EDMONTON

Edmonton Zone sets another record high as Alberta adds 143 new cases of COVID-19

Published Wednesday, October 7, 2020 3:58PM MDT Last Updated Wednesday, October 7, 2020 4:08PM MDT

A campaign worker steams the wrinkles from a large Alberta flag at the venue where United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney with address supporters Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, April 16, 2019.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

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EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Zone remained Alberta's COVID-19 hotspot on Wednesday as the area set another record high in active cases at 1,085.

Alberta added 143 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing its total case count to 19,354. There were no deaths reported on Wednesday, the first day without a reported fatality since Sept. 25.

The province's overall active case count rose by ten to 1,981.

As of Wednesday, there are 66 people receiving care for COVID-19 in Alberta hospitals, an increase of five from the number reported on Tuesday. Of them, 13 are in the intensive care ward, the same as reported 24 hours earlier.

Alberta reported a test positivity rate of 0.87 per cent based on 13,610 tests with 7,806 people tested.

The province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, is scheduled to return Thursday for an in-person briefing. The province is also expected to announce increased restrictions for the Edmonton Zone following a series of increases over the past weeks.