderry Fitness and Leisure Centre;
• Kinsmen Sports Centre;
• Clareview Community Recreation Centre;
• Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre;
• Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre and;
• The Meadows Community Recreation Centre.

City pools, including the Queen Elizabeth outdoor pool and Hardisty Fitness and Leisure Centre, will distribute free water bottles to anyone in need.

Water bottle filling stations will be available in the river valley at park fountains and certain fire hydrants. Locations include:

• Giovanni Caboto Park at 109 Avenue and 94 Street;
• Michael Phair Park at 104 Street, north of Jasper Avenue;
• Parkdale Square Shopping Complex at 118 Avenue east of 82 Street;
• Butler Memorial Park at 100A Avenue and 158 Street; and
• Strathcona Farmers’ Market at 83 Avenue, east of 104 Street.

The city encourages anyone who is need of assistance because of the heat or sees someone in distress to call 211 or 911 in emergencies.

The extreme weather response will remain in effect until the heat dies down, the city said in a statement Saturday. 

EDMONTON — The head of the Alberta Medical Association says he has significant concerns with the province’s decision to suspend almost all of its COVID-19 public health protocols.

In an open letter to members, Paul Boucher says the pace at which the United Conservative government is ending restrictions is troubling.

He says the government should release the data on which the decision was made.

Boucher adds the government’s planned reliance on hospitalization data and monitoring wastewater for viruses isn’t likely to provide enough information on the spread of COVID-19, especially as new variants take over.

The letter says easing back restrictions more slowly would be safer, easier on the health care system and cause less public worry.

Boucher says Alberta will eventually have to move away from pandemic measures, but concludes the government is doing so too quickly.

“The pace at which public health measures are ending is troubling,” he writes.

“I do not disagree that moving from pandemic state to endemic state is the future but would strongly advocate for a less precipitous approach.”

Boucher says he has shared his concerns with the province.

This week, Alberta announced that close contacts of people who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer legally required to isolate, nor are they notified by contact tracers.

As of Aug. 16, infected individuals won’t need to isolate. Testing will also be curtailed.

The moves come as the province’s active case numbers and infection rate increases.

The lifting of Alberta’s restrictions has been viewed with concern by other top doctors.

Canada’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Theresa Tam has warned against opening too quickly. The Canadian Pediatric Society has written to her Alberta counterpart Dr. Deena Hinshaw urging her to reconsider.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2021.

TOKYO — Kylie Masse has won her second medal of the Tokyo Olympics with a silver medal in the women’s 200-metre backstroke.

The 25-year-old from LaSalle, Ont., finished in two minutes 5.42 seconds on Saturday — behind Kaylee McKeown (2:04.68) and ahead of Emily Seebohm (2:06.17), both of Australia.

The Canadian women’s swim team has generated five medals in Tokyo, including Masse’s other silver in the 100-metre backstroke on Tuesday.

“I know I have high expectations of myself, but I’m really happy to have gotten on the podium a second time at an Olympic Games,” Masse said.

She has a chance at a third medal as she’s expected to swim the backstroke leg of the women’s medley relay on Sunday.

Masse (pronounced Moss) led at 150 metres in the 200, but was caught at the wall by McKeown.

“I knew it was going to come down to the last bit,” Masse said. “I think maybe from how I felt, my stroke rate maybe slowed down a bit at the end.

“I’ll have to look back on the race and talk to the coaches, but that was a best time for me, a Canadian record, so I have to be pleased with that.”

Masse’s Canadian teammate Taylor Ruck of Kelowna, B.C., finished sixth with a time of 2:08.24.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2021.