Alberta reported 114 new cases of COVID-19 and two additional deaths linked to the illness in the last 24 hours.
There are 1293 active cases, 176 deaths, and 8506 recovered cases.
Dr Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, said the update is a wakeup call.
She said she understands many Albertans are suffering from COVID-19 fatigue and might believe that they no longer need to worry about its spread.
Hinshaw reaffirmed the novel coronavirus remains a risk.
There are no new cases of COVID-19 in the RMWB.
106 Albertans are now in hospital with 21 in intensive care.
Fort McMurray has no active cases, while there are four active cases outside the urban service area.
96 residents from the region recovered from COVID-19.
Hinshaw said masking is critically important.
To date, Alberta distributed over 40 million masks to the public.
She encouraged all Albertans to wear non-medical masks but did not make it mandatory.
Hinshaw said the guidance will continue, in particular for school settings.
Hinshaw says there’s not enough evidence to know how kids would react to wearing masks in schools.
Says they might find it uncomfortable, and touch their faces which could heighten risk.
Adds they continue to investigate evidence
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) July 23, 2020
RELATED: Momentum for mandatory masks building in Alberta
Health officials conducted over 8200 tests in the last 24 hours.
LIVE – update from @CMOH_Alberta Dr. Deena Hinshaw and officials on #COVID19 and the ongoing work to protect public health. The latest information is also available at https://t.co/sq9X3Ixrx2 #COVID19AB https://t.co/6OailNG1SX
— Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) July 23, 2020
520,722 Albertans took the COVID-19 test since the start of the pandemic.
A short video on visiting family at long-term care facilities is available on Alberta’s website.
