Alberta now has 20,255 active cases and Premier Kenney announce that help will be accepted during the 4th wave crisis.

In an update today, (Thursday) Kenney said eight to ten ICU-trained staff members from the Canadian Armed Forces will be deployed to Edmonton.

The Red Cross will be sending up to 20 medical staff to the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

Newfoundland and Labrador will be sending six ICU-trained staff to Fort McMurray.

Kenney also announced that in a conversation with Prime Minister Trudeau, the province will secure an inventory of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

"We've heard from a growing number of unvaccinated Albertans that they are willing to receive the Johnson and Johnson vaccine rather than the three other vaccines currently available here," Kenney said.

The Premier also announced that the Government of Alberta will be implementing a proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy for all Alberta Public Service employees.

Employees will have until November 30 to submit proof of full vaccination.

Kenney said, “Our top priority throughout this pandemic has been ensuring the health and safety of all Albertans and that includes our public service. We know vaccines are the best way to keep everyone safe, so it makes sense for the Alberta Public Service to make this a requirement.”

The COVID-19 numbers reported on Thursday saw Alberta add another 1,706 new cases.

Hospitalizations dropped by one to 1,083 while ICU admissions dropped by five to 263.

Sadly, another 20 deaths were reported bringing the total to 2,717.

Vaccination uptake has increased with 83.6 per cent of Albertans having received one vaccine shot and 74.3 per cent are now fully vaccinated.  

Cochrane is reporting 117 active COVID-19 cases while Rocky View County is reporting 137.