• Ontario reports 2,761+ new cases today for a total of 1,148,336+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,388 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 565+ new cases in Toronto, 163+ in Peel Region, 148+ in York, 122+ in Hamilton and 96+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 667 in hospital, 161 in intensive care and 89 on ventilator. There have been 1,118,196 cases resolved, up 1,818.
  • So far, there have been 32,004,466+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,101,350+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 17,654 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,447,647. There are 5,974 pending.
  • There were 46 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 256 resident cases, 115 staff. So far, 4,403 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ontario Provincial Police officials told a parliamentary committee that the force identified an unspecified threat to national security in early February while protests were underway in downtown Ottawa and elsewhere in the country.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 93+ new cases for a total of 65,065+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 760, up one. There are 775 active cases. There are eight in hospital, one in ICU. There are 17+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,370,614 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,721 with one dose of vaccine; 861,093 residents who have received a second dose, 537,678 have had three shots and 11,122 have received a fourth dose.
  • Ottawa Public Health says there is evidence of increased COVID-19 transmission in the community following the end of March Break and the lifting of mask mandates in the province.
  • Quebec is reporting 951,295+ confirmed cases, up 2,295. So far, 14,288 people have died. There are 1,062 people in hospital including 57 in intensive care. The province completed 17,540 PCR tests on March 22. So far, 18,896,401 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 36,001+ cases in total. There have been 291 deaths. There are 356 active cases and 35,354 cases resolved. There are eight in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 846,874 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,429,601+ cases with 37,366 deaths. There are 132,004+ active cases and there have been 3,260,231 cases resolved.
  • Even as cases of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant rise in Canada, the federal Conservatives want the government to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions and has tabled a motion in the House of Commons Thursday demanding an end to the vaccine mandate for federal public servants, transport workers, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and the RCMP.
  • Worldwide there have been 477,456,905+ cases, 6,110,611+ deaths and 10,858,198,501+ vaccine doses have been administered.

COVID-19 by the numbers

Note: The following graphics show cases reported by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Numbers may lag behind local reports.

Click here for more COVID-19 graphic

March 24

  • Ontario reports 2,561+ new cases today for a total of 1,145,575+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,366 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 565+ new cases in Toronto, 163+ in Peel Region, 148+ in York, 122+ in Hamilton and 96+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 661 in hospital, 165 in intensive care and 90 on ventilator. There have been 1,116,378 cases resolved, up 1,990.
  • So far, there have been 32,004,466+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,101,350+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 15,515 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,429,993. There are 6,404 pending.
  • There were 46 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 256 resident cases, 115 staff. So far, 4,403 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Public health officials tracking the prevalence of COVID-19 in Ontario through municipal wastewater testing say they’re seeing a “sustained increase” in the viral signal in a variety of locations across Ontario, a sign that the number of cases are on the rise.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 93+ new cases for a total of 65,065+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 760, up one. There are 775 active cases. There are eight in hospital, one in ICU. There are 17+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,370,614 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,721 with one dose of vaccine; 861,093 residents who have received a second dose, 537,678 have had three shots and 11,122 have received a fourth dose.
  • Children looking to be tested for COVID-19 who would have gone to the Brewer Park Arena are now being directed to CHEO. In Orléans: the site at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex has closed. A new drive-in site opens Friday at the Orléans Health Hub at 2225 Mer-Bleue Rd. People who are able will get a test kit, swab themselves and give the kit to the lab.  
  • The Crown has laid more charges against Tamara Lich, Chris Barber and Pat King, three key leaders of the so-called Freedom Convoy. Lich and Barber are now jointly accused of mischief, counselling mischief, obstructing police, counselling to obstruct police, counselling intimidation, and intimidation by blocking and obstructing one or more highways. Barber already faced charges including counselling to commit mischief, counselling to disobey a court order, counselling to obstruct police, and mischief that interferes with the use and enjoyment of property. Lich was just charged with counselling to commit mischief. King now faces new additional charges: two counts of intimidation, two of obstructing police, a charge of disobeying a court order and another of counselling intimidation. King had been previously charged with mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to obstruct police and counselling to disobey a court order. Those charges remain. Lich and Barber will be back in court in April; King on April 4.
  • Quebec is reporting 951,295+ confirmed cases, up 2,295. So far, 14,288 people have died. There are 1,062 people in hospital including 57 in intensive care. The province completed 17,540 PCR tests on March 22. So far, 18,896,401 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 36,001+ cases in total. There have been 291 deaths. There are 356 active cases and 35,354 cases resolved. There are eight in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 846,874 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • Residents of long-term care and retirement homes in the province will be first on the list to get another booster by early next week, said Dr. Luc Boileau, interim public health director, says. Any Quebecer aged 80 and up will also have access to the new dose. The concern is the rising number of cases caused by the Omicron subvariant BA.2 which is 30 to 50 per cent more contagious than Omicron.
  • In Canada, 3,419,779+ cases with 37,286 deaths. There are 126,814+ active cases and there have been 3,255,679 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 475,915,843+ cases, 6,105,530+ deaths and 10,835,408,732+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 23

  • Ontario reports 2,149+ new cases today for a total of 1,143,014+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,356 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 322+ new cases in Toronto, 101+ in Peel Region, 95+ in York, 100+ in Hamilton and 58+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 611 in hospital, 174 in intensive care and 90 on ventilator. There have been 1,114,388 cases resolved, up 2,149.
  • So far, there have been 31,994,276+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,098,568+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 18,267 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,414,478. There are 5,724 pending.
  • There were 46 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 263 resident cases, 120 staff. So far, 4,400 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 93+ new cases for a total of 65,065+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 760, up one. There are 775 active cases. There are eight in hospital, one in ICU. There are 17+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,370,614 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,721 with one dose of vaccine; 861,093 residents who have received a second dose, 537,678 have had three shots and 11,122 have received a fourth dose.
  • As COVID-19 restrictions lift, Ottawa city council meets in person today for the first time in two years.
  • Meanwhile, wastewater testing is showing a significant rise in the level of coronavirus over the past 10 days of available data.
  • Zexi Li, the woman who became a symbol of Ottawa residents’ resistance to the Freedom Convoy, was given the mayor’s city builder award at Wednesday’s council meeting for her role in helping silence trucker horns during the three-week occupation that shook many Centretown residents.
  • Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is urging the federal government to bring its workers back to downtown offices to help revive struggling downtown businesses. Meanwhile councillors on Ottawa’s transit commission want the federal government to cover the cost of a major ridership deficit on OC Transpo because of public servants working from home.
  • Quebec is reporting 949,000+ confirmed cases, up 2,111. So far, 14,274 people have died. There are 1,034 people in hospital including 50 in intensive care. The province completed 16,251 PCR tests on March 21. So far, 18,890,641 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,947+ cases in total. There have been 290 deaths. There are 323 active cases and 35,334 cases resolved. There are eight in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 846,669 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • The province has announced in its budget a one-time, lump-sum payment for every Quebecer who makes $100,000 or less in an effort to help citizens cope with rising inflation. The amount will be based on the 2021 tax return.
  • In Canada, 3,412,424+ cases with 37,240 deaths. There are 122,426+ active cases and there have been 3,252,758 cases resolved.
  • A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute shows workers from home reluctant to return to the office. More than half (56 per cent) of those working from home say they would look for a new job if they were asked to return to the office, including almost one-quarter (23 per cent) who say they would quit on the spot.
  • Worldwide there have been 474,209,152+ cases, 6,099,870+ deaths and 10,834,848,958+ vaccine doses have been administered.
  • Moderna’s small dose COVID-19 vaccine works in babies, toddlers and preschoolers, the company announced Wednesday. The company expects to seek authorization in the U.S. and Europe soon. Canada is likely to follow soon after.

March 22

  • Ontario reports 1,447+ new cases today for a total of 1,140,865+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,343 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 322+ new cases in Toronto, 101+ in Peel Region, 95+ in York, 100+ in Hamilton and 58+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 639 in hospital, 179 in intensive care and 93 on ventilator. There have been 1,112,239 cases resolved, up 1,562.
  • So far, there have been 31,983,452+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,095,886+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 10,433 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,396,211. There are 6,386 pending.
  • There were 45 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 249 resident cases, 112 staff. So far, 4,399 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 43+ new cases for a total of 64,972+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 759, up one. There are 777 active cases. There are eight in hospital, one in ICU. There are 15+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,370,614 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,721 with one dose of vaccine; 861,093 residents who have received a second dose, 537,678 have had three shots and 11,122 have received a fourth dose.
  • COVID consequences: Nearly 18 months after being elected and with only seven months left in the term, Catherine Kitts, Cumberland ward’s city councillor, will take her seat in the council chambers for the first time on Wednesday. CTV has more.
  • Quebec is reporting 946,889+ confirmed cases, up 1,383. So far, 14,272 people have died. There are 1,043 people in hospital including 46 in intensive care. The province completed 11,778 PCR tests on March 20. So far, 18,887,109 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,923+ cases in total. There have been 289 deaths. There are 333 active cases and 35,301 cases resolved. There are six in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 846,594 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,404,283+ cases with 37,209 deaths. There are 122,435+ active cases and there have been 3,244,639 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 472,253,085+ cases, 6,094,903+ deaths and 10,817,167,235+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 21

  • Ontario reports 1,217+ new cases today for a total of 1,139,418+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,336 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 264+ new cases in Toronto, 60+ in Peel Region, 95+ in York, 44+ in Hamilton and 55+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 551 in hospital, 181 in intensive care and 94 on ventilator. There have been 1,110,677 cases resolved, up 1,317.
  • So far, there have been 31,975,075+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,093,744+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 8,644 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,385,778. There are 3,430 pending.
  • There were 45 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 234 resident cases, 101 staff. So far, 4,400 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Most of Ontario’s mask mandates — including in schools, restaurants, gyms and stores — are now no longer in effect. The vaccine passport had already been already lifted. All other Ontario COVID-19 restrictions will expire April 27. Masks are still mandatory on OC Transpo buses, O-Train vehicles and all transit stations, hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care homes, congregate care settings, such as shelters and jails, uOttawa, Carleton University and Algonquin College.
  • The Ontario government is introducing new legislation to prevent illegal blockades at international border crossings, giving law enforcement additional tools to suspend vehicle permits and seize licence plates.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 209+ new cases over the past three days for a total of 64,929+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 758, up two. There are 822 active cases. There are eight in hospital, none in ICU. There are 14+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,370,614 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,721 with one dose of vaccine; 861,093 residents who have received a second dose, 537,678 have had three shots and 11,122 have received a fourth dose.
  • Council, which meets in person Wednesday for the first time in two years, will vote this week on a plan to defer property tax payments for business owners who were affected by the “Freedom Convoy” demonstration in downtown Ottawa.
  • Quebec is reporting 945,506+ confirmed cases, up 907. So far, 14,265 people have died. There are 1,002 people in hospital including 48 in intensive care. The province completed 10,238 PCR tests on March 19. So far, 18,883,014 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,842+ cases in total. There have been 289 deaths. There are 339 active cases and 35,214 cases resolved. There are five in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 845,314 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,385,054+ cases with 37,099 deaths. There are 115,020+ active cases and there have been 3,232,935 cases resolved.
  • A new study from the Angus Reid Institute shows that remote learning has been a challenge for Canadian households, say seven-in-10 parents with children between the ages of six and 17. And three-quarters say their children have more screen time and less social time.
  • Worldwide there have been 470,858,002+ cases, 6,078,500+ deaths and 10,804,481,823+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 18

  • Ontario reports 2,502+ new cases today for a total of 1,134,443+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,313 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 363+ new cases in Toronto, 137+ in Peel Region, 423+ in York, 106+ in Hamilton and 91+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 615 in hospital, 193 in intensive care and 97 on ventilator. There have been 1,106,136 cases resolved, up 1,899.
  • So far, there have been 31,929,540+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,079,940+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 14,198 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,353,987. There are 4,856 pending.
  • There were 45 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 234 resident cases, 101 staff. So far, 4,392 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • The scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, Dr. Peter Jüni, says he is stepping down in a few weeks for family reasons and has accepted a tenured professorship at the University of Oxford in England.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 142+ new cases for a total of 64,720+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 756, up one. There are 842 active cases. There are 12 in hospital, two in ICU. There are 11+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,364,364 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,247 with one dose of vaccine; 859,724 residents who have received a second dose, 534,090 have had three shots and 10,003 have received a fourth dose.
  • One of the leaders of the convoy occupation is back in court still seeking release on bail. Pat King, 44, faces charges of mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to obstruct justice. He will be back in court Monday.
  • Quebec is reporting 942,282+ confirmed cases, up 1,170. So far, 14,245 people have died. There are 1,021 people in hospital including 45 in intensive care. The province completed 15,461 PCR tests on March 16. So far, 18,860,984 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,842+ cases in total. There have been 289 deaths. There are 339 active cases and 35,214 cases resolved. There are five in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 845,314 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • According to statistics provided to Radio-Canada, patients treated in eight hospitals under the Centre intégré de santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSO) in western Quebec waited an average of 18.9 hours for a hospital bed from Jan. 30 to Feb. 26 this year. That’s up from 18.3 hours during the same period in 2021, and well below CISSO’s 12-hour goal.
  • In Canada, 3,385,054+ cases with 37,101 deaths. There are 115,018+ active cases and there have been 3,232,935 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 466,137,206+ cases, 6,067,113+ deaths and 10,760,896,688+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 17

  • Ontario reports 2,398+ new cases today for a total of 1,131,941+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,307 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 363+ new cases in Toronto, 137+ in Peel Region, 423+ in York, 106+ in Hamilton and 91+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 644 in hospital, 199 in intensive care and 97 on ventilator. There have been 1,104,237 cases resolved, up 2,395.
  • So far, there have been 31,929,540+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,079,940+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 14,648 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,339,789. There are 5,206 pending.
  • There were 45 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 247 resident cases, 98 staff. So far, 4,392 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • The medical experts on Ontario’s science table say hospital and ICU occupancy are projected to increase over the next few weeks, but will not reach the numbers seen during January’s Omicron surge. The table projects it will also be for a “limited period of time,” though that depends on peoples’ behaviour. The group estimates that the current daily number of infections is between 15,000 to 20,000, based on wastewater data. The projections were released as the province prepares to drop all remaining masking rules and emergency orders on April 27.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 130+ new cases for a total of 64,578+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 755. There are 779 active cases. There are 11 in hospital, two in ICU. There are nine+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,364,364 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,247 with one dose of vaccine; 859,724 residents who have received a second dose, 534,090 have had three shots and 10,003 have received a fourth dose.
  • Ottawa Public Health says it expects to see an increase in COVID-19 transmission as there are more opportunities for interaction because of loosened restrictions. The latest Ottawa monitoring indicators available show that new outbreaks and hospitalizations are stable. However, wastewater levels and the positivity rate of those being tested have been increasing, indicating an increase in transmission. 
  • Quebec is reporting 941,112+ confirmed cases, up 1,462. So far, 14,232 people have died. There are 1,034 people in hospital including 50 in intensive care. The province completed 15,663 PCR tests on March 15. So far, 18,853,949 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,770+ cases in total. There have been 289 deaths. There are 355 active cases and 35,126 cases resolved. There are six in hospital, two in intensive care. There have been 845,164 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,379,200+ cases with 37,020 deaths. There are 115,048+ active cases and there have been 3,227,132 cases resolved.
  • The federal government says that Canada will end its pre-entry COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers starting April 1.
  • Health Canada has approved the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of six and 11 years old.
  • Worldwide there have been 464,084,733+ cases, 6,060,096+ deaths and 10,748,496,891+ vaccine doses have been administered.
  • Covifenz, a plant-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Quebec biopharmaceutical firm Medicago and approved for use by Health Canada will “very likely” not be approved for emergency use because of the company’s ties to the tobacco industry, a World Health Organization official said Wednesday.
  • A new study out of Hong Kong indicates that the Omicron variant might be surviving longer on everyday objects. This means hand hygiene and frequent disinfection of common touch surfaces in public areas is very important the researchers conclude. 

March 16

  • Ontario reports 2,011+ new cases today for a total of 1,129,543+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,288 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 327+ new cases in Toronto, 183+ in Peel Region, 102+ in York, 69+ in Hamilton and 63+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 649 in hospital, 204 in intensive care and 103 on ventilator. There have been 1,101,842 cases resolved, up 2,060.
  • So far, there have been 31,915,294+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,075,512+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 15,702 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,325,141. There are 5,890 pending.
  • There were 41 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 277 resident cases, 110 staff. So far, 4,386 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 126+ new cases for a total of 64,448+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 755, up one. There are 733 active cases. There are 11 in hospital, two in ICU. There are nine+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,364,364 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,247 with one dose of vaccine; 859,724 residents who have received a second dose, 534,090 have had three shots and 10,003 have received a fourth dose.
  • The chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is urging the province to slow the removal of COVID-19 restrictions that are to end March 21.
  • The board says it will reinstate 146 unvaccinated.
  • Ottawa’s two largest universities will maintain mandatory mask and vaccine rules on campus until the end of the winter semester.
  • Quebec is reporting 939,650+ confirmed cases, up 1,380. So far, 14,213 people have died. There are 1,073 people in hospital including 56 in intensive care. The province completed 15,059 PCR tests on March 14. So far, 18,847,871 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,736+ cases in total. There have been 289 deaths. There are 347 active cases and 35,100 recoveries. There are eight in hospital, four in intensive care. There have been 844,920 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé has tabled a bill in the National Assembly which will lift the pandemic state of emergency after two long years.
  • In Canada, 3,373,339+ cases with 36,990 deaths. There are 113,898+ active cases and there have been 3,222,451 cases resolved.
  • Media reports indicate the federal government will end pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for travellers entering Canada by April 1.
  • Statistics Canada says the annual inflation rate hit 5.7 per cent in February, its highest level since August 1991 and the second straight month over five per cent.
  • Worldwide there have been 461,860,950+ cases, 6,052,806+ deaths and 10,734,911,486+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 15

  • Ontario reports 1,076+ new cases today for a total of 1,127,532+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,272 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 235+ new cases in Toronto, 90+ in Peel Region, 64+ in York, 36+ in Hamilton and 45+ in Windsor-Essex. There are 688 in hospital, 220 in intensive care and 112 on ventilator. There have been 1,099,782 cases resolved, up 1,593.
  • So far, there have been 31,900,491+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,071,173+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 9,698 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,309,439. There are 6,421 pending.
  • There were 44 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 297 resident cases, 117 staff. So far, 4,386 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ontario has ended the requirement for mandatory vaccination and testing policies in schools, long-term care homes and hospitals.
  • Reports say that the Ontario government is planning to soon make permanent an hourly wage increase for personal support workers that was brought in during the pandemic.
  • CBC reports on polling that shows Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet received their worst results of the pandemic as Omicron slammed Ontario.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 39+ new cases for a total of 64,283+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 754, up two. There are 734 active cases. There are 10 in hospital, one in ICU. There are 10+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,364,364 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,247 with one dose of vaccine; 859,724 residents who have received a second dose, 534,090 have had three shots and 10,003 have received a fourth dose.
  • Quebec is reporting 938,270+ confirmed cases, up 1,023. So far, 14,202 people have died. There are 1,077 people in hospital including 66 in intensive care. The province completed 11,166 PCR tests on March 13. So far, 18,843,010 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,712+ cases in total. There have been 288 deaths. There are 353 active cases and 35,071 recoveries. There are eight in hospital, four in intensive care. There have been 844,920 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,367,292+ cases with 36,944 deaths. There are 112,014+ active cases and there have been 3,218,334 cases resolved.
  • Canadians are divided about the swiftness of public health measure reduction, and open to keep key restrictions in place for longer if necessary, a new survey from the Angus Reid Institute shows.
  • Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest has tested positive for COVID-19. Charest, who is running to be federal Conservative party leader, shared the news on his Twitter account Monday evening.
  • Worldwide there have been 459,978,828+ cases, 6,047,190+ deaths and 10,717,746,169+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 14

  • Ontario reports 1,116+ new cases today for a total of 1,126,456+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,256 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus). There were 244+ new cases in Toronto, 43+ in Peel Region, 60+ in York, 48+ in Hamilton and 37+ in Windsor-Essex. Hospitalization numbers are not available. There are 228 in intensive care, 111 on a ventilator. There have been 1,098,189 cases resolved, up 1,333.
  • So far, there have been 31,888,794+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,067,956+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 7,565 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,299,741. There are 2,475 pending.
  • There were 43 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 258 resident cases, 113 staff. So far, 4,382 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ontario has ended the requirement for mandatory vaccination and testing policies in schools, long-term care homes and hospitals.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 256+ new cases over the weekend for a total of 64,283+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 752. There are 802 active cases. There are eight in hospital, one in ICU. There are 10+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,364,364 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 960,247 with one dose of vaccine; 859,724 residents who have received a second dose, 534,090 have had three shots and 10,003 have received a fourth dose.
  • Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustees will discuss the end to mask mandates on March 21 and what to do about that in OCDSB schools.
  • Quebec is reporting 937,247+ confirmed cases, up 670. So far, 14,182 people have died. There are 1,077 people in hospital including 61 in intensive care. The province completed 9,178 PCR tests on March 12. So far, 18,838,967 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,634+ cases in total. There have been 288 deaths. There are 388 active cases and 34,958 recoveries. There are 10 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 844,728 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,360,142+ cases with 36,881 deaths. There are 112,577+ active cases and there have been 3,210,684 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 456,908,767+ cases, 6,041,077+ deaths and 10,688,686,489+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 11

  • Ontario reports 2,130+ new cases for a total of 1,121,694+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,227 deaths. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19, excluding those not directly by the virus. Ontario removed more than 400 deaths from its official COVID-19 count because, the province said, further analysis revealed the causes of those deaths weren’t related to the disease.). There were 304+ new cases in Toronto, 110+ in Peel Region, 104+ in York, 122+ in Hamilton and 87+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 717+ in hospital. There were 238 in intensive care, 134 on a ventilator. There have been 1,093,499 cases resolved, up 2,523.
  • So far, there have been 31,850,821+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,055,691+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 14,571 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,267,297. There are 4,938 pending.
  • There were 43 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 258 resident cases, 113 staff. So far, 4,380 residents have died. (The province has changed the way it counts deaths from COVID-19 excluding those not directly by the virus).
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 162 new cases for a total of 64,027+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 752, up one. There are 833 active cases. There are seven in hospital, two in ICU. There are 13+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,358,984 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,804 with one dose of vaccine; 858,451 residents who have received a second dose, 530,741 have had three shots and 9,988 have received a fourth dose.
  • Retail analysts say total economic damages may range from about $44 million up to $200 million for the 23 days trucks and protesters occupied Centretown streets. CBC has more.
  • After more than two years of pandemic lockdowns, the Ottawa Jazz Festival returns with live shows from June 24 to July 3 in Confederation Park. On the bill are Buddy Guy; the Blind Boys of Alabama; Emmylou Harris & the Red Dirt Boys and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
  • Quebec is reporting 934,622+ confirmed cases, up 1,179. So far, 14,154 people have died. There are 1,126 people in hospital including 65 in intensive care. The province completed 15,283 PCR tests on March 9. So far, 18,814,839 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,597+ cases in total. There have been 288 deaths. There are 389 active cases and 34,920 recoveries. There are 13 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 843,147 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • As of March 12, all public venues in Quebec may operate at 100 per cent capacity. The vaccine passport requirement also ends on Saturday. Restaurants, bars, taverns and casinos can resume regular business hours without enforcing seating limits at tables. Dancing and karaoke will be permitted once again. Private seniors’ residences will no longer need to keep a registry of visitors.
  • In Canada, 3,349,647+ cases with 37,229 deaths. There are 111,754+ active cases and there have been 3,200,664 cases resolved.
  • The unemployment rate dropped 1.0 percentage points to 5.5 per cent in February, Statistics Canada says, a lower mark than in February 2020 (5.7 per cent) and similar to the record low (5.4 per cent) observed in May 2019.
  • A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute shows just more than half of Canadians say their mental health has worsened over the past two years of pandemic, while one-in-three say it has not changed greatly either way and one-in-eight say they feel better mentally now than when the pandemic began.
  • Worldwide there have been 453,656,725+ cases, 6,031,330+ deaths and 10,664,354,414+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 10

  • Ontario reports 2,125+ new cases for a total of 1,119,564+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,638 deaths. There were 305+ new cases in Toronto, 162+ in Peel Region, 83+ in York, 90+ in Hamilton and 88+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 742+ in hospital. There were 244 in intensive care, 130 on a ventilator. There have been 1,090,976 cases resolved, up 2,361.
  • So far, there have been 31,835,724+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,051,391+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 14,695 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,252,726. There are 5,141 pending.
  • There were 47 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 223 resident cases, 131 staff. So far, 4,503 residents have died.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 132 new cases for a total of 63,865+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 752, up one. There are 832 active cases and there have been 61,847 cases resolved. There are eight in hospital, two in ICU. There are 13+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,358,984 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,804 with one dose of vaccine; 858,451 residents who have received a second dose, 530,741 have had three shots and 9,988 have received a fourth dose.
  • The medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit says March 21 is too soon to lift the provincial rule requiring people to mask up in many public places, CBC reports.
  • The Iconic Cafe, located on Slater Street just a few blocks from Parliament Hill, has been evicted after staying open during the weeks-long occupation in downtown Ottawa. It was used as a staging area for protesters — in some instances, prominent protest leaders would broadcast on social media from inside the cafe. 
  • Data released under freedom of information laws to the CBC reveal just how stretched Ottawa’s paramedic service became in the last week of December, when dispatchers had no City of Ottawa ambulances available to transport patients for between eight and 18 hours a day.
  • Quebec is reporting  933,443+ confirmed cases, up 1,267. So far, 14,141 people have died. There are 1,162 people in hospital including 68 in intensive care. The province completed 14,046 PCR tests on March 8. So far, 18,806,532 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,597+ cases in total. There have been 288 deaths. There are 389 active cases and 34,920 recoveries. There are 13 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 843,147 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • Starting Saturday, Quebecers who have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person but do not have symptoms will no longer be required to isolate for five days. They are encouraged to wear a mask and avoid outings without a mask, public health officials say.
  • In Canada, 3,342,247+ cases with 37,157 deaths. There are 112,117+ active cases and there have been 3,192,973 cases resolved.
  • Two years after the pandemic was declared in this country, a new Angus Reid survey shows that 82 per cent of those Canadians asked believe the pandemic has pulled people apart as opposed to bringing them together (18 per cent). Some 79 per cent say this period has brought out the worst, not the best (21 per cent) in people. Nearly two-thirds say Canadian compassion has weakened.
  • Worldwide there have been 451,853,411+ cases, 6,023,941+ deaths and 10,648,970,080+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 9

  • Ontario reports 1,947+ new cases for a total of 1,117,439+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,618 deaths. There were 295+ new cases in Toronto, 158+ in Peel Region, 94+ in York, 61+ in Hamilton and 45+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 751+ in hospital. There were 241 in intensive care, 132 on a ventilator. There have been 1,088,615 cases resolved, up 1,951.
  • So far, there have been 31,821,019+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,047,319+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 17,571 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,238,031. There are 5,826 pending.
  • There were 48 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 211 resident cases, 129 staff. So far, 4,501 residents have died.
  • Masking requirements will be removed in most indoor settings in the province, including restaurants, retail and grocery stores and schools. Mandates will remain in place for public transit, long-term care and retirement homes, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings. Other measures in schools will also be lifted on that date, including removing cohorting and daily on-site screening. In addition, all other regulatory requirements for businesses will be removed, including passive screening and safety plans. On April 27, all remaining mask requirements and emergency orders will expire. 
  • The province will no longer report deaths of people with the virus who died of an unrelated cause. Instead, the Ministry of Health will only report deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause, contributed to the underlying cause or where the cause of death is unknown or missing. 
  • The Reopening Ontario Act (ROA), which allows the government to issue public health directives at the provincial level, will expire on March 28. A final extension of all the emergency orders in place under the ROA will be in effect for 30 days after that date.
  • As election fever intensifies in Ontario, the provincial NDP is proposing making it easier for doctors and nurses trained outside of Canada to work in their field in the province. The promise include measures to smooth the way for foreign-trained doctors and nurses to gain the work experience they need to get accreditation from Ontario’s medical regulators.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 170 new cases for a total of 63,731+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 751. There are 865 active cases and there have been 61,847 cases resolved. There are eight in hospital, no one in ICU. There are 13+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,358,984 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,804 with one dose of vaccine; 858,451 residents who have received a second dose, 530,741 have had three shots and 9,988 have received a fourth dose.
  • Quebec is reporting 932,176+ confirmed cases, up 1,426. So far, 14,126 people have died. There are 1,222 people in hospital including 69 in intensive care. The province completed 15,132 PCR tests on March 7. So far, 18,799,482 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,521+ cases in total. There have been 288 deaths. There are 383 active cases and 34,850 recoveries. There are 13 in hospital, six in intensive care. There have been 842,815 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,331,670+ cases with 37,039 deaths. There are 113,187+ active cases and there have been 3,181,444 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 448,115,752+ cases, 6,009,179+ deaths and 10,619,810,511+ vaccine doses have been administered.
  • A new U.K. study published in the journal Nature has found that there is greater tissue damage and shrinkage in the brains of those who had even mild cases of COVID-19, with most of the changes relating to areas of the brain that have to do with smell.

March 8

  • Ontario reports 1,208+ new cases for a total of 1,115,492+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,591 deaths. There were 242+ new cases in Toronto, 76+ in Peel Region, 55+ in York, 45+ in Hamilton and 56+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 779+ in hospital. There were 246 in intensive care, 141 on a ventilator. There have been 1,086,664 cases resolved, up 1,653.
  • So far, there have been 31,807,255+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,043,537+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 11,128 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,220,460. There are 8,026 pending.
  • There were 56 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 206 resident cases, 148 staff. So far, 4,495 residents have died.
  • Ontario independent MPP Randy Hillier has been suspended from Twitter after months of speaking out against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 69 new cases for a total of 63,472+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 750, up one. There are 875 active cases and there have been 61,847 cases resolved. There are 13 in hospital, no one in ICU. There are 13+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,358,984 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,804 with one dose of vaccine; 858,451 residents who have received a second dose, 530,741 have had three shots and 9,988 have received a fourth dose. Wastewater testing shows an increased presence of coronavirus and has been trending up since the end of February.
  • The RCMP told MPs Monday that it only gave the names of people directly involved in the Ottawa protests to banks to freeze their accounts — and not the names of supporters who donated to the so-called Freedom Convoy.
  • Ottawa’s interim police chief, Steve Bell, says the service is investigating the possibility that local officers may have supported and helped the “Freedom Convoy” protesters and would consider “all possible range of discipline” for those who did.
  • There will be an RBC Ottawa Bluesfest this summer, COVID-19 willing. The event will take place July 7-17 on several stages next to the Canadian War Museum. Headliners includes Alanis Morissette, Rage Against The Machine and The National.
  • Quebec is reporting 930,750+ confirmed cases, up 935. So far, 14,120 people have died. There are 1,252 people in hospital including 77 in intensive care. The province completed 11,443 PCR tests on March 6. So far, 18,794,196 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,497+ cases in total. There have been 288 deaths. There are 403 active cases and 34,806 recoveries. There are 11 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 842,815 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • The Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées (AQDR), a group that advocates for seniors’ rights in Quebec, wants the owners of private senior’s residences to reimburse their tenants for services they lost as a result of COVID-19 health restrictions. 
  • In Canada, 3,331,670+ cases with 37,039 deaths. There are 113,187+ active cases and there have been 3,181,444 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 448,115,752+ cases, 6,009,179+ deaths and 10,619,810,511+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 7

  • Ontario reports 1,074+ new cases for a total of 1,114,284+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,574 deaths. There were 270+ new cases in Toronto, 143+ in Peel Region, 78+ in York, 65+ in Hamilton and 84+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 693+ in hospital. There were 249 in intensive care, 140 on a ventilator. There have been 1,085,011 cases resolved, up 1,365.
  • So far, there have been 31,797,518+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,040,581+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 9,447 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,209,332. There are 3,374 pending.
  • There were 61 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 192 resident cases, 148 staff. So far, 4,497 residents have died.
  • Justin Bates, the CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA), said the association is in active discussion with the Ministry of Health about bringing a test to treat program for the administration of anti-virals to Ontario. CBC has more. 
  • Ontario is offering all nurses incentive pay of up to $5,000 per person to encourage job retention. The government says it will spend $763 million on the incentive. Payments will come from employers in two instalments, in a lump sum for full-time nurses and as a prorated payment for part-time and casual nursing staff. People must be employed as of March 31 to receive the first payment and Sept. 1 to receive the second. Nurses unions are not impressed.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 69 new cases for a total of 63,472+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 750, up one. There are 875 active cases and there have been 61,847 cases resolved. There are 13 in hospital, no one in ICU. There are 13+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,358,984 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,804 with one dose of vaccine; 858,451 residents who have received a second dose, 530,741 have had three shots and 9,988 have received a fourth dose. Wastewater testing shows an increased presence of coronavirus and has been trending up since the end of February.
  • Ottawa’s interim police chief is promising to rebuild trust with the community. Steve Bell issued a statement today that said in part the force would work to “rebuild public trust, continue to address systemic racism and violence against women, promote equity, diversity and inclusion, increase diversity-focused hiring and contribute to our communities through neighbourhood policing.”
  • Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has been released on bail and is under court order to return to Alberta within 24 hours. A proposed surety, tasked with supervising Lich while on release, put up a $20,000 cash bond to help ensure Lich will uphold her bail conditions. Lich is putting up an additional $5,000 cash bond.
  • Quebec is reporting 929,815+ confirmed cases, up 775. So far, 14,091 people have died. There are 1,254 people in hospital including 79 in intensive care. The province completed 10,410 PCR tests on March 5. So far, 18,789,070 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,416+ cases in total. There have been 287 deaths. There are 465 active cases and 34,664 recoveries. There are 19 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 842,309 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • Most elementary and high school students in Quebec are now no longer required to wear masks in class. 
  • Minimum physical distancing requirements will drop from two metres to one between workers in Quebec workplaces, other than in health care. Quebec’s workplace health and safety board (CNESST) says wearing a mask will continue to be mandatory if there is no physical distancing or physical barriers.
  • In Canada, 3,323,338+ cases with 36,986 deaths. There are 113,304+ active cases and there have been 3,173,048 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 446,464,877+ cases, 6,000,864+ deaths and 10,605,774,738+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 4

  • Ontario reports 2,085+ new cases for a total of 1,109,493+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,525 deaths, up 28. There were 324+ new cases in Toronto, 120+ in Peel Region, 92+ in York, 66+ in Hamilton and 81+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 821+ in hospital. There were 262 in intensive care, 156 on a ventilator. There have been 1,080,064 cases resolved, up 2,079.
  • So far, there have been 31,753,871+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,027,179+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 15,925 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,173,502. There are 5,843 pending.
  • There were 61 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 179 resident cases, 136 staff. So far, 4,491 residents have died.
  • Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Christine Elliott, will not run in the June election.
  • The Ontario government is sending $10 million to Invest Ottawa for grants to help businesses that lost money during the occupation of downtown streets earlier this winter. Another $1.5 million will go to Ottawa Tourism to market the city.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 140 new cases for a total of 63,186+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 746, up three. There are 911 active cases and there have been 61,529 cases resolved. There are seven in hospital, no one in ICU. There are 16+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,356,023 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,601 with one dose of vaccine; 857,782 residents who have received a second dose, 528,748 have had three shots and 9,892 have received a fourth dose. Wastewater testing shows an increased presence of coronavirus and has been trending up since the end of February.
  • Quebec is reporting 926,920+ confirmed cases, up 1,354. So far, 14,056 people have died. There are 1,313 people in hospital including 80 in intensive care. The province completed 15,978 PCR tests on March 2. So far, 18,763,881 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,375+ cases in total. There have been 287 deaths. There are 499 active cases and 34,589 recoveries. There are 20 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 840,758 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • An unredacted document released by Quebec’s health ministry shows how Montreal Public Health urged the province not to impose a second curfew.
  • In Canada, 3,310,235+ cases with 36,843 deaths. There are 111,569+ active cases and there have been 3,161,823 cases resolved.
  • Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo said he plans to keep wearing a mask as an added layer of protection against infection. Public health officials say Canadians should routinely perform what they call “individual risk assessments” as restrictions are lifted.
  • Worldwide there have been 442,292,812+ cases, 5,983,244+ deaths and 10,563,767,744+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 3

  • Ontario reports 2,262+ new cases for a total of 1,107,408+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,497 deaths, up 19. There were 324+ new cases in Toronto, 120+ in Peel Region, 92+ in York, 66+ in Hamilton and 81+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 834+ in hospital. There were 267 in intensive care, 149 on a ventilator. There have been 1,077,985 cases resolved, up 2,293.
  • So far, there have been 31,736,824+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,022,492+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 16,606 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,157,577. There are 6,140 pending.
  • There were 63 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 198 resident cases, 151 staff. So far, 4,485 residents have died.
  • The Ministry of Transportation 39 suspension and seizure orders to large truck operators taking part in the convoy protest. The truck drivers penalized with provincial infractions for their involvement saw those penalties expire after a week. CBC has more.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 166 new cases for a total of 63,146+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 743, up one. There are 898 active cases and there have been 61,405 cases resolved. There are 11 in hospital, no one in ICU. There are 12+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,353,695 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,442 with one dose of vaccine; 857,348 residents who have received a second dose, 527,208 have had three shots and 9,697 have received a fourth dose.
  • Quebec is reporting 925,566+ confirmed cases, up 1,257. So far, 14,040 people have died. There are 1,364 people in hospital including 76 in intensive care. The province completed 16,959 PCR tests on March 1. So far, 18,754,683 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,375+ cases in total. There have been 287 deaths. There are 499 active cases and 34,589 recoveries. There are 20 in hospital, five in intensive care. There have been 840,758 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • As of March 12 — two days earlier than originally planned — Quebecers will no longer need to show proof of vaccination to enter public venues such as restaurants, bars, theatres or cinemas, and businesses will be allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity. The province intends to do away with mandatory mask rules in public spaces by mid-April, with the exception of public transit. The government intends to scrap the requirement to wear masks on the bus, metro and commuter trains in May. 
  • In Canada, 3,303,635+ cases with 36,729 deaths. There are 111,649+ active cases and there have been 3,155,257 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 441,139,258+ cases, 5,977,162+ deaths and 10,548,026,808+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 2

  • Ontario reports 1,959+ new cases for a total of 1,105,146+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,478 deaths, up 27. There were 223+ new cases in Toronto, 70+ in Peel Region, 80+ in York, 39+ in Hamilton and 37+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 847+ in hospital. There were 273 in intensive care, 165 on a ventilator. There have been 1,075,692 cases resolved, up 2,411.
  • So far, there have been 31,700,519+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,012,948+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 18,094 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,140,971. There are 6,312 pending.
  • There were 63 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 198 resident cases, 151 staff. So far, 4,483 residents have died.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 127 new cases for a total of 62,880+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 742, up one. There are 857 active cases and there have been 61,258 cases resolved. There are 11 in hospital, no one in ICU. There are 13+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,353,695 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,442 with one dose of vaccine; 857,348 residents who have received a second dose, 527,208 have had three shots and 9,697 have received a fourth dose.
  • The City of Ottawa is saying special ballots should be used in this fall’s municipal election, which will add more than $650,000 to the total cost of the city’s election period. Ottawa Public Health says in-person polling stations are fine to use in October, but there could be another COVID surge then.
  • A report prepared for the city’s transportation committee calls on councillors to approve allowing the closure of segments of any City of Ottawa road as a temporary measure, to waive the associated fees through to Jan. 1, 2023 and to allow all right of way patio permits issued in 2022 to be subject to a closure of 2 a.m.
  • Lawyers for Tamara Lich are trying to overturn the denial of bail for the key convoy organizer.
  • CBC News says at least 24 current and former members of the Ottawa Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police are on a publicly leaked list of names identified as apparent donors to GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding site used to support the weeks-long occupation in Ottawa. The OPP is investigating. Ottawa police (OPS) won’t say.
  • Tamara Lich, one of the most visible organizers of the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa, will remain in custody until at least March 7 awaiting a judge’s decision on a bail review.
  • Quebec is reporting 924,309+ confirmed cases, up 1,630. So far, 14,016 people have died. There are 1,381 people in hospital including 82 in intensive care. The province completed 17,424 PCR tests on Feb. 28. So far, 18,746,835 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,291+ cases in total. There have been 287 deaths. There are 505 active cases and 34,499 recoveries. There are 19 in hospital, six in intensive care. There have been 840,353 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,296,503+ cases with 36,638 deaths. There are 111,663+ active cases and there have been 3,148,202 cases resolved.
  • The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate to 0.5 per cent. It’s the first increase since 2018. More hikes are expected as the bank battles inflation.
  • Worldwide there have been 439,105,312+ cases, 5,967,756+ deaths and 10,550,812,953+ vaccine doses have been administered.

March 1

  • Ontario reports 1,176+ new cases for a total of 1,103,187+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,451 deaths, up 16. There were 223+ new cases in Toronto, 70+ in Peel Region, 80+ in York, 39+ in Hamilton and 37+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 914+ in hospital. There were 278 in intensive care, 162 on a ventilator. There have been 1,073,281 cases resolved, up 1,881.
  • So far, there have been 31,700,519+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,012,948+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 13,087 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,122,877. There are 5,767 pending.
  • There were 67 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 221 resident cases, 151 staff. So far, 4,477 residents have died.
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required starting today at most Ontario restaurants, gyms and movie theatres, while nightclubs, sporting and concert venues can get rid of capacity limits and restrictions lift on social gathering sizes. Premier Doug Ford has said mask mandates will likely be in place for at least a couple more weeks.
  • Powers that authorize police officers to revoke licences, order the removal of vehicles or fine people up to $100,000 for blocking critical infrastructure have been extended for two more weeks.
  • Ontario bureaucrats will be back in the office on April 4. Employees of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) will begin returning to work in person voluntarily this week.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 50 new cases for a total of 62,753+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 742, up one. There are 857 active cases and there have been 61,154 cases resolved. There are 14 in hospital, one in ICU. There are 14+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,331,291 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,309 with one dose of vaccine; 849,192 residents who have received a second dose and 522,790 have had three shots. Wastewater testing shows a continued decline in the presence of COVID-19. 
  • Ottawa Public Health is not planning to seek any local COVID-19 measures as the province ends most restrictions.
  • According to a report released by the city, Ottawa workers have cleaned up 40 cement mixer trucks worth of garbage. The trash has been collected in 16 large 25-cubic metre garbage bins. The city did ensure that all food products left behind were not sent to landfills. The Ottawa Citizen has more on the aftermath of the convoy protest.
  • Quebec is reporting  922,565+ confirmed cases, up 698. So far, 13,996 people have died. There are 1,439 people in hospital including 90 in intensive care. The province completed 15,067 PCR tests on Feb. 27. So far, 18,739,007 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,229+ cases in total. There have been 287 deaths. There are 529 active cases and 34,413 recoveries. There are 22 in hospital, six in intensive care. There have been 839,785 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • The Alberta government is moving to force all municipalities in the province to lift their COVID-19 mask bylaws. Alberta has lifted its mask mandate today as part of its general easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Calgary ended its face covering bylaw at the same time. However, the City of Edmonton’s bylaw remains in effect. Edmonton city council will discuss its mask bylaw March 8.
  • In Canada, 3,292,807+ cases with 36,595 deaths. There are 110,489+ active cases and there have been 3,145,723 cases resolved.
  • Federal buildings are ready to welcome public servants back as managers regimen the green light to reopen the doors.
  • Real gross domestic product grew 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021, following a 1.3 per cent rise in the third quarter, Statistics Canada reports. Real GDP posted a strong 4.6 per cent growth in 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced decline (-5.2 per. cent) in 2020.
  • Worldwide there have been 437,337,205+ cases, 5,958,817+ deaths and 10,545,362,572+ vaccine doses have been administered.
  • COVID-19 vaccines protected children and adolescents from severe disease even after the immune-evasive omicron variant emerged, according to findings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Vaccinated children and teens were less likely to get infected than their unvaccinated peers, the agency said in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
  • South Korea will no longer require people to show proof of vaccination or negative tests to enter any indoor space, even though the country is in the midst of an omicron surge that’s elevating hospitalizations and deaths.
  • Queen Elizabeth is back at work after heightened concern about her health after it was announced she had COVID-19.

Feb. 28

  • Ontario reports 1,315+ new cases for a total of 1,102,011+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,433 deaths, up three. There were 245+ new cases in Toronto, 54+ in Peel Region, 69+ in York, 39+ in Hamilton and 61+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 849+ in hospital. There were 279 in intensive care, 171 on a ventilator. There have been 1,071,400 cases resolved, up 1,605.
  • So far, there have been 31,673,271+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 12,005,680+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 12,116 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,109,790. There are 2,629 pending.
  • There were 72 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 267 resident cases, 159 staff. So far, 4,476 residents have died.
  • The Ontario government is introducing the Working for Workers Act  that would extend the province’s $15 an hour minimum wage to gig workers, including Uber drivers and other similar occupations.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 66 new cases for a total of 62,703+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total now is 741. There were 922 active cases and there have been 61,040 cases resolved. There are 16 in hospital, one in ICU. There are 16+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,331,291 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 959,309 with one dose of vaccine; 849,192 residents who have received a second dose and 522,790 have had three shots. Wastewater testing shows a continued decline in the presence of COVID-19. 
  • Funds donated to the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest will remain frozen pending the outcome of a proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of Ottawa residents. The parties in the case agreed to transfer cash and cryptocurrency to an escrow fund.
  • Quebec is reporting 921,877+ confirmed cases, up 845. So far, 13,981 people have died. There are 1,446 people in hospital including 94 in intensive care. The province completed 12,907 PCR tests on Feb. 26. So far, 18,727,801 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,162+ cases in total. There have been 287 deaths. There are 630 active cases and 34,245 recoveries. There are 25 in hospital, seven in intensive care. There have been 839,785 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • Sports tournaments are now allowed to resume in Quebec as the province lifts more restrictions. Also, bars and casinos can reopen at 50 per cent capacity. Patrons must remain seated. All bars, restaurants and casinos across Gatineau and Quebec are allowed to serve food and alcohol until 12 a.m., and must close at 1 a.m. Cinemas and theatres can operate at 100 per cent capacity. Capacity limits lifted for auditoriums and sports arenas that can accommodate fewer than 10,000 people. bars are allowed to reopen, and working from home will no longer be mandatory. 
  • Transport Canada is Transport Canada is investigating the case of a Sunwing representative at hotels in the Dominican Republic who promised customers guaranteed negative COVID-19 test results has been fired, Radio-Canada reports.
  • In Canada, 3,283,537+ cases with 36,537 deaths. There are 115,779+ active cases and there have been 3,131,221 cases resolved.
  • Air travellers landing to Canada can now take a rapid antigen test 24 hours before their flight, which is typically cheaper (generally under $100) and more convenient, as results are available within minutes.
  • Just more than half of Canadians surveyed in a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute say they feel they can’t keep up with the rising cost of living. A slight majority (53 per cent) agree that they can’t keep up, while 44 per cent say that they have yet to feel that level of pressure.
  • Worldwide there have been 435,501,420+ cases, 5,950,421+ deaths and 10,531,149,632+ vaccine doses have been administered.

Feb. 25

  • Ontario reports 2,427+ new cases for a total of 1,096,357+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,386 deaths, up 35. There were 357+ new cases in Toronto, 130+ in Peel Region, 94+ in York, 72+ in Hamilton and 103+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 1,003+ in hospital. There were 297 in intensive care, 186 on a ventilator. There have been 1,065,561 cases resolved, up 2,427.
  • So far, there have been 31,616,302+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 11,990,650+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 21,550 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,066,188. There are 5,749 pending.
  • There were 74 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 352 resident cases, 245 staff. So far, 4,463 residents have died.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 128 new cases for a total of 62,352+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total has been reduced by 14 and the total now is 740. There were 892 active cases and there have been 60,720 cases resolved. There are 17 in hospital, three in ICU. There are 20+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,322,756 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 958,846 with one dose of vaccine; 848,284 residents who have received a second dose and 515,626 have had three shots. Wastewater testing shows a continued decline in the presence of COVID-19. 
  • Facing several charges connected to the so-called Freedom Convoy occupation of the downtown, Pat King, the outspoken white supremacist and convoy protest organizer, has been denied bail. Justice of the Peace Andrew Seymour, who heard the application for bail, told King: “Thousands of people were all affected in a negative way. … Your actions were an assault on the rule of law.” King’s next day in court is expected to be March 18.
  • The city says that on Bank and Metcalfe streets, people can go up to Slater Street before seeing a police checkpoint. The Mackenzie King Bridge is open westbound. Police no longer consider this part of downtown as a secure zone. However officers will stop people headed into there area and ask their purpose for being there. An enhanced police presence will remain in the downtown core this weekend.
  • Quebec is reporting 918,821+ confirmed cases, up 1,542. So far, 13,955 people have died. There are 1,532 people in hospital including 105 in intensive care. The province completed 19,405 PCR tests on Feb. 23. So far, 18,686,463 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,106+ cases in total. There have been 286 deaths. There are 658 active cases and 34,162 recoveries. There are 27 in hospital, six in intensive care. There have been 837,358 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, 3,269,546+ cases with 36,377 deaths. There are 113,393+ active cases and there have been 3,119,776 cases resolved.
  • Omicron’s sub-variant BA.2 now makes up about 10 per cent of cases in Canada Dr. Theresa Tam says, adding the sub-variant does not appear to be more deadly than Omicron BA.1.
  • Worldwide there have been 431,852,879+ cases, 5,930,705+ deaths and 10,459,030,767+ vaccine doses have been administered.

Feb. 24

  • Ontario reports 2,404+ new cases for a total of 1,093,930+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,347 deaths, up 41. There were 224+ new cases in Toronto, 95+ in Peel Region, 81+ in York, 48+ in Hamilton and 39+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 1,066+ in hospital. There were 302 in intensive care, 192 on a ventilator. There have been 1,063,134 cases resolved, up 2,604.
  • So far, there have been 31,588,850+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 11,983,625+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 21,449 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,044,638. There are 6,875 pending.
  • There were 84 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 416 resident cases, 249 staff. So far, 4,457 residents have died.
  • A recent memo sent by the Ontario government’s assistant deputy minister of emergency health services to paramedic chiefs offers guidelines for ways to “alleviate pandemic-related stressors” contributing to offload delays. One suggestion is “batching” patients, so paramedic crews can more quickly return to service. Another urges paramedics to take patients to somewhere other than an emergency department, but under current law they’re still required to take people to hospital-based facilities, including urgent care centres.
  • Ontario’s top public health official, Dr. Keiran Moore, says that he anticipates that the mask mandate will be lifted “simultaneously” across most sectors when it is safe to do so, rather than on a piecemeal basis.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 187 new cases for a total of 62,224+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 754. There were 887 active cases and there have been 60,583 cases resolved. There are 16 in hospital, two in ICU. There are 21+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,322,756 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 958,846 with one dose of vaccine; 848,284 residents who have received a second dose and 515,626 have had three shots. Wastewater testing shows a continued decline in the presence of COVID-19. 
  • Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson announced Thursday afternoon the municipal state of emergency was being lifted.
  • Ottawa police say they have a plan to keep trucker convoy protesters out of downtown this weekend. Police are in an “observation” phase of their response to the protests. Interim Chief Steve Bell told a special meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board Thursday the operation is not over with rural protest camps set up. Police continue to monitor those camps and receive intelligence on them. The plan now, he said, is to make sure groups of protesters don’t get back into the city’s core.
  • Police said 122 of those arrested face criminal charges. Acting Deputy Chief Paul Burnett said Ottawa police received more than 2,100 calls for service related to the demonstrations. Police have launched 400 criminal investigations, 15 of those are hate or bias investigations. Some 4,200 provincial offence notices were issued, including parking and traffic tickets. The number of calls to the 911 emergency line jumped up 400 per cent, most part of an effort to disrupt service.
  • Media reports suggest that Ontario Ministry of Transport has suspended 12 Ontario large (transport) truck licences and issued 27 seizure orders against out-of-province truck operators related to the Ottawa protest blockades.
  • The National Arts Centre and the Canadian Museum of Nature will reopen Friday. The National Gallery, the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum will all reopen Saturday.
  • All five bridges over the Ottawa River are open, though there is a southbound lane closure on the Portage Bridge.
  • Quebec is reporting 917,279+ confirmed cases, up 1,517. So far, 13,931 people have died. There are 1,604 people in hospital including 96 in intensive care. The province completed 19,145 PCR tests on Feb. 22. So far, 18,670,559 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 35,051+ cases in total. There have been 286 deaths. There are 678 active cases and 34,027 recoveries. There are 27 in hospital, six in intensive care. There have been 837,358 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • Wait times for organ transplant in Quebec are growing, says Transplant Québec. The number of Quebecers waiting for a transplant increased by 86 people last year, up by more than 10 per cent — the sharpest increase in the past 10 years. Wait times for a heart transplant increased by 45 per cent in 2021, while wait times for livers and lungs improved, down 43 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively.
  • In Canada, there are 3,266,395+ cases with 36,323 deaths. There are 114,966+ active cases and there have been 3,114,109 cases resolved.
  • A Canadian-made COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by Health Canada. Regulators are allowing the use of Medicago’s unique plant-based jab, known as Covifenz, for adults 18 to 64. This is the sixth vaccine approved by Health Canada. Medicago is a biotechnology company based in Quebec City. Along with GlaxoSmithKline, it submitted Phase 3 data to Health Canada in December. The vaccine is said to be 75.3 per cent effective against the Delta variant in a late-stage study when enhanced by GlaxoSmithKline’s booster. Medicago’s vaccine uses recombinant technology, involving the genetic sequence of a virus, with living plants as the host. The resulting virus-like particles mimic the shape and dimensions of a virus, which allows the body to recognize them and spark an immune response.
  • Worldwide there have been 430,239,885+ cases, 5,920,665+ deaths and 10,441,529,797+ vaccine doses have been administered.
  • Reinfection by sub-variants of Omicron is possible, but rare, scientists in Denmark have found.

Feb. 23

  • After 10 days in force, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is revoking the Emergencies Act, now that the protest in downtown Ottawa is over and there is no longer an emergency, two days after the House of Commons supported the invocation. The act will end once the Governor General signs and issues a proclamation this evening. Trudeau added that there is an ongoing threat but he said existing legislation and police resources are able to manage the situation going forward.
  • Trudeau said, in response to a question, that the government and society will now have to consider the actions that sparked the convoy protests including misinformation, the changing shape of such occupations and the role foreign money played.
  • A parliamentary committee will be struck and in 60 days, a public inquiry will begin to examine the reasons why the act was invoked.
  • The state of emergency in Ontario invoked to respond to the convoy protests, and border crossing blockades has ended. However, the premier’s office confirmed that the emergency tools given to police “will be maintained” as they continue to “address ongoing activity on the ground.”
  • Senators have adjourned their debate on the Emergencies Act while the Canadian Civil Liberties Association will continue with its lawsuit against the use of the act.
  • City council has directed staff to look at options for the future of Wellington Street as a pedestrian area or even turned over to the federal government. The council acted on a motion brought by Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney.
  • In a unanimous decision Wednesday, city council approved offering free service on the O-Train Line 1 starting Friday and lasting until 30 days after the city’s state of emergency ends. Council heard Wednesday that the state of emergency would remain in effect until the federal and provincial emergency orders end. Free service on the LRT is estimated to cost $1.052 million, to be covered by transit reserves.
  • Council also approved a plan to offer free parking between Feb. 25 and March 31 at six city-owned parking lots in the downtown and ByWard Market areas to help encourage people to drive downtown and visit businesses. The lots affected are located at 210 Gloucester St., 234-250 Slater St., 422 Slater St., 70 Clarence St., 142 Clarence St., and 110 Laurier Ave. W.
  • Ottawa will celebrate Valentine’s Day one more time this year on March 14, city council decided today. The council motion directs the city’s communications and economic development staff to work with local BIAs and Ottawa Tourism to promote and encourage residents to shop, stay and dine local during the weekend leading up to and on March 14.
  • City Manager Steve Kanelakos told councillors that the convoy protest has cost the city about $30 million and counting. He expects exact numbers next week.
  • Meanwhile the Sparks Street Mall has reopened to pedestrians and all Queensway exits into downtown have opened.
  • There are four reported camps of protesters at rural locations outside of Ottawa.
  • Meanwhile a civics lesson on Twitter: “The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) is aware that misinformation encouraging citizens to contact the Governor General or our office to register votes of no confidence is circulating on social media. This information is not correct. No such registry or process exists.”
  • Ontario’s legislature has unanimously passed a motion authorizing the Speaker to bar Independent MPP Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston) from participating in the chamber. The motion says the Speaker is authorized to not recognize Hillier in the legislature until he publishes written apologies and the Speaker is satisfied of their sincerity.
  • Media reports suggest the about a dozen Ontario police officers donated to the so-called Freedom Convoy.” The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has launched an internal investigation. 
  • Winnipeg police say they’re confident a protest that’s been outside the Manitoba Legislative Building for nearly three weeks will end by a 5 p.m. deadline, though they’re planning for the possibility that doesn’t happen.
  • About 210 bank accounts holding $7.8 million were frozen when the federal government used emergency powers to end a massive protest occupation of downtown Ottawa. Federal officials report most of the accounts are now in the process of being released, something that is underpinned by the end of the invocation of the Emergencies Act. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said there will be some accounts still frozen because of ongoing court cases.
  • Ontario reports 1,425+ new cases for a total of 1,091,526+ cases. The province has seen a total of 12,306 deaths, up 19. There were 224+ new cases in Toronto, 95+ in Peel Region, 81+ in York, 48+ in Hamilton and 39+ in Windsor-Essex. There were 1,106+ in hospital. There were 319 in intensive care, 199 on a ventilator. There have been 1,060,530 cases resolved, up 2,701.
  • So far, there have been 31,559,024+ vaccinations delivered in Ontario, 11,976,167+ with two doses. 
  • The province had completed 15,692 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 23,023,189. There are 7,776 pending.
  • There were 116 outbreaks in a long term care home. There are 597 resident cases, 363 staff. So far, 4,451 residents have died.
  • Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office says that employment in the province rebounded strongly in 2021, with jobs increasing by 344,800 (a 4.9 per cent rise compared to 2020), the largest annual job gain on record, raising employment to pre-pandemic levels. However the unemployment rate in 2021 was well above the pre-pandemic rate, as a larger number of job seekers entered the labour market.
  • Ontario long-term care homes where the majority of residents have three or four COVID-19 vaccine doses, have been spared large numbers of deaths during the Omicron wave. New data from the province shows 6,572 residents caught the virus between Dec. 15 and Jan. 29 — more than the 6,001 infections confirmed during the first wave that ended in August 2020. But during the recent time period COVID-19-related deaths of 251 people were reported, compared with those of 1,940 people during the first wave. CBC has more.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 82 new cases for a total of 62,037+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic. The death total is 754, up two. There were 812 active cases and there have been 60,471 cases resolved. There are 15 in hospital, two in ICU. There are 21+ outbreaks. So far, in Ottawa, 2,322,756 doses of vaccine have been administered. There are 958,846 with one dose of vaccine; 848,284 residents who have received a second dose and 515,626 have had three shots. Wastewater testing shows a continued decline in the presence of COVID-19. 
  • The Bytowne Cinema says it will keep the vaccine passport in place for a month after the province lifts it on March 1. In contrast, Landmark Cinemas says it will ditch the proof of vaccination checks once the requirement is gone.
  • The Canadian Museum of Nature says it too will continue to check for proof of vaccination for those looking to enter after March 1.
  • Quebec is reporting 915,762+ confirmed cases, up 1,861. So far, 13,903 people have died. There are 1,672 people in hospital including 102 in intensive care. The province completed 23,648 PCR tests on Feb. 21. So far, 18,657,227 doses of vaccine have been administered.
  • In the Outaouais, there are 34,981+ cases in total. There have been 286 deaths. There are 668 active cases and 34,027 recoveries. There are 28 in hospital, four in intensive care. There have been 836,812 vaccine doses administered in the region.
  • In Canada, there were 3,255,058+ cases with 36,161 deaths. There were 123,187+ active cases and there have been 3,095,710 cases resolved.
  • Worldwide there have been 428,212,050+ cases, 5,909,673+ deaths and 10,421,802,427+ vaccine doses have been administered.

Follow the path of the pandemic from Dec. 7 to Feb. 22.

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