EDMONTON — Fifty-three new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Alberta on Thursday after 6,216 tests were completed.

There are now 578 active cases. The Calgary zone makes up 50 per cent of active cases with 291 while the Edmonton zone has 118. The North zone has 100 active infections while the Central and South zone have 44 and 23, respectively. There are two cases with an unknown zone of origin.

The seven-day average for new cases in Alberta is 41 and the provincial positivity rate is 0.85 per cent.

There are 107 people in hospital, including 31 in ICU.

Fifty-two are in hospital in the Calgary zone while 32 people are receiving treatment for COVID-19 in hospitals in the Edmonton zone. Thirteen people are in hospital in the North zone and the Central and South zones have six and four patients, respectively.

There was one new death from COVID-19 death reported Thursday. Alberta Health told CTV News a female in her 60s from the Calgary zone died from COVID-19 on Dec. 18, 2020.

There are now 2,312 Albertans who have died from COVID-19.

More than 229,700 people have recovered from COVID-19.

Every eligible age group in Alberta for vaccination has 60 per cent of its population with at least a first dose.

EDMONTON — Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park.

Wildfire smoke is reducing visibility and causing poor air quality, Environment Canada says.

Area residents are encouraged to take extra precautions to reduce exposure to it.

“Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health,” Environment Canada said. 

Edmonton’s air quality health index was a five as of 2 p.m. It had been at an eight earlier in the day, in the “high risk” category.

Low ranges in the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) are from one to three and high ranges sit between seven and 10.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s top doctor tweeted about the low air quality Thursday and encouraged Albertans to reduce outdoor activities.

CITY CLOSURES

The City of Edmonton closed its outdoor pools and green shacks due to the poor air quality and also moved its outdoor day camps and rec programs indoors for the rest of the day.

“A family travelling out there, trying to get to the pools, and they get the news it’s shut down – it is a bit upsetting,” said father Arnold Bolanos. 

Experts say air quality effects should be minimal for those who don’t live with underlying health conditions, but are recommending people in the Edmonton area to stay cautious when it comes to strenuous activities.

“If you start to sense issues like your throat starts to burn, you start to cough more, lower your activities,” said Kevin McCullum, data manager at Alberta Capital Airshed Society.

McCullum says the smoke creating a haze over the Edmonton area is coming from both west and south of Alberta. Wildfires occurring in B.C., as well as North Dakota and Montana are responsible for the smoke that has drifted into the province.

That smoke might stick around for a while according to McCullum, but Edmonton’s air quality shouldn’t get significantly worse.

“You can see some of the breaks in the forecast as clean air comes moving in it will help dissipate the smoke,” said McCullum.

The City of Leduc also closed its outdoor pool and spray park on Thursday as a result of the high-risk air quality index.

EDMONTON — An Edmonton-area couple won one of the 50 Maxmillion prize draws.

Daniel Luu and Min Jeong checked their tickets while out on a walk on June 8. Luu is from Edmonton and Lee lives in St. Albert.

“We were walking down Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, when we saw all those zeroes we picked up the pace to get back to the car and check again,” said Luu.

“We were in complete disbelief. We scanned the ticket a few more times in the car and each time felt more and more shocking,” he added.

The couple says they have a few ideas in mind on how to spend the cash prize, including paying off student loans, taking trips around Canada, and saving.

“More than anything, this will give us a great head-start in life,” said Luu.

The winning ticket was purchased a couple days before the draw at an H-Mart located at 570-3803 Calgary Trail NW, read a release by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.

EDMONTON — A pilot project in Edmonton is converting fire hydrants into water stations to provide access to free potable water.

The pilot was started to create more free water options throughout the summer for vulnerable Edmontonians.

One of the new water stations was spotted downtown near Michael Phair Park Wednesday.

A fire hydrant by Jasper Place Transit Centre on Stony Plain Road was also converted.

All of the water stations are expected to be up and running by the end of July, according to the city.

There will be five water stations as part of the pilot project.

EDMONTON — After 17 years the Starlite Room no longer requires people to have a membership for entry to shows.

The venue posted on Facebook Wednesday that it now has a Class B licence though Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) and no longer requires membership to fulfill its liquor licence requirements.

The Starlite Room can now host shows, throw events and sell alcohol without requiring patrons to have a membership.

In September 2003, the liquor licence for Rev Cabaret was revoked by AGLC. The venue closed and nine months later reopened under new ownership as the Starlite Room with a “members only” licence.

The venue acknowledges the membership was “the punchline of jokes” and an “awful nuisance” for staff and patrons, but was a requirement of the liquor licence acquired in 2003.

On its website the venue said: “It’s taken 17 years, but finally, you do not need a membership to enjoy the show!”