EDMONTON -- There have been another 98 cases of COVID-19 and an additional death reported in the last 24 hours, according to Alberta's top doctor.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, resuming her daily updates throughout the week now that the school year has begun, said there are 45 people in hospital including seven in ICUs.

Alberta Health confirmed the death was a woman in her 70s in the Edmonton Zone who was not in a continuing care facility.

There are now 1,585 active cases in the province, down 107 from the previous day, and 15,191 cases in total. Of those active cases, there are 562 in Edmonton and 567 in Calgary.

Alberta's COVID-19 death toll stands at 248 people.

Hinshaw also says 16 COVID-19 cases have been detected in 16 schools, but in each case the virus was acquired elsewhere, with the carrier being infectious while they were in a school.

“Other numbers are not relevant to school transmission risk and simply cause confusion and anxiety," she said.

She also provided new details on an online map that will list every school where there have been two or more cases within a 14-day period. 

KENNEY ON B.C. RULE ROLLBACK

Earlier in the day, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was asked whether the province's increase in active cases would trigger steps to limit the spread of the disease.

On Tuesday, British Columbia announced it would impose tougher rules for bars, pubs and restaurants, which must now halt alcohol sales at 10 p.m. among other restrictions.

Kenney suggested the province is not taking similar measures because of the low number hospitalizations and ICU placements.

"We have abut 45 people in hospital in Alberta with COVID-19, about 10 in ICUs out of that 45. That is in a province of 4.5-million people," he said. "I want to commend Albertans for the tremendous personal responsibility they’ve demonstrated in the last six months and the real patience and discipline they’ve exhibited."

While Kenney said Albertans should be "concerned" about the recent increase in active cases, he doesn't believe the government can "micro-manage our way out of this."

"We think based on the advice of our chief medical officer, we currently have the right set of public health measures in place," he said.

Alberta does not currently have a limit on the number of people allowed in restaurants, cafes and bars as long as health measures are being followed.

With files from The Canadian Press.