• Ontario has reported it has now seen 278,207 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,489 infections today. The death toll rose by 22 to 6,505. There are 926 people in hospital, down 95, with 335 in intensive care, up 10, 233 on a ventilator, up five. There are 517 new cases in Toronto, 261 in Peel and 121 in York Region. There are 1,937 more resolved cases for a total of 256,903 recoveries.
  • The province has now identified 174 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant.
  • Ontario has administered 379,184 doses of vaccine; 101,744 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 51,658 tests the previous day. There have been 10,026,022 tests conducted so far. There are 16,539 tests under review.
  • There are 208 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 521 residents with an infection and 684 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,719 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • A Toronto resident, who recently travelled from Brazil, has tested positive for the COVID variant that is spreading in the South American nation and is now in hospital, Toronto Public Health says.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce Ontario’s plan to slowly reopen the province. The state of emergency is expiring Tuesday, but the stay at home order will remain in effect while regions gradually transition back to the government’s colour-coded restrictions system over the next three weeks. CP24 has more.
  • So far today Canada has seen 804,260+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,767+ deaths from the infection and 738,766+ recoveries. There are 44,727+ active cases.
  • Some restrictions are lifting today in Alberta (gyms and restaurants for in-person dining); Quebec (non-essential businesses and museums can open, curfew remains) and in Nova Scotia (retail businesses, fitness facilities and performing arts venues, sporting events).
  • Globally, there have now been 106,227,670+ confirmed cases with 2,318,696+ deaths and 59,250,298+ recoveries.

Feb. 7

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 73 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,670 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 424, up two. Twenty-three people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 470 active cases and there have been 12,776 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 21 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 278,207 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,489 infections today. The death toll rose by 22 to 6,505. There are 926 people in hospital, down 95, with 335 in intensive care, up 10, 233 on a ventilator, up five. There are 517 new cases in Toronto, 261 in Peel and 121 in York Region. There are 1,937 more resolved cases for a total of 256,903 recoveries.
  • The province has now identified 174 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant.
  • Ontario has administered 379,184 doses of vaccine; 101,744 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 51,658 tests the previous day. There have been 10,026,022 tests conducted so far. There are 16,539 tests under review.
  • There are 208 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 521 residents with an infection and 684 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,719 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott is warning against large gatherings to watch today’s Super Bowl. Such gatherings have become super spreader events in the past.
  • Quebec has now recorded 270,058 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,081 new cases today. So far 248,112 have recovered. The death toll is now 10,031 with 32 more deaths reported. The number in hospital is 963, down 19, with 158 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 35,652 tests on Feb. 5 for a total of 6,088,912. Quebec has injected 256,550 doses of vaccine so far.
  • The Outaouais reported 18 cases of infection for a total of 5,942, along with a total of 156 deaths. Some 5,669 cases have been resolved. There are 117 active cases.
  • Quebec health officials say they have found eight cases of the UK variant so far in the province.
  • So far today Canada has seen 803,627+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,756+ deaths from the infection and 736,581+ recoveries. There are 45,711+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 105,909,656+ confirmed cases with 2,312,506+ deaths and 58,999,348+ recoveries.

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 graphics

Feb. 6

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 58 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,597 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Twenty-six people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 450 active cases and there have been 12,725 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 17 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Researchers at the CHEO Research Institute in Ottawa say they have become the first in the country to develop a test that detects a variant of the COVID-19 virus in wastewater — recently detecting it in a sample from Barrie, Ont.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 276,718 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,388 infections today. The death toll rose by 45 to 6,483. There are 1,021 people in hospital, down 22, with 325 in intensive care, 228 on a ventilator, up three. There are 455 new cases in Toronto, 288 in Peel and 131 in York Region. There are 1,796 more resolved cases for a total of 254,966 recoveries.
  • The province has now identified 164 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant.
  • Ontario has administered 372,666 doses of vaccine; 96,573 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 62,341 tests the previous day. There have been 9,974,364 tests conducted so far. There are 31,924 tests under review.
  • There are 208 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 523 residents with an infection and 707 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,719 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 268,977 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,204 new cases today. So far 246,695 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,999 with 26 more deaths reported. The number in hospital is 982, down 58, with 159 in intensive care, down nine. The province completed 33,710 tests on Feb. 4 for a total of 6,052,891. Quebec has injected 253,904 doses of vaccine so far.
  • The Outaouais reported 17 cases of infection for a total of 5,924, along with a total of 156 deaths, up two. Some 5,659 cases have been resolved. There are 109 active cases.
  • Quebec health officials say they have found eight cases of the UK variant so far in the province.
  • New Brunswick reports two more deaths and 12 new cases on Saturday.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador has found three more new cases of infection.
  • Manitoba has reported 82 new cases and four more deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reported four more deaths and 264 new cases of COVID-19.
  • So far today Canada has seen 799,144+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,654+ deaths from the infection and 732,526+ recoveries. There are 46,417+ active cases.
  • Some recipients of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine report having “COVID arm,” where a raised red lesion or rash occurs after inoculation, but experts say the reaction is harmless. CTV has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 105,638,474+ confirmed cases with 2,304,405+ deaths and 58,763,826+ recoveries.

Feb. 5

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 39 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,539 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Twenty-eight people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 438 active cases and there have been 12,606 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 22 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • A new study from The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute shows a 50 per cent drop in visits to emergency rooms by sexual assault and domestic violence victims during the first two months of the pandemic.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 275,330 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,670 infections today. The death toll rose by 45 to 6,438. There are 1,043 people in hospital, down 58, with 325 in intensive care, up two, 225 on a ventilator, down 16. There are 667 new cases in Toronto, 317 in Peel, 125 in York Region and 100 in Halton. There are 2,233 more resolved cases for a total of 253,170 recoveries.
  • The province has now identified 155 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant.
  • Ontario has administered 362,749 doses of vaccine; 87,831 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 62,710 tests the previous day. There have been 9,912,023 tests conducted so far. There are 41,561 tests under review. The province is seeing a test positivity rate of 2.5 per cent — the lowest since October. 
  • There are 208 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 591 residents with an infection and 730 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,697 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 267,773 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,101 new cases today. So far 245,339 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,973 with 33 more deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,040, down 30, with 168 in intensive care, down seven. The province completed 31,482 tests on Feb. 3 for a total of 6,018,739. Quebec has injected 248,673 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported seven cases of infection for a total of 5,882, along with a total of 154 deaths, up one. Some 5,612 cases have been resolved. There are 116 active cases.
  • Quebec health officials say they have found eight cases of the UK variant so far in the province.
  • The Quebec government will ramp up its use of private clinics in the coming months to reduce the 140,000-strong waiting list for surgeries. CBC has more.
  • New Brunswick reports seven new cases of COVID-19.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador has found one more new case of infection.
  • Manitoba has reported 110 new cases and one more death.
  • Saskatchewan reported three more deaths and 269 new cases of COVID-19.
  • There are 396 new cases in Alberta and nine more deaths were reported. As of Friday, there were 71 cases of the B.1.1.7. variant, which was first discovered in the U.K., and seven of the N501Y.V2 variant, which was first discovered in South Africa. Fifty-five of the variant cases are travel-related and 23 have not been currently linked to travel, according to Alberta Health.
  • Dr. Bonnie Henry announced positive trends with case counts, hospitalizations and deaths in British Columbia, but she said the current provincewide restrictions will remain in place for now. B.C. reported 471 new cases of infection today along with six more deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 797,479+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,611+ deaths from the infection and 727,979+ recoveries. There are 47,714+ active cases.
  • The prime minister reiterated today that Canada will receive six million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by the end of March. And, he said, all Canadians who want to be vaccinated, will be jabbed by September.
  • Bill Blair, minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, said Canada is considering introducing stricter measures at Canada’s land border with the U.S., requiring all non-essential travellers to have taken a COVID-19 test 72 hours before seeking entry. Blair said commercial truckers would be exempt from this rule.
  • Employment fell by 213,000 in January. Losses were entirely in part-time work. The decline in January followed a 53,000 drop in December. Statistics Canada reports the unemployment rate rose 0.6 percentage points to 9.4 per cent, the highest rate since August 2020. The number of long-term unemployed (people who have been looking for work or who have been on temporary layoff for 27 weeks or more) remained at a record high (512,000). The employment decline was concentrated in Central Canada, with losses in Ontario and Quebec totalling 251,000. Employment also fell in Newfoundland and Labrador. Employment rose in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and held steady in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.
  • Globally, there have now been 105,243,379+ confirmed cases with 2,294,180+ deaths and 58,510,055+ recoveries.

Feb. 4

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 39 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,485 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Twenty-nine people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 457 active cases and there have been 12,606 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 22 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa health-care providers are seeing a surge in missed appointments and delayed medical care, and are warning people that the health risks caused by the wait may be much higher than contracting COVID-19 at their facilities. “Fewer people are going to their medical appointments or seeking medical help,” said Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s medical officer of health during an Ottawa Public Health update this week. CBC has more.
  • The Ottawa Mission and Cornerstone Housing for Women have reopened their doors after being closed because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Two other shelters — The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre and Shepherds of Good Hope — remain shut to new clients.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 273,660 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,563 infections today. The death toll rose by 88 to 6,393. There are 1,101 people in hospital, up 35, with 323 in intensive care, down 13, 241 on a ventilator, down 13. There are 584 new cases in Toronto, 265 in Peel and 132 in York Region. There are 1,956 more resolved cases for a total of 250,937 recoveries.
  • The province has now identified 152 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant.
  • Ontario has administered 355,055 doses of vaccine; 80,977 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 64,467 tests the previous day. There have been 9,849,313 tests conducted so far. There are 47,282 tests under review.
  • There are 206 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 701 residents with an infection and 758 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,683 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario is considering cancelling March break in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he’s waiting on the opinion of the province’s chief medical officer of health before making a final call about the week off school.
  • Quebec has now recorded 266,672 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,093 new cases today. So far 243,769 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,941 with 42 more deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,070, down 36, with 175 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 31,095 tests on Feb. 2 for a total of 5,985,249. Quebec has injected 243,955 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported seven cases of infection for a total of 5,882, along with a total of 154 deaths, up one. Some 5,612 cases have been resolved. There are 116 active cases.
  • The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau will welcome back visitors on Feb. 10, but the Canadian Children’s Museum will stay closed for now. On Tuesday, Quebec announced museums and bookstores, as well as non-essential businesses and hair salons, can reopen on Feb. 8.
  • New Brunswick reports 16 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 24 recoveries, dropping the total number of active infections in the province to 256.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador has found one new case of infection.
  • Nova Scotia finds one more new case for an active case count of 10.
  • Manitoba has reported 110 new cases and two more deaths.
  • Sixty-eight cases of COVID-19 variants have now been confirmed in Alberta, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Thursday. The 11 new cases are from the strain first identified from the United Kingdom. Seven have no known link related to travel. Alberta reported 582 new cases Thursday. There are 6,588 active cases in the province. Thirteen more deaths were reported.
  • Saskatchewan reported seven more deaths and 250 new cases of COVID-19, including one case of the UK variant.
  • British Columbia reported 465 new cases of infection today along with six more deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 792,684+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,494+ deaths from the infection and 724,492+ recoveries. There are 48,221+ active cases.
  • Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander leading vaccine logistics at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), said Canada doesn’t know how many Moderna doses will arrive in the weeks ahead adding that the company hasn’t said why it has reduced shipments to our country. Fortin said 180,000 Moderna doses arrived this morning but the government has no “visibility” on how many more shots will be delivered this month and next. Fortin said Canada is still expecting two million Moderna doses to be delivered by the end of March.According to a planning document disseminated to the provinces this week, PHAC has already warned provinces to expect disruptions with the next scheduled Moderna delivery, which is set to arrive on Feb. 22.
  • Vaccine makers Canada signed contracts with last summer were asked if they could make the doses in Canada and all of them concluded they could not, Procurement Minister Anita Anand told the House of Commons industry committee Thursday. She also said that her department “proactively and repeatedly approached leading vaccine manufacturers” about the matter.
  • A ban on cruise ships with more than 100 people coming to Canada will remain in place until February 2022.
  • Globally, there have now been 104,792,591+ confirmed cases with 2,280,666+ deaths and 58,216,840+ recoveries.

Feb. 3

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 61 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,446 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Twenty-nine people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 483 active cases and there have been 12,541 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 24 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Public Health (OPH) researchers examined the period between September and November 2020, during which an estimated 124,211 students returned to class in-person at Ottawa’s four public school boards. They found a limited level of COVID transmission.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 272,097 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,172 infections today. The death toll rose by 67 to 6,305. There are 1,066 people in hospital, down 126, with 336 in intensive care, down five, 254 on a ventilator, up one. There are 444 new cases in Toronto, 199 in Peel and 110 in York Region. There are 1,745 more resolved cases for a total of 248,981 recoveries.
  • The province has now identified 106 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant.
  • Ontario has administered 348,331 doses of vaccine; 74,994 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 52,418 tests the previous day. There have been 9,784,846 tests conducted so far. There are 44,606 tests under review.
  • There are 224 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 763 residents with an infection and 801 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,647 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • The province is allowing in-class schooling in the remaining hot zones on Feb. 8 for Windsor-Essex and Hamilton and on Feb. 16 in Toronto, Peel and York Regions.
  • Cottage homes across the province are in hot demand as many look for a reason to remain optimistic for a less restrictive summer. CBC has more.
  • Quebec has now recorded 265,579 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,053 new cases today. So far 242,692 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,899 with 37 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,106, down four, with 178 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 20,579 tests on Feb. 1 for a total of 5,924,827. Quebec has injected 240,830 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 10 cases of infection for a total of 5,875, along with a total of 153 deaths. Some 5,583 cases have been resolved. There are 129 active cases.
  • New Brunswick reports 14 new confirmed cases today.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador have found two new cases of infection, both travel-related, and Nova Scotia one.
  • Manitoba has reported 126 new cases and three more deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reported two more deaths and 194 new cases of COVID-19.
  • Alberta reported 259 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday. Eleven more people died.
  • British Columbia health officials announced 414 new test-positive COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, along with 16 more deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 789,652+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,349 deaths from the infection and 719,542+ recoveries. There are 49,562+ active cases.
  • Researchers from Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ont. are sounding the alarm on COVID-19 testing techniques across the country, saying most instructions for conducting nasal swabs are incorrect. “They just don’t go deep enough into the nasal cavity,” said Dr. Leigh Sowerby with Western and Lawson in a release.
  • Canada could get at least 1.9 million additional doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the second quarter of 2021 through a global vaccine sharing initiative known as COVAX. The vaccine has not yet been approved for use in Canada. Reports indicate that 1.1 doses could arrive by the end on March.
  • Canada learned Wednesday the production problems that cut this week’s deliveries from Moderna by 20 per cent are now going to affect the next shipment as well. Moderna was to deliver almost 250,000 doses to Canada the third week of February. It hasn’t said yet what the impact will be. A spokeswoman for Moderna told The Canadian Press the company remains “on track” to meet its contract to supply two million doses of its vaccine by the end of March. 
  • Globally, there have now been 103,992,501+ confirmed cases with 2,255,867+ deaths and 57,783,284+ recoveries.
  • Data from four clinical trials by researchers from the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca, and partners showed a single dose of their vaccine to be 76 per cent effective from 22 to 90 days following vaccination, while a two-dose regimen proved more effective the longer the interval between doses. The vaccine also showed potential for reducing transmission of the virus.

Feb. 2

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a deal with drug manufacturer Novavax to produce doses of its new as yet unapproved COVID-19 vaccine at a new National Research Council biomanufacturing facility in Montreal. Last summer, Trudeau announced more than $125 million to upgrade the National Research Council (NRC) facility to produce vaccines domestically. The NRC facility is expected to be ready to produce COVID-19 shots starting in July with a production capacity of about 4,000 litres per month, which is equivalent to two million doses of a vaccine.
  • Precision NanoSystems Inc., which is a global leader in technologies and solutions for development of genetic medicines, announced today an injection of $25.1 million from the Canadian Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The funds will help establish a biomanufacturing centre in Vancouver dedicated to the production of ribonucleic acid (RNA) lipid nanoparticle vaccines and genetic medicines. Precision’s facility could produce 240 million doses a year by 2023.
  • The federal government will also invest up to $14 million in Edesa Biotech Inc. (Edesa), a biopharmaceutical company based in Markham, ON, to advance work on a monoclonal antibody therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is the leading cause of COVID-19 deaths.
  • The federal government expects to receive 330,000 doses of vaccine in the next two weeks.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 270,925 total cases of COVID-19, adding 745 infections today. The death toll rose by 14 to 6,238. There are 1,192 people in hospital, up 34, with 341 in intensive care, down 13, 253 on a ventilator, down seven. There are 334 new cases in Peel, 124 in York Region and 65 in Niagara. There are 2,297 more resolved cases for a total of 247,236 recoveries. The province is reporting technical difficulties connected to a transfer of data from Toronto to the province. This has affected the numbers for today.
  • The province has now identified 109 cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant. (In Canada, 135 cases of the UK variant have been found, 13 of the South African.)
  • Canada’s Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada is in “a very delicate period” as case counts for fast-spreading COVID-19 variants tick upward across the country, even while overall numbers of new coronavirus cases fall. At least 148 cases of the variants that first emerged in the United Kingdom (known scientifically as B.1.1.7) and South Africa (known as B.1.351) have been confirmed across the country.
  • Ontario has administered 344,615 doses of vaccine; 72,057 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 28,552 tests the previous day. There have been 9,732,428 tests conducted so far. There are 32,348 tests under review.
  • There are 224 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 855 residents with an infection and 838 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,618 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 27 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,385 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Thirty-three people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 516 active cases and there have been 12,447 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 26 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Public Health is reflecting on some of the lessons it’s learned from the COVID-19 pandemic so far and says there needs to be some changes going forward, including fair wages for long-term care staff and paid sick leave for all workers. The recommendations are outlined in two reports that Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches will submit to Ottawa’s Board of Health Monday. CBC has more.
  • African, Caribbean and Black communities in Ottawa and Toronto say health-care providers need to better understand their needs and create programs catered to them during the pandemic, according to the preliminary findings of a study published Monday and jointly sponsored by the CO-CREATH lab at the University of Ottawa and the HiFi lab at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. 
  • Quebec has now recorded 264,526 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,053 new cases today. So far 241,537 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,862 with 36 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,110, down 34, with 178 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 20,579 tests on Jan. 31 for a total of 5,924,827. Quebec has injected 240,830 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 19 cases of infection for a total of 5,865, along with a total of 153 deaths. Some 5,563 cases have been resolved. There are 130 active cases.
  • Premier Francois Legault has announced stores, hair salons and museums will be allowed to reopen on Feb. 8. Some universities and CEGEPs, depending on the situation, will also be allowed to increase on-campus activities and some outdoor activities will also be permitted.
  • “The situation has improved in recent weeks,” the premier said. “The number of cases and hospitalizations has decreased. I want to thank you all for that. But we have to remain very careful. We can only lift certain measures very gradually.”
  • The province’s curfew will remain in place and visits to private homes will continue to be prohibited.
  • Meanwhile, Quebec spring break will go ahead as planned, the province’s education minister confirmed on Tuesday. 
  • There are two new cases of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories.
  • New Brunswick is confirming three cases of the COVID-19 U.K. variant in the province. All are travel related, two international and one national travel. The province is also reporting 25 new confirmed cases today.
  • Nova Scotia reported one new case on Tuesday.
  • Manitoba reports 83 cases of infection today and no new deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reports eight more deaths and 223 new cases. The province also said two cases of the virus variant first identified in the U.K. have been found in Saskatchewan.
  • Staff and students potentially exposed to a variant case of COVID-19 in a Calgary classroom have been placed in quarantine after a child was determined to be infectious. According to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, the infected student is the child of a returning traveller. Four cases of variant infection have now been reported in connection with the incident. Fifty cases of the UK variant have been detected in the province, along with seven cases of the South Africa variant. Alberta has seen 268 new confirmed cases and 14 more deaths.
  • British Columbia reported 429 new cases Tuesday and fewer than 300 people in hospital with the novel coronavirus. There were eight new COVID-19 related deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 786,148+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,202 deaths from the infection and 715,898+ recoveries. There are 51,745+ active cases. The Public health Agency of Canada says that cases in Canada are down 12 per cent and fatalities by 20 per cent.
  • Canadian groundhogs, or their handlers, were virtually predicting an early spring today, CTV reports.
  • Globally, there have now been 103,684,249+ confirmed cases with 2,246,844+ deaths and 57,548,416+ recoveries.
  • The highly transmissible and possibly deadlier variant detected in southern England at the end of 2020 is showing signs of further mutation, UK scientists warned on Tuesday. Tests conducted on samples of the Kent variant, named after the region in England where it was first detected, show a mutation, called E484K, already detected in the South Africa and Brazil variants.
  • Capt. Sir Tom Moore, who became famous at age 100 by raising 60 million British pounds for the UK’s National Health Service, by walking a marathon in his garden has died from COVID-19 in hospital.
  • The U.K. is beginning door-to-door testing in parts of England to uncover the presence of the new variants of the COVID-19 virus.
  • The U.S. government on Monday promised undocumented migrants the same access to COVID-19 vaccines as other civilians, and said inoculation centres would be immigration enforcement-free zones. The U.S. has now seen 443,993+ deaths from COVID-19 and 26,330,506+ infections.

Feb. 1

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 22 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,359 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Thirty-two people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 599 active cases and there have been 12,337 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 28 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • In the wake of multiple cases of COVID-19 at local shelters, the Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre, Shepherds of Good Hope, Cornerstone Housing for Women and The Ottawa Mission have all shut their doors temporarily to prevent further spread.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 270,180 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,969 infections today. The death toll rose by 36 to 6,224. There are 1,158 people in hospital, down one, with 354 in intensive care, down two, 260 on a ventilator, up eight. There are 886 new cases in Toronto, 330 in Peel and 128 in York Region. There are 2,132 more resolved cases for a total of 244,939 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 341,900 doses of vaccine; 70,293 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 30,359 tests the previous day. There have been 9,703,876 tests conducted so far. There are 11,651 tests under review.
  • There are 230 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 931 residents with an infection and 914 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,614 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • The province has found the first case of infection by the South African variant of COVID-19, also known as B 1.351, in a man from Mississauga who has not travelled nor been in contact with someone who has travelled. This indicates there may have been community spread. So far no other cases have been detected.
  • The province is also investigating two cases the UK variant known as B117 at Belmont Meats in the North York region of Toronto. There are 78 cases stemming from this outbreak. Toronto public health has evidence of secondary transmission of the variant in a household.
  • The UK variant has also been found in the Simcoe-Muskoka health region, where Roberta Place, a long term care home, has experienced at least 10 cases of variant infection. Overall the province has seen at least 51 cases of UK variant infection.
  • A statement of claim filed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice alleges Roberta Place failed to take basic precautionary measures to protect against the novel coronavirus 10 months after the pandemic took hold in Canada. The suit, which has yet to be certified as a class action, is seeking $50 million in damages.
  • It’s back to in-class school in Ottawa today. On the buses, children from Grade One to Grade 12 will have to wear masks while on board. More than 500,000 students in 19 of Ontario’s 34 public health units have been given a green light to return to classrooms. That includes those in the Middlesex-London, Ottawa, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario health units.
  • Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the province is expanding targeted asymptomatic testing at schools in the regions that opened today. Lecce says he will announce on Wednesday the dates on which the remaining schools will reopen in the province.
  • Provincial officials say Ontario has capacity to complete up to 25,000 laboratory processed and 25,000 on-site, rapid antigen tests a week but offered no timeline on how long it could take to get to that level. The testing will be voluntary and an option for both students and staff.
  • The province says it is making a temporary change to its teacher certification program. The change will allow about 2,000 student teachers to fill supply roles. The teacher candidates must be enrolled in a current program and have successfully completed a portion of it. They must also be scheduled to complete their program by Dec. 31, 2021.
  • The province continues to examine whether March break will happen this year.
  • Quebec has now recorded 263,473 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 890 new cases today. So far 240,083 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,826 with 32 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,144, up eight, with 183 in intensive care, down eight. The province completed 27,279 tests on Jan. 30 for a total of 5,891,423. Quebec has injected 239,023 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported nine cases of infection for a total of 5,846, along with a total of 153 deaths. Some 5,540 cases have been resolved. There are 144 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force until Feb. 8 when the restrictions will be reassessed.
  • New Brunswick reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, leaving the number of active cases in the province at 273.
  • Nova Scotia has reported one new case today. There are 10 active cases.
  • Prince Edward Island has reported two cases, both travel-related.
  • Manitoba is reporting three more deaths and 89 new cases today.
  • Saskatchewan reported 147 new cases on Monday. There were two more deaths reported.
  • Alberta reported 355 new COVID-19 cases Monday, along with 10 more deaths. 
  • British Columbia recorded 1,158 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend; 408 cases were recorded on Saturday, 473 on Sunday and 277 on Monday. There were 21 more deaths. So far, 14 cases of the variant first identified in the U.K. have been confirmed here along with four of the variant first seen in South Africa.
  • So far today Canada has seen 783,589+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,136+ deaths from the infection and 711,708+ recoveries. There are 53,281+ active cases.
  • Some of Canada’s top airlines, banks and sports teams have united to pilot rapid tests identifying COVID-19 in hopes that they can find a way to reopen workplaces. The pilot is being run by the University of Toronto’s Creative Destruction Lab, which has partnered with 12 companies including Air Canada and Rogers Communications Inc. to experiment with antigen tests that take about 15 minutes to deliver results.
  • Globally, there have now been 103,043,330+ confirmed cases with 2,229,697+ deaths and 57,144,918+ recoveries.

Jan. 31

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 46 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,336 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Thirty-one people are in hospital; five in intensive care. There are 648 active cases and there have been 12,266 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 28 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 268,211 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,848 infections today. The death toll rose by 43 to 6,188. There are 1,159 people in hospital, down 114, with 356 in intensive care, up three, 252 on a ventilator, up 36. There are 726 new cases in Toronto, 306 in Peel and 168 in York Region. There are 2,313 more resolved cases for a total of 242,807 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 339,644 doses of vaccine; 68,849 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 49,352 tests the previous day. There have been 9,673,517 tests conducted so far. There are 15,616 tests under review.
  • There are 230 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 900 residents with an infection and 898 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,595 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 262,583 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,223 new cases today. So far 238,648 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,794 with 31 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,136, down 27, with 191 in intensive care, down 10. The province completed 35,372 tests on Jan. 29 for a total of 5,864,144. Quebec has injected 238,227 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 15 cases of infection for a total of 5,837, along with a total of 153 deaths. Some 5,540 cases have been resolved. There are 144 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force until Feb. 8 when the restrictions will be reassessed.
  • New Brunswick reported 26 cases on Sunday bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 283.
  • Manitoba reported 119 new cases and four more deaths.
  • Four more Saskatchewan residents have died after testing positive for COVID-19, the province reported on Sunday. The province reported 238 new cases. Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, cars were lined up and decorated with signs, balloons, and even masks to show support to Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer. The rally was organized after a group of people took their protest of Dr. Saqib Shahab to his family home.
  • Alberta added an additional 461 cases and reported eight new deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 778,963+ confirmed cases. There have been 20,032+ deaths from the infection and 703,233+ recoveries. There are 54,186+ active cases in Canada.
  • Almost 17 per cent of the population in Canada’s northern territories have received at least the first dose of the two-dose vaccines, compared to the national figure of two per cent, according to government data. All three territories said they are on track to have at least 75 per cent of their adult populations vaccinated by April, compared to the September target the federal government has set for the rest of the country.
  • Transport Minister Omar Alghabra tells CBC air travellers should be prepared for COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Canada and hotel quarantine requirements to come into effect as soon as Thursday.
  • Globally, there have now been 102,741,314+ confirmed cases with 2,223,750+ deaths and 56,918,309+ recoveries.

Jan. 30

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 74 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,290 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Thirty-two people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 674 active cases and there have been 12,194 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Gardeners are rushing to stock up before growing season to avoid last spring’s seed shortages, when demand outstripped supply in the first wave of the pandemic. CBC has more. 
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 266,363 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,063 infections today. The death toll rose by 73 to 6,145. There are 1,273 people in hospital, down 18, with 353 in intensive care, down seven, 216 on a ventilator, down 55. There are 713 new cases in Toronto, 379 in Peel and 178 in York Region. There are 2,623 more resolved cases for a total of 240,494 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 336,828 doses of vaccine; 67,787 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 59,594 tests the previous day. There have been 9,624,165 tests conducted so far. There are 31,463 tests under review.
  • There are 229 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 911 residents with an infection and 883 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,574 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 261,360 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,367 new cases today. So far 237,088 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,763 with 46 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,163, down 54, with 201 in intensive care, down eight. The province completed 32,179 tests on Jan. 28 for a total of 5,828,772. Quebec has injected 238,143 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 13 cases of infection for a total of 5,822, along with a total of 153 deaths, up one. Some 5,519 cases have been resolved. There are 150 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force until Feb. 8 when the restrictions will be reassessed.
  • So far today Canada has seen 774,223+ confirmed cases. There have been 19,920+ deaths from the infection and 698,302+ recoveries. There are 55,313+ active cases in Canada.
  • Novavax Inc. has applied to Health Canada for approval. The company said this past Thursday that its vaccine appears 89 per cent effective based on early findings from a British study and that it also seems to work — though not as well — against new mutated strains of the virus circulating in that country and South Africa.
  • Animal hospitals across Canada have their hands full with the sudden surge of new pandemic pets, a situation compounded by shortage of qualified veterinarians. CBC has more.   
  • Globally, there have now been 101,575,252+ confirmed cases with 2,211,868+ deaths and 56,572,237+ recoveries.
  • The European Union has imposed export controls on COVID-19 vaccines manufactured there. The prime minister has said he has been assured this will not effect delivery of doses to Canada. However the BBC says the controls will affect some 100 countries worldwide — including the U.K., the U.S., Canada and Australia. Many others, including poorer nations, are exempt. The EU insists its controls are a temporary scheme, not an export ban.
  • The World Health Organization is condemning the decision as an example of what it calls vaccine nationalism.

Jan. 29

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that effective Jan. 30 and lasting through to April 30, Canada’s airlines — Air Canada, Sunwing, Air Transat and WestJet — have suspended flights to sun destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. There will be mandatory PCR testing of international arrivals at the only four airports accepting those flights: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Travellers will have to pay $2,000+ to quarantine for at least three days at a supervised hotel waiting for a COVID-19 test result. If they have a negative test, they can quarantine at home for the remaining 11 days. Non-essential travellers arriving at the land border must have proof of a negative test.
  • Trudeau also said his government will deliver another $1 billion to provinces for use in schools to keep them safe from COVID-19. The money is intended for such things as hand sanitizer, ventilation and new technology.
  • Moderna is cutting the delivery of its vaccine to Canada by 22 per cent next week. Canada will get 170,000 doses in the shipment next week.
  • A new Angus Reid poll says that just 36 per cent of Canadians surveyed now feel the federal government has done a good job in securing sufficient doses for the population, down 11 points from December, while the number saying poor job has nearly doubled.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 264,300 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,837 infections today. The death toll rose by 58 to 6,072. There are 1,291 people in hospital, down 47, with 360 in intensive care, up two, 271 on a ventilator, down five. There are 595 new cases in Toronto, 295 in Peel, and 170 in York Region. There are 2,900 more resolved cases for a total of 237,871 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 327,455 doses of vaccine; 61,679 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 69,040 tests the previous day. There have been 9,564,571 tests conducted so far. There are 40,453 tests under review.
  • There are 229 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 956 residents with an infection and 899 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,550 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford says all international travellers arriving at the Toronto Pearson International Airport will be required to take a COVID-19 test. The move is part of the province’s action plan to stop the spread of new COVID-19 variants throughout Ontario. Ford said he welcomed a federal announcement of testing at Pearson, but he said the province is going forward with mandatory testing at Pearson because he does not expect federal measures to be in place until a few weeks from now. The new mandatory testing measure will go into effect at noon on Feb. 1. Ontario’s action plan to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants includes enhanced screening and sequencing to identify new variants, maintaining public health measures, strengthening case and contact management, enhancing protections for vulnerable populations and leveraging the latest data to make informed public health decisions. Fifty-one cases of the UK variant have been detected, most in Barrie, where there is a major outbreak at the long term care home.
  • Hundreds of stores in Toronto, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo will be visited by Ontario’s COVID-19 enforcement officers this weekend.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 63 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,216 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 422. Thirty-four people are in hospital; five in intensive care. There are 685 active cases and there have been 12,109 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Since September, CHEO reports its doctors have seen more than twice as many infants (children under one year) with maltreatment concerns, specifically fractures and head trauma.
  • The Ottawa Mission has temporarily stopped taking in new clients because of a COVID-19 outbreak. As of Thursday, 60 residents and eight staff had tested positive for COVID-19 at the Ottawa Mission on Waller Street.
  • Quebec has now recorded 259,993 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,295 new cases today. So far 235,516 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,717 with 50 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,217, down 47, with 209 in intensive care, down three. The province completed 38,410 tests on Jan. 27 for a total of 5,796,593. Quebec has injected 236,057 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 17 cases of infection for a total of 5,809, along with a total of 152 deaths. Some 5,477 cases have been resolved. There are 163 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force until Feb. 8 when the restrictions will be reassessed.
  • Nova Scotia is reporting one new case of COVID-19.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador reporting four new COVID-19 cases.
  • New Brunswick medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell is warning of a probable and even worse third wave of COVID-19 sparked by new variants. The province is reporting 16 new cases today, along with one new death.
  • Manitoba is reporting three new deaths today and 157 new cases of infection. Starting today, people arriving in the province must go into a 14-day quarantine. This is to prevent any of the new coronavirus variants from landing in the province. So far no cases of variant infection have been found in Manitoba.
  • Seven COVID-19-related deaths and 328 new cases were reported in Saskatchewan Friday.
  • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the province will begin loosening up its health measures on Feb. 8 as part of a new “path forward for easing COVID-19 health restrictions, with clear benchmarks for hospitalizations.” The province saw 14 new deaths Friday and 543 new cases.  
  • British Columbia health officials announced 514 new test-positive COVID-19 cases on Friday, along with five more deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 770,793+ confirmed cases. There have been 19,801+ deaths from the infection and 695,679+ recoveries. There are 57,020+ active cases in Canada.
  • Canadian real gross domestic product grew 0.7 per cent in November, following a 0.4 per cent increase in October, Statistics Canada says. This was the seventh monthly gain. Still the economy is about three per cent below pre-pandemic levels.
  • Globally, there have now been 101,575,252+ confirmed cases with 2,193,717+ deaths and 56,173,762+ recoveries.
  • The European Union‘s drug regulator has authorized for use a coronavirus vaccine made by AstraZeneca on Friday for adults 18 and over.
  • A single-shot coronavirus vaccine from Johnson & Johnson was 66 per cent effective overall and 85 per cent effective in preventing a severe illness in a massive global trial, findings released Friday show. But its performance was stronger in the United States and weaker in South Africa, where a worrisome coronavirus variant now dominates.

Jan. 28

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 81 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,153 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 420. Thirty-nine people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 703 active cases and there have been 12,030 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • School boards in the regions governed by Ottawa Public Health and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit will be permitted to resume in-person learning on Feb. 1, the province says. Before- and after-school child-care programs will also resume, while emergency child care will end on Friday. The province is now requiring students in grades 1-3 to wear masks in the classroom.
  • OPH welcomed the announcement but the medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, said “opening schools does not mean we are in the clear or that we are ready to ease up on other public health measures and provincial restrictions in place. Now more than ever, we need to continue to reduce transmission in the community. This includes ensuring children do not come into contact with other children outside of the school setting, even for organized activities such as sports, clubs or socializing. Gatherings before and after school, with close contact between students without masks, are a key blind spot to address. 
  • An Ottawa nurse has tested positive for COVID-19 about two weeks after getting vaccinated, and experts say there are a number of possibilities why that might be. The positive test comes after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Jan. 8 and testing negative on Jan. 13. Experts note that infection is possible as the vaccine is seen to be 95 per cent effective in blocking the virus from taking hold. CBC has more.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 262,463 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,093 infections today. The death toll rose by 56 to 6,014. There are 1,338 people in hospital, down 44, with 358 in intensive care, down 19, 276 on a ventilator, down 15. There are 700 new cases in Toronto, 331 in Peel, 228 in York Region and 123 in Niagara. There are 2,725 more resolved cases for a total of 232,480 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 317,240 doses of vaccine.
  • Ontario has been over reporting the number of people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the province, the Ministry of Health said Thursday. The province reported yesterday that 96,549 people had received both doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine so far. In reality, only 48,239 had. That is up to 55,286 this morning. 
  • The province completed 64,664 tests the previous day. There have been 9,495,531 tests conducted so far. There are 48,386 tests under review.
  • There are 229 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,041 residents with an infection and 938 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,518 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • New modelling presented by the province suggests that the U.K. variant known as B117 is now circulating and will likely become the dominant form of the virus in the province by spring. Dr. Adalsteinn Brown, of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, says that despite being 30 per cent more contagious and likely more lethal, the variant outbreak can be managed by following current strict public health protocols around masking, distancing and hand-washing along with expanded testing. He also said that schools should be able to open safely. More variants are expected to occur as the pandemic continues.
  • The average daily case count is expected to drop to between 2,000 and 1,000 by the end of February, as long as the variant doesn’t take hold and spur another surge. Test positivity is now at 3.3 per cent, under four per cent for the first time since early December.
  • While infections in long term care are falling, the deaths in LTC homes and more generally are still expected to surpass the first wave of the pandemic.
  • ICU capacity also continues to be strained in most regions with only one or two beds free at about half of all hospitals in the province.
  • Essential work is still “strongly associated” with the risk of infection. Communities with the highest proportion of essential workers continue to have the highest case numbers.
  • Nearly three quarters of Ontario’s registered practical nurses have reached a breaking point during the pandemic, with one in three reporting they are considering leaving the profession. A report, titled “Wellness, workload and wages — How RPNs are personally coping amid the pandemic“ was conducted online by the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WePRN) in December. WePRN spoke with 765 registered practical nurses for the report and included personal accounts.
  • The first person who tested positive for a more infectious strain of COVID-19 in the Kingston, Ont., area caught it in a different community, officials said, warning that further examples of such spread will be seen if residents aren’t careful. The individual is believed to have been infected in the Simcoe-Muskoka area where a long term care home in Barrie, a community that is the epicentre of an outbreak of the variant. Ontario has so far confirmed 51 cases of U.K. variant infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 258,698 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,368 new cases today. So far 233,768 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,667 with 37 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,264, down 26, with 212 in intensive care, down nine. The province completed 36,733 tests on Jan. 26 for a total of 5,758,183. Quebec has injected 232,986 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 18 cases of infection for a total of 5,792, along with a total of 152 deaths, up one. Some 5,463 cases have been resolved. There are 160 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force until Feb. 8 when the restrictions will be reassessed.
  • Nova Scotia has 11 active cases of COVID-19 after reporting no new cases on Thursday.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, three of them connected to a case reported Wednesday whose source is still unknown. There are nine active cases.
  • New Brunswick reports 27 new cases as the active cases drop to 313.
  • Prince Edward Island reported one new case of COVID-19.
  • Provincial health officials announced 133 new cases of COVID-19 and eight more deaths in Manitoba Thursday.
  •  There were 244 new cases and 11 new deaths reported in Saskatchewan.
  • Alberta reported 461 new cases and seven deaths.
  • British Columbia health officials announced another 546 cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths from the disease on Thursday.
  • So far today Canada has seen 766,102+ confirmed cases. There have been 19,664+ deaths from the infection and 688,033+ recoveries. There are 57,740+ active cases in Canada.
  • Data provided to provinces by federal officials showed that Canada’s goal of four million vaccines by March had been reduced to 3.5 million, Global News reports. To date, Canada has received about 1,122,450 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, according to a vaccine tracker by the University of Saskatchewan. A tally by the Public Health Agency of Canada shows the total number of vaccines delivered as 1,119,225. Pfizer has indicated to Canada that vaccine deliveries would also be impacted through February. The next two weeks will be lower than initially planned, Fortin said, with 79,000 doses next week and approximately 70,000 the second week of February. About 230,000 doses of te Moderna is expected in February.
  • Home improvement and construction chain, Lowe’s Canada, plans to campaign to hire more than 7,000 people for full and part-time positions across Canada.
  • Globally, there have now been 101,142,479+ confirmed cases with 2,181,853+ deaths and 55,914,882+ recoveries.

Jan. 27

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 72 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,072 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 420. Thirty-six people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 713 active cases and there have been 11,939 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • Most people in Ottawa will continue to be required to wear masks in public spaces until at least April 29, after city council unanimously approved extending the temporary mandatory mask bylaw at its meeting Wednesday.
  • A stretch of the Rideau Canal Skateway from Pretoria Bridge to the Bank Street Bridge will open Thursday. The NCC is urging people not to drive to use the Canal. There will be no food or change huts.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 260,370 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,670 infections today. The death toll rose by 49 to 5,958. There are 1,382 people in hospital, down 84, with 377 in intensive care, down six, 291 on a ventilator, down seven. There are 450 new cases in Toronto, 342 in Peel, 171 in York Region and 128 in Niagara. There are 2,725 more resolved cases for a total of 232,480 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 305,330 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 55,191 tests the previous day. There have been 9,430,867 tests conducted so far. There are 46,900 tests under review.
  • There are 238 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,039 residents with an infection and 974 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,487 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 257,330 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,328 new cases today. So far 232,221 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,630 with 53 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,290, down 34, with 221 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 28,061 tests on Jan. 25 for a total of 5,721,450. Quebec has injected 229,219 doses of vaccine.
  • The Outaouais reported 13 cases of infection for a total of 5,774, along with a total of 151 deaths. Some 5,432 cases have been resolved. There are 179 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force until Feb. 8 when the restrictions will be reassessed.
  • The Quebec government will change its curfew rule so it does not apply to homeless people. In a tweet Wednesday morning, Lionel Carmant, the province’s junior health minister, said the government will not fight a Superior Court ruling that found the curfew has a discriminatory and disproportionate effect on people experiencing homelessness.
  • New Brunswick reported 14 new cases on Wednesday as it announced two more residents have died in connection to the virus.
  • Nova Scotia health officials are reporting four new cases on Wednesday. There are 12 active cases in the province.
  • Manitoba announced 95 new cases on Wednesday, along with four new deaths.
  • There were 149 new cases reported in Saskatchewan today along with six deaths. 
  • Alberta reported 459 COVID-19 new infections in the last 24 hours and counted another 12 deaths.
  • British Columbia health officials announced 485 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, along with four new deaths.
  • So far today Canada has seen 761,238+ confirmed cases. There have been 19,533+ deaths from the infection and 683,963+ recoveries. There are 59,551+ active cases in Canada.
  • A Canada Post employee infected with COVID-19 during an outbreak that has impacted 224 workers at a Mississauga facility died over the weekend.
  • Air Transat is suspending all flights from Toronto from January 28 through April 30, 2021.
  • Pfizer and BioNTech will cut back on how many vials of COVID-19 vaccine they send Canada this year if the federal health regulator agrees to change the vaccine label to say every vial contains six doses instead of five.
  • The president of the European Commission tells Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that exports of vaccines to Canada will not be impeded.
  • Globally, there have now been 100,381,254+ confirmed cases with 2,160,562+ deaths and 55,532,629+ recoveries.

Jan. 26

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 23 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 13,000 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 420, up one. Thirty-three people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 754 active cases and there have been 11,826 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • The City of Ottawa’s vaccination program will be rolled out in three phases. Phase one focuses on long-term care residents, personal caregivers and staff of care homes, all of which have been visited at least once already. More than 92 per cent of long-term care home residents have been vaccinated once, and some will receive their second dose later this week. Retirement home residents, some health-care workers, adults in Indigenous communities and adults receiving chronic care are included. The second phase beginning in March will focus on inoculating seniors older than 80, essential workers and others in high-risk situations. Phase three will start in August and see a general inoculation campaign. Depending on supply up to 10,800 people a day will get their jab.
  • Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr, Vera Etches, is calling on the province to allow schools in the city to reopen as soon as possible. “The level of community transmission in Ottawa is similar to, or lower now, than it was at our peak in October when schools were open and we managed that level of COVID in the schools,” Dr. Vera Etches said Tuesday during a technical briefing on the city’s vaccination plan.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 258,700 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,740 infections today. The death toll rose by 63 to 5,909. There are 1,466 people in hospital, up 68, with 383 in intensive care, down 14, 298 on a ventilator, up 15. There are 677 new cases in Toronto, 320 in Peel and 144 in York Region. There are 2,261 more resolved cases for a total of 229,755 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 295,817 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 30,717 tests the previous day. There have been 9,375,676 tests conducted so far. There are 36,405 tests under review.
  • There are 246 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,164 residents with an infection and 1,095 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,462 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is so concerned about the threat posed by the more transmissible variants of COVID-19 that he wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to halt all non-essential travel by foreigners into Canada. Ontario has confirmed at least 34 cases of the variant that was first identified in the U.K., some among people who have not travelled outside of the province. Ontario will now analyze every COVID-19-positive sample from one day last week to learn just how prevalent the variant is.
  • Quebec has now recorded 256,002 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,166 new cases today. So far 230,803 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,577 with 57 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,324, up three, with 217 in intensive care. The province completed 19,281 tests on Jan. 24 for a total of 5,693,389. Quebec has conducted 224,879 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported nine cases of infection for a total of 5,761, along with a total of 149 deaths. Some 5,355 cases have been resolved. There are 224 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force for the foreseeable future.
  • Nova Scotia is reporting one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, with the total number of active cases in the province dropping to 11.
  • New Brunswick Public Health reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the lowest total since Jan. 3 when there were seven cases.
  • Five more deaths and 94 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Manitoba on Tuesday. This is the first time the daily caseload has been below 100 since Jan. 12, when there were 92 new cases. Meanwhile Premier Brian Pallister announced said anyone entering Manitoba from other parts of Canada will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
  • On Tuesday, Saskatchewan reported 14 more deaths and 232 new cases.
  • Providence Therapeutics, a Canadian biotechnology company with offices in Calgary and Toronto, announced Tuesday it has begun Phase I trials of its COVID-19 vaccine. Providence is also working with another Calgary company, Northern RNA, which aims to develop vaccine manufacturing capacity in Calgary. There were 366 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Alberta, for a total of 8,652 active cases — the lowest total seen since Nov. 12. Fourteen deaths were also reported.
  • British Columbia has recorded another 407 new cases Tuesday along with 14 more deaths.
  • Today Canada has seen 755,860+ confirmed cases. There have been 19,348+ deaths from the infection and 673,587+ recoveries. There are 62,477+ active cases in Canada.
  • An analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says six of 10 provinces haven’t spent all the money the federal government has sent their way, including for personal protective equipment. Alberta has left the most on the table at almost $336 million.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked about a European Union warning that export controls could be placed on vaccines produced in Europe such as from the Belgian plant where the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine intended for Canada is made.
  • Trudeau reiterated that Canada is expecting four million doses from Pfizer and another two million doses from Moderna by the end of the first quarter — enough to vaccinate some two million Canadians with these two-dose products.
  • Trudeau said the CEO of Pfizer, Dr. Albert Bourla, has assured him personally that the pharmaceutical company will resume sending vaccine shots to Canada next month. But that promise, made in a phone call last Friday, came before the EU floated the idea of export controls on shipments to countries beyond the bloc.
  • Globally, there have now been 100,164,399+ confirmed cases with 2,153,477+ deaths and 55,295,674+ recoveries.

Jan. 25

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,977 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 419. Thirty-four people are in hospital; eight in intensive care. There are 869 active cases and there have been 11,689 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 34 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • A COVID-19 ‘long-hauler’ from Clarence-Rockland is suing her company’s health insurance provider after having had her disability claim rejected. CBC has more.
  • People of all ages were out cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and walking at Mooney’s Bay in the middle of a frigid Saturday afternoon, the Ottawa Citizen reports, while a few kids braved the swings and slides. But no one was tobogganing following the city’s abrupt ban on sledding.
  • Provincial inspectors visited 114 businesses in Ottawa on the weekend including retail stores, gas stations and restaurants offering takeout. The inspections were to ensure the businesses were following public health guidelines. The inspectors issued 27 tickets and 18 health and safety orders. The most common infractions were failing to respect store capacity, failing to properly screen customers and lacking a safety plan, according to the Ministry of Labour. Ottawa bylaw officers also handed out 10 fines and two warnings. All 10 tickets were for failing to wear a mask or failing to post required signage at public entrances, the city said.
  • The Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) health unit has detected a case of the more easily transmitted B117 COVID-19 variant. The health unit is asking anyone in the wider region who has travelled, or who has been in contact with someone from outside the area, to get a COVID-19 test.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 256,960 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,958 infections today. The death toll rose by 43 to 5,846. There are 1,398 people in hospital, down 38, with 397 in intensive care, up five, 283 on a ventilator, down 18. There are 727 new cases in Toronto, 365 in Peel and 157 in York Region. There are 2,448 more resolved cases for a total of 227,494 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 280,573 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 35,968 tests the previous day. There have been 9,344,959 tests conducted so far. There are 14,991 tests under review.
  • There are 256 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,266 residents with an infection and 1,200 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,427 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Members of Ontario’s vaccine distribution task force said the province will delay first doses for health-care workers and essential caregivers amid a shortage of the Pfizer product. Canada will not receive any doses of Pfizer’s vaccine this week. Available doses will be channelled to residents of long-term care and at-risk retirement homes, as well as First Nations seniors living in elder care settings. The goal is to have all those who fall into one of these groups be given a first dose of vaccine by Feb. 5, 10 days earlier than first planned. The shift means that front-line health-care workers in other settings, such as those doing direct patient care in hospitals, will have to wait longer than originally planned to be immunized.
  • Quebec has now recorded 254,836 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,203 new cases today. So far 228,877 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,521 with 43 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,321, down six, with 217 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 27,448 tests on Jan. 23 for a total of 5,674,108. Quebec has conducted 218,755 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported 23 cases of infection for a total of 5,752, along with a total of 149 deaths. Some 5,355 cases have been resolved. There are 224 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force for the foreseeable future.
  • A team of researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute believe they have found an effective weapon against COVID-19: colchicine, an oral tablet already known and used for other diseases.
  • Nova Scotia reported no new COVID cases today and that there are now just 15 active cases in the province.
  • New Brunswick reported 20 new cases of COVID-19 infection along with one death. There are now 348 active cases in the province. There are six people in hospital, including three in intensive care.
  • Another 113 cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths related to the virus have were identified by Manitoba public health officials on Monday.
  • Saskatchewan reports 240 new cases today, along with one more death.
  • Alberta says it has seen 20 cases of the U.K. COVID-19 variant and five of the South African variant. The province will increase genetic testing to track these variants. The province reported 463 new cases Monday with 24 more deaths.
  • British Columbia announced 1,344 new COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths from the weekend.
  • A Vancouver couple has been ticketed for disobeying isolation requirements and travelling to tiny Beaver Creek, Yukon to jump the COVID-19 vaccine queue posing as hotel workers. Rod Baker, 55, who has resigned from his post as the president of Great Canadian Gaming, and his wife, Ekaterina Baker, 32, were each charged in Whitehorse on Thursday for breaking Yukon’s Civil Emergency Measures Act.
  • One year ago the first Canadian case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Toronto. Patient Zero was a 56 year old man, who had been in Wuhan, China. He was treated at Sunnybrook Hospital and survived. Today Canada has seen 751,380+ confirmed cases. There have been 19,211+ deaths from the infection and 667,069+ recoveries. There are 63,668+ active cases in Canada.
  • Parliament is resuming today with delays in the delivery of the Pfizer vaccine to dominate Question Period. Other issues: The economy and the process to replace disgraced former governor general Julie Payette.
  • Globally, there have now been 99,275,637+ confirmed cases with 2,131,079+ deaths and 54,833,616+ recoveries.
  • Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is effective against new variants of the coronavirus that have emerged in Britain and South Africa, the company announced on Monday. But it appears to be less protective against the variant discovered in South Africa, and so the company is developing a new form of the vaccine that could be used as a booster shot against that virus.
  • The European Union is threatening to block the export of COVID-19 vaccines. Under the plans, all pharmaceutical companies making vaccines in the EU will have to give “early notification” to the bloc if they want to export. This includes the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine made in a factory n Brussels, Belgium, from which Canada gets its supply. The EU is said to be angry after AstraZeneca cut the number of vaccines it is sending to the bloc, but did not slash British supplies.
  • U.S. President Joe Biden will sign an executive order to ensure a Buy America program that will boost the purchase by federal agencies of goods and services made in the U.S. Biden has called for a four year increase in such government purchases totalling $400 billion US. The plan was the subject of discussion in a phone call between Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this past week. Canada says the integrated North American market should give Canada an exemption from the new Buy America rules.

Jan. 24

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 76 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,929 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 419. Thirty-seven people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 939 active cases and there have been 11,571 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 34 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks.
  • The NCC has closed a section of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street. It will be available for “active use” by people from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, with possible interruptions for snow removal.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 255,002 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,417 infections today. The death toll rose by 50 to 5,803. There are 1,436 people in hospital, down 11, with 392 in intensive care, down three, 301 on a ventilator, up two. There are 785 new cases in Toronto, 404 in Peel, 215 in York Region and 121 in Niagara. There are 2,759 more resolved cases for a total of 225,046 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 280,573 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 48,947 tests the previous day. There have been 9,308,991 tests conducted so far. There are 23,995 tests under review.
  • There are 255 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,253 residents with an infection and 1,196 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,400 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario is expanding its blitz of big box store inspections to Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham regions this weekend.
  • Quebec has now recorded 253,633 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,457 new cases today. So far 227,215 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,478 with 41 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,327, down 56, with 219 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 33,719 tests on Jan. 22 for a total of 5,646,660. Quebec has conducted 218,755 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported 23 cases of infection for a total of 5,729, along with a total of 149 deaths. Some 5,315 cases have been resolved. There are 242 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force for the forseeable future.
  • Canada now has seen 746,405+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 19,065+ deaths from the infection and 661,743+ recoveries. There are 64,573+ active cases in Canada.
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau told CBC that the federal government won’t rule out invoking the federal Emergencies Act to limit travel as parts of the country continue to experience high infection rates of COVID-19. He also said the government may implement COVID-19 testing along the Canada-U.S. land border.
  • Globally, there have now been 99,006,885+ confirmed cases with 2,125,373+ deaths and 54,608,134+ recoveries.
  • The United States has passed yet another grim milestone with the reporting of 25,077,155+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 418,494+ deaths.

Jan. 23

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 92 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,853 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 419, up three. Thirty-four people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 988 active cases and there have been 11,446 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 34 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa-based company Spartan Bioscience has received Health Canada approval for its made-in-Canada rapid COVID-19 test, authorizing the sale of the device. 
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 252,585 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,359 infections today. The death toll rose by 52 to 5,753. There are 1,501 people in hospital, down 11, with 395 in intensive care, up 12, 299 on a ventilator, up eight. There are 708 new cases in Toronto, 422 in Peel, 220 in York Region and 107 in Hamilton. There are 3,025 more resolved cases for a total of 222,287 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 276,146 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 63,453 tests the previous day. There have been 9,260,044 tests conducted so far. There are 37,847 tests under review.
  • There are 252 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,298 residents with an infection and 1,142 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,375 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario is expanding its blitz of big box store inspections to Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham regions this weekend.
  • According to the Middlesex-London Health Unit, one of the deaths reported on Saturday is a teenaged male, who worked in a long-term care home.
  • Quebec has now recorded 252,176 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,685 new cases today. So far 225,245 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,437 with 76 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,383, down 43, with 216 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 38,231 tests on Jan. 21 for a total of 5,612,941. Quebec has conducted 210,252 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported 22 cases of infection for a total of 5,707, along with a total of 150 deaths, up one. Some 5,355 cases have been resolved. There are 224 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force for the forseeable future.
  • Canada now has seen 741,451+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,956+ deaths from the infection and 657,732+ recoveries. There are 67,099+ active cases in Canada.
  • Globally, there have now been 98,572,942+ confirmed cases with 2,116,294+ deaths and 54,359,532+ recoveries.
  • American broadcaster Larry King has died after being in hospital with COVID-19. The exact cause of death has not been released. In the U.S. there have now been 416,907+ deaths from coronavirus. Some 24,962,813+ have been infected.

Jan. 22

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 87 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,761 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 416, up one. Thirty-six people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 1,037 active cases and there have been 11,308 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • COVID consequence: Pandemic stay-at-home orders have changed how people are getting around Ottawa, and now the city wants to know whether its approach to keeping roads, sidewalks and cycling paths clear of snow and ice should evolve, too. CBC has more.
  • Valley Stream Retirement Home in Nepean, where 10 people have died from COVID-19, is the first in the city to begin vaccinating residents and staff against the illness, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says. “As part of Phase 1 of the COVID vaccine rollout in Ottawa, Valley Stream Retirement Home was identified as a high-risk retirement home and the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was made available and administered to staff, essential caregivers and residents on Jan. 17,” OPH confirmed Thursday. 
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 250,226 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,662 infections today. The death toll rose by 87 to 5,701. There are 1,512 people in hospital, down 21, with 383 in intensive care, down five, 291 on a ventilator, down two. There are 779 new cases in Toronto, 542 in Peel, 228 in York Region, 128 in Waterloo and 118 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 3,375 more resolved cases for a total of 219,262 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 264,985 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 71,750 tests the previous day. There have been 9,196,591 tests conducted so far. There are 41,819 tests under review.
  • There are 244 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,346 residents with an infection and 1,130 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,350 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • A Whitby, Ont. doctor and her husband, who both contracted the U.K. COVID-19 variant, have been charged after they allegedly mislead contact tracers. Dr. Martina Weir, a physician with privileges at Lakeridge Health, the Fairview Lodge and the Hillsdale Terraces long-term care homes, has been charged with provincial offences under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Her husband Brian Weir, who works for Toronto Paramedic Service in a non-patient facing role, has also been charged. The couple, who were the first identified cases of the U.K. variant in Canada, each face two counts of “failing to provide accurate information on all persons that the defendant may have had contact with during their period of communicability for COVID-19” and one count of obstruction “by providing false information to the Durham Region Associate Medical Officer of Health in relation to contact tracing involving the U.K. variant strain of COVID-19.”
  • Quebec has now recorded 250,491 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,631 new cases today. So far 223,367 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,361 with 88 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,426, down 27, with 212 in intensive care, down four. The province completed 40,738 tests on Jan. 20 for a total of 5,569,016. Quebec has conducted 200,627 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported 15 cases of infection for a total of 5,684, along with a total of 147 deaths. Some 5,265 cases have been resolved. There are 272 active cases.
  • The province says that despite the drop in case numbers restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in force for the forseeable future.
  • New Brunswick reported 30 new cases on Friday, raising the number of active cases in the province to 331. There are five people in hospital, including three in intensive care.
  • Nova Scotia says it has found its first cases of two COVID-19 variants and is reporting four new cases on Friday.
  • There are 173 new COVID-19 cases in Manitoba on Friday and two more people have died from the illness.
  • Eight more people in Saskatchewan have died and another 312 cases have been reported on Friday.
  • Alberta has confirmed 643 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 additional deaths linked to the virus.
  • British Columbia reported 508 new cases Friday, along with nine additional deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 736,256+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,807+ deaths from the infection and 651,484+ recoveries. There are 67,099+ active cases in Canada.
  • Health Canada says vaccine clinics are doing an “extraordinary” job preventing many doses of precious COVID−19 vaccine from going to waste. Canada has received more than 1.1 million doses of COVID−19 vaccines from Pfizer−BioNTech and Moderna since mid−December, and has now given at least one dose to more than 767,000 people. A spokeswoman says “wastage has been very minimal” and well below initial estimates.
  • The inspection of incoming international mail at a Canada Post facility in Mississauga is on hold after the Canadian Border Service Agency pulled its workers from the site amid concerns about a COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 182 workers at Canada Post’s Dixie Road location have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus so far this month.
  • Globally, there have now been 98,047,906+ confirmed cases with 2,093,725+ deaths and 53,844,057+ recoveries.
  • U.S. President Joe Biden directed the Department of Agriculture to increase a food program that helps families with children who would normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school, and to expand emergency increases approved by Congress to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for low-income Americans. Biden also directed federal agencies to conduct a review of federal workers earning less than the proposed minimum and develop recommendations for raising such wages. The pandemic has now killed 413,059+ Americans. So far, there have been 24,775,585+ infections in the U.S.
  • Data from a study of 200,000 elderly Israelis suggests that the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine only lowered infections by 33 per cent—about a third of the roughly 90-per-cent rate that many experts around the world have predicted. This raises concerns for jurisdictions that are waiting longer than the recommended 21-28 days to deliver the second dose.
  • The new COVID-19 variant first detected in the U.K. may be more lethal than previous strains, according to the country’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Jan. 21

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 180 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,674 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 415, up six. Thirty-eight people are in hospital; seven in intensive care. There are 1,056 active cases and there have been 11,203 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • Facing a shortage of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses over the next few weeks, City of Ottawa officials say their priority is to administer the second dose of the vaccine to residents and staff in Ottawa’s long-term care homes. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 247,564 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,632 infections today. The death toll rose by 46 to 5,614. There are 1,533 people in hospital, down 65, with 388 in intensive care, down seven, 293 on a ventilator, down three. There are 897 new cases in Toronto, 412 in Peel, 245 in York Region, 162 in Ottawa and 118 in Waterloo. There are 2,990 more resolved cases for a total of 215,887 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 253,817 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 70,256 tests the previous day. There have been 9,124,841 tests conducted so far. There are 52,871 tests under review.
  • There are 251 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,441 residents with an infection and 1,185 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,307 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • New projections by the province’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table suggest if Ontario were to accelerate its immunization rollout and vaccinate all long-term care home residents by the end of January, as many as 580 lives could be saved.
  • One of the new variants of the novel coronavirus is behind an outbreak at the Roberta Place long-term care home in Barrie. Six residents have been infected with one of the new and highly contagious variants. About 94 per cent of the 130 residents have tested positive. Health officials don’t know yet which variant — the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) or the South Africa variant — is to blame.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • Premier Doug Ford has issued a video message to Ontarians in which he tells people to stay at home in 22 different languages including French, Italian, Mandarin and Punjabi.
  • Quebec has now recorded 248,860 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,624 new cases today. So far 221,327 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,273 with 65 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,453, down 14, with 216 in intensive care. The province completed 28,889 tests on Jan. 17 for a total of 5,501,127. Quebec has conducted 164,053 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported 19 cases of infection for a total of 5,669, along with a total of 147 deaths. Some 5,190 cases have been resolved. There are 313 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • New Brunswick Public Health reported 32 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. There are now 324 active cases in the province.
  • Nova Scotia has reported two new cases of COVID-19. There are 22 active cases of infection in the province.
  • Manitoba announced 198 new cases on Thursday, along with five new deaths. The province is easing some restrictions such as allowing designated people to visit in homes and allowing stores to reopen along with barbershops and hair salons starting on Saturday.
  • Health officials in Saskatchewan said there were 227 new cases Thursday and 12 more deaths.
  • Alberta has seen 678 new cases of COVID-19 and 16 additional deaths.
  • Another 564 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in British Columbia and 15 more people have died. Meanwhile British Columbia will not ban visitors from other provinces, Premier John Horgan said Thursday, because a review of legal options showed it would not be possible right now.
  • Canada now has seen 731,450+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,622+ deaths from the infection and 645,729+ recoveries. There are 68,413+ active cases in Canada.
  • Some 121 employees at a Mississauga Canada Post facility have tested positive for COVID-19 this year. About 4,500 work at the plant. The facility will keep operating. Employees who test positive will self-isolate. Over the past 10 months, just over 1,000 people have tested positive at the 4,100 Canada Post facilities.
  • Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says more contagious variants of the COVID-19 virus may be spreading in Canada. “While the number of cases in Canada with a virus variant of concern has been limited to date, recent cases with no travel history suggest that community transmission may already be occurring in Canada,” Tam said in a statement.
  • Globally, there have now been 97,308,604+ confirmed cases with 2,085,095+ deaths and 53,637,920+ recoveries.
  • By executive order, President Joe Biden is requiring international travellers entering the U.S. will need to quarantine on arrival for 14 days. Travellers will also need a negative COVID-19 test in order to board a plane for the U.S. The order comes as there have been 24,570,340+ Americans infected and 408,877+ deaths.

Jan. 20

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 67 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,494 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 409, up two. Forty-two people are in hospital; eight in intensive care. There are 1,057 active cases and there have been 11,028 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • Dr. Vera Etches says that Ottawa’s recent surge of COVID-19 cases may have reached its peak. Last week, 4.5 per cent of those tested for COVID-19 were positive, but by Wednesday, that figure had dropped to 3.5 per cent. Those who do test positive are reporting fewer close contacts, Etches said. The average number of close contacts per infected person in Ottawa is 1.3.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 244,932 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,655 infections today. The death toll rose by 89 to 5,568. There are 1,598 people in hospital, down 28, with 395 in intensive care, down five, 296 on a ventilator, up four. There are 925 new cases in Toronto, 473 in Peel, 226 in York Region, 179 in Windsor-Essex County and 129 in Niagara. There are 3,714 more resolved cases for a total of 212,897 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 237,918 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 54,307 tests the previous day. There have been 9,054,585 tests conducted so far. There are 48,963 tests under review.
  • There are 251 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,497 residents with an infection and 1,223 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,274 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Elementary and secondary students in Ottawa won’t be returning to the classroom Monday after all, the province announced Wednesday. Four public health units in eastern Ontario have been given the green light to reopen schools Jan. 25: Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District; the Renfrew County and District; and Hastings Prince Edward. Students in Grey Bruce, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District and Peterborough can also return to school on Monday.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • Up to 300 inspectors will be involved in a new COVID-19 enforcement blitz, that will include inspections at farming operations that rely on temporary foreign workers. The first campaign is to be held in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, with 10 others planned so far in Toronto, Durham, Niagara, Halton, Huron Perth, Peterborough and Leeds Grenville Lanark.
  • Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation, has relinquished her position on the provincial task force set up to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine following an overseas trip. “Today, Premier Ford accepted the resignation of Linda Hasenfratz as a member of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Task Force after it was brought to his attention that she travelled outside the country in December,” according to a statement from the premier’s office.
  • Quebec has now recorded 247,236 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,502 new cases today. So far 219,592 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,208 with 66 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,467, down 33, with 216 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 28,889 tests on Jan. 17 for a total of 5,501,127. Quebec has conducted 164,053 vaccinations.
  • The Outaouais reported 21 cases of infection for a total of 5,650, along with a total of 147 deaths. Some 5,159 cases have been resolved. There are 328 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Nova Scotia reports three new cases today with 23 active cases in the province.
  • New Brunswick health officials are reporting 21 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 317.
  • Six more Manitobans have died from COVID-19, according to the latest update released on Wednesday, along with 154 new cases.
  • Saskatchewan reported 234 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday along with four more deaths.
  • Alberta reported 21 more COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday and 669 new cases of the illness. 
  • British Columbia announced another 14 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, as well as 500 new infections.
  • Canada now has seen 726,469+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,456+ deaths from the infection and 634,144+ recoveries. There are 71,055+ active cases in Canada.
  • What flu season? So far, 51 influenza detections have been reported, the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a recent release. The amount is “significantly lower than the past six seasons where an average of 14,811 influenza detections were reported for the season to date.”
  • Globally, there have now been 95,963,947+ confirmed cases with 2,060,232+ deaths and 53,175,110+ recoveries.
  • U.S. President Joe Biden has been inaugurated along with Vice-President Kamala Harris. The new president is expected to make mask-wearing mandatory in U.S. federal buildings along with rejoining the World Health Organization, rejoining the Paris climate accord and the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline expansion. Meanwhile the pandemic rages on with 24,313,076+ Americans infected and 403,482+ of them have died.

Jan. 19

  • The federal government has been informed that there will be no shipments of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the week of Jan. 25. Shipments will resume in February. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the news “a massive concern,” while the head of the provincial vaccine task force says he was hopeful that the delay would not have an impact on the overall delivery of vaccinations.
  • Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin who is leading Canada’s logistical rollout revealed that in reality, while this week’s shipment includes 82 per cent of what was originally planned, next week no new deliveries of doses will be coming to this country. Over the next two weeks Canada is set to receive just over 171,000 vaccine doses instead of the more than 417,000 planned before Pfizer announced its delay.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 56 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,427 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 407, up two. Thirty-nine people are in hospital; eight in intensive care. There are 1,137 active cases and there have been 10,883 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • The National Capital Commission is saying that people should only visit the Rideau Canal Skateway if they live close by. Traveling from the suburbs to downtown Ottawa to skate on the Canal is strongly discouraged.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 242,277 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,913 infections today. The death toll rose by 46 to 5,479. There are 1,626 people in hospital, up 55, with 400 in intensive care, up six, 292 on a ventilator, down 11. There are 550 new cases in Toronto, 346 in Peel and 235 in York Region. A technical issue at Toronto Public Health may mean there is likely an underreporting of cases, Health Minister Christine Elliott says. There are 2,873 more resolved cases for a total of 209,183 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 224,134 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 34,531 tests the previous day. There have been 9,000,278 tests conducted so far. There are 36,750 tests under review.
  • There are 254 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,615 residents with an infection and 1,272 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,232 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • Quebec has now recorded 245,734 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,386 new cases today. So far 217,575 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,142 with 55 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,500, up nine, with 212 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 20,412 tests on Jan. 17 for a total of 5,472,238. 
  • The Outaouais reported 20 cases of infection for a total of 5,629, along with a total of 142 deaths. Some 5,046 cases have been resolved. There are 360 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • New Brunswick has announced that more than half of the province will be in the red alert level of COVID-19 recovery, as it reported 31 new cases on Tuesday. The province now has 316 known active cases.
  • Nova Scotia reported four new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
  • There are 11 more deaths and 111 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba on Tuesday.
  • Six more people have died after testing positive for COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, according to the government. The province also reported 309 new COVID-19 cases and 412 recovered cases, along with 4,165 total active cases.
  • Alberta has confirmed 456 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths associated with the disease on Tuesday.
  • British Columbia reported 465 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, along with 12 more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 719,716+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,267+ deaths from the infection and 628,710+ recoveries. There are 73,919+ active cases in Canada.
  • Globally, there have now been 95,963,947+ confirmed cases with 2,051,049+ deaths and 52,854,855+ recoveries.
  • On the eve of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States, the death count from COVID-19 reached 401,128+. The number of confirmed cases hit 24,210,344+. Biden has outlined a $1.9 trillion package to help Americans struggling to cope with the economic damage and the health impacts of the pandemic.

Jan. 18

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 85 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,371 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 405, up two. Fory people are in hospital; 10 in intensive care. There are 1,232 active cases and there have been 10,734 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 30 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and four in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • The City of Ottawa will collect all fines issued during the pandemic, including ones handed out in parks that may be “legally dubious.” CBC has more.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 240,364 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,578 infections today. The death toll rose by 24 to 5,433. There are 1,571 people in hospital, up one, with 394 in intensive care, down one, 303 on a ventilator, up 10. There are 815 new cases in Toronto, 507 in Peel, 151 in York Region, 151 in Niagara and 121 in Hamilton. There are 2,826 more resolved cases for a total of 206,310 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 209,788 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 40,301 tests the previous day. There have been 8,965,747 tests conducted so far. There are 18,481 tests under review.
  • There are 248 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,615 residents with an infection and 1,313 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,212 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Premier Doug Ford says a new hospital set to open in Vaughan, will be used to relieve a capacity crunch because of rising COVID-19 cases. Some patients from overcrowded Greater Toronto Area hospitals will be transferred to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital when it opens on Feb. 7. The hospital will add 35 new critical care beds and 150 medical beds to the province’s bed capacity. Health Minister Christine Elliott says some Toronto hospitals are already transferring patients to Kingston and Niagara Region to help ease crowding.
  • The province is spending up to $125 million to add more than 500 critical care and high intensity beds to hospitals in the GTA, Windsor and Ottawa. Health Minister Christine Elliott said the province will soon be adding two new field hospitals to help cope with the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • Quebec has now recorded 244,348 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,634 new cases today. So far 215,325 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,087 with 32 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,491, up 31, with 217 in intensive care, up two. The province completed 26,831 tests on Jan. 16 for a total of 5,451,826. 
  • The Outaouais reported 61 cases of infection for a total of 5,609, along with a total of 142 deaths. Some 5,046 cases have been resolved. There are 360 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • New Brunswick is reporting 26 new cases Monday as the province now has more than 300 active cases.
  • For the first time in two months, Nova Scotia did not report a single case today.
  • There are 118 new COVID-19 Cases in Manitoba on Monday along with four deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reported 290 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday along with four additional deaths. 
  • On Monday, Alberta reported 474 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. There are 739 people in hospital with the disease, 120 in intensive care. The province also reported 11 more deaths. 
  • British Columbia health officials have announced 1,330 new test-positive COVID-19 cases since Friday. There were also 31 more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 715,069,+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,120+ deaths from the infection and 618,150+ recoveries. There are 75,281+ active cases in Canada.
  • The year 2020 was filled with surprises, Statistics Canada says. One of them was business solvency. Insolvencies were down by almost one-third year over year during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and were relatively stable in the third quarter.
  • Globally, there have now been 95,135,784+ confirmed cases with 2,032,787+ deaths and 52,424,995+ recoveries.

Jan. 17

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 123 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,286 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 403, up one. Thirty-eight people are in hospital; eight in intensive care. There are 1,274 active cases and there have been 10,609 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 237,786 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,422 infections today. The death toll rose by 69 to 5,409. There are 1,570 people in hospital, down 62, with 395 in intensive care, down two, 293 on a ventilator, up 12. There are 1,035 new cases in Toronto, 585 in Peel, 254 in Windsor-Essex County, 246 in York Region and 186 in Niagara. There are 3,078 more resolved cases for a total of 203,484 recoveries.
  • Ontario has now administered 200,097 doses of vaccine.
  • The province completed 60,183 tests the previous day. There have been 8,925,446 tests conducted so far. There are 30,103 tests under review.
  • There are 246 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,622 residents with an infection and 1,313 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,198 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • COVID consequences: Since the provincial lockdown began on Boxing Day, some 39,000 road tests have been cancelled. The new state of emergency means “all in-vehicle passenger road tests will be cancelled across the province until further notice.”
  • The mayor of Cornwall, Ont., and the grand chief of the nearby Mohawk community are both denouncing unfriendly notes recently left on the windshields of cars with out-of-province licence plates. CBC has more.
  • Safety inspectors found more than 30 businesses violating COVID-19 safety rules during a big-box blitz across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
  • Quebec has now recorded 242,714 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,744 new cases today. So far 213,008 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,055 with 50 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,460, down 14, with 215 in intensive care, down 12. The province completed 37,087 tests on Jan. 15 for a total of 5,424,995. 
  • The Outaouais reported 22 cases of infection for a total of 5,548, along with a total of 142 deaths, up one. Some 5,046 cases have been resolved. There are 360 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • New Brunswick reported 36 new cases of the coronavirus in its largest single-day increase to date.
  • Four new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Nova Scotia.
  • Eight more Manitobans have died from COVID-19, and 189 new cases of the virus have been announced by Manitoba health officials.
  • Saskatchewan has 287 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths because of the virus.
  • Alberta reported 750 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday along with an additional 19 deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 708,538,+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 18,014+ deaths from the infection and 611,162+ recoveries. There are 76,068+ active cases in Canada.
  • More people are opting to live outside of Canada’s largest urban centres, including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Statistics Canada says. The out-migration is contributing to ongoing urban sprawl, the report adds.
  • Globally, there have now been 94,955,779+ confirmed cases with 2,029,032+ deaths and 52,240,858+ recoveries.

Jan. 16

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 136 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,163 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 402. Forty people are in hospital; 10 in intensive care. There are 1,286 active cases and there have been 10,475 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 234,364 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,056 infections today. The death toll rose by 51 in the past 24 hours to 5,340. There are 1,632 people in hospital, down 15, with 397 in intensive care, up 10, 281 on a ventilator, up one. There are 903 new cases in Toronto, 639 in Peel, 283 in York Region, 162 in Durham and 152 in Ottawa. As of 8 p.m. yesterday, 189,090 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. There are 3,212 more resolved cases for a total of 200,406 recoveries.
  • The province completed 73,875 tests the previous day. There have been 8,865,263 tests conducted so far. There are 50,387 tests under review.
  • There are 246 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,632 residents with an infection and 1,302 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,162 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said Saturday long-term care and high-risk retirement home residents – and their essential caregivers – who received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine will receive their second dose in 21 to 27 days. Staff who were vaccinated within the homes will also receive their second dose within this time period. All other people who received the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine will now receive their second dose between 21 and 42 days. People who received the Moderna vaccine will receive their second dose after the scheduled 28 days.
  • COVID-19 patients are being sent to Kingston and Peterborough from the Scarborough Hospital in Toronto for treatment because of a lack of beds. Scarborough patients are also being sent to Oshawa and Ajax.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • Quebec has now recorded 240,970 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,225 new cases. So far 210,364 have recovered. The death toll is now 9,005 with 67 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,474, down 22, with 227 in intensive care, down four. The province completed 33,778 tests on Jan. 14 for a total of  5,387,908. 
  • The Outaouais reported 43 cases of infection for a total of 5,526, along with a total of 141 deaths, up two. Some 4,977 cases have been resolved. There are 410 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 148 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,027 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 402, up four. Thirty-six people are in hospital; 11 in intensive care. There are 1,261 active cases and there have been 10,364 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and four in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa will likely not finish its first phase of COVID-19 immunization until close to April. Residents in the city’s long-term care homes have now received their first dose of the vaccine, and administering the second dose will likely take a couple of weeks, Dr. Vera Etches said Friday. So far, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has received 22,245 vaccine doses, with 18,560 doses being administered — including more than 4,000 in care homes by the health authority’s mobile vaccination teams.
  • Canada now has seen 702,183,+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17,865+ deaths from the infection and 608,084+ recoveries. There are 76,068+ active cases in Canada.
  • Globally, there have now been 94,408,185+ confirmed cases with 2,019,970+ deaths and 51,964,809+ recoveries.

Jan. 15

  • Canada “remains on a rapid growth trajectory,” with roughly 2,000 more people expected to die over the next 10 days as the country approaches the threshold of 20,000 people dead from the COVID-19 virus. As many as 100,000 more people could contract the virus over the next week and a half, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says. The agency expects 10,000 daily cases by Jan. 24 and the new modelling warns the number of daily COVID-19 cases could reach 30,000 if people increase contacts during widespread community transmission. If Canadians maintain the current level of contact, case counts will rise to 13,000 a day from 7,900 now. The forecast shows between 752,400 to 796,630 will be infected and 18,570 to 19,630 people will die. Currently those in the over 80 age group represent about three quarter of all deaths.
  • “Quick, strong and sustained measures are needed to interrupt rapid growth and maintain COVID-19 control. Reducing COVID-19 activity is urgently needed as rollout of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines begins.”
  • Pfizer says it is temporarily reducing deliveries of its vaccine against COVID-19 while it upgrades its production capacity. Federal Procurement Minister Anita Anand said this will result in a two to three week delay in delivery and a temporary reduction in delivered doses to Canada but supply should be back on track by the end of March. The government believes it will see a 50 per cent reduction in shipments for a short period of time.
  • Ontario has reported it has now seen 231,308 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,998 infections today. The death toll rose by 100 in the past 24 hours to 5,289. There are 1,647 people in hospital, down 10, with 387 in intensive care, up two, 280 on a ventilator. There are 800 new cases in Toronto, 618 in Peel, 250 in York Region, 161 in Waterloo and 153 in Niagara. There are 3,380 more resolved cases for a total of 197,194 recoveries.
  • The province completed 76,472 tests the previous day. There have been 8,791,388 tests conducted so far. There are 63,728 tests under review.
  • There are 243 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,650 residents with an infection and 1,336 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,137 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Premier Doug Ford has booted one of his MPPs, Roman Baber, who represents York Centre, for publicly criticizing the current lockdown measures including a stay-at-home order.
  • The province has announced it is expanding its contact tracing workforce as the second wave surge continues.
  • Beginning Saturday, 50 inspectors, as well as local bylaw and police officers, will visit big-box stores in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, York and Durham to focus on ensuring workers and patrons are wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and following every health and safety measure. The inspectors can ticket supervisors, employees and patrons who do not comply with COVID-19 safety requirements, temporarily close a premise and disperse groups of more than five people.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 148 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 12,027 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 402, up four. Thirty-six people are in hospital; 11 in intensive care. There are 1,261 active cases and there have been 10,364 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and four in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • The COVID-19 situation across the Eastern Ontario Health Unit has deteriorated quickly over the past month with Cornwall at the centre of a rapid growth in cases. The Cornwall hospital now has one empty bed despite already expanding its patient capacity. Cornwall has 227 active cases and nearby Akwesasne has another 55. There are 13 institutional outbreaks, including one at the Tsiionkwanonhso:te long-term care home on Cornwall Island that has killed five people.
  • The Eastern Ontario Health Unit reported 66 cases during the past two days after recording 141 cases last weekend. The health unit now has 629 active cases. At the beginning of September, it had two.
  • A 62-year-old man from El Cajon, Calif., is facing a charge under the federal Quarantine Act after he’s alleged to have had a visitor while he was supposed to be isolating in Ottawa. Ottawa police received a complaint from the public Jan. 13. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • The Ottawa Senators opened their 2021 season beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3.
  • Quebec has now recorded 238,745 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,918 new cases. So far 207,934 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,938 with 62 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,496, down 27, with 231 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 39,981 tests on Jan. 13 for a total of  5,354,130. 
  • The Outaouais reported 38 cases of infection for a total of 5,483, along with a total of 139 deaths, up two. Some 4,877 cases have been resolved. There are 429 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Nova Scotia reported two new cases on COVID-19 today. The premier said the province will continue to hold back second doses of COVID-19 vaccines until it is guaranteed there will be no interruption in supply.
  • New Brunswick is reporting 25 new cases on Friday. The number of active cases in the province is 256, the largest number in the province since the pandemic began.
  • Manitoba reported five COVID-19 deaths and 191 new cases Friday. Premier Brian Pallister also announced plans to begin collecting feedback on how the province should go about easing restrictions.
  • Saskatchewan is bracing for a strong surge in the number of cases. Provincial modelling shows potential for between 900 and 1,600 cases a day. The province reported four COVID-19-related deaths and 382 new cases Friday.
  • Alberta’s public health restrictions will ease a little bit on Jan. 18. Outdoor social gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed as long as everyone is wearing masks and keeping at least two metres apart. Indoor gatherings are still not allowed. Personal wellness services, such as barber shops, can reopen by appointment for one-on-one services. Alberta confirmed 776 new cases and 13 additional deaths on Friday.
  • British Columbia now has four confirmed cases of the highly contagious U.K. variant and the province has also found one case of the South African variant.
  • Because of rising concern about rising case counts elsewhere in Canada, B.C. Premier John Horgan says he will seek a legal opinion to see if it’s possible to restrict interprovincial travel to his province. Officials reported 509 new cases and nine deaths on Friday.
  • Canada now has seen 694,078,+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17,803+ deaths from the infection and 600,164+ recoveries. There are 77,956+ active cases in Canada.
  • Because of the intensity of the COVID-19 second wave, there is now planning underway in Quebec and Ontario to prepare for the possibility hospitals may have to make a choice between who gets access to critical care beds when the demand for space exceeds capacity. CBC has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 93,751,490+ confirmed cases with 2,006,510+ deaths and 51,623,270+ recoveries.
  • The U.K. government has banned travel from South America and Portugal to ensure a new variant of COVID-19 found in Brazil doesn’t derail the country’s vaccination program. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the ban, which took effect Friday morning, was extended to Portugal because many people who come to Europe from South America travel through Portugal.

Jan. 14

  • Ontario reported it has now seen 228,310 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,326 infections today. The death toll rose by 62 in the past 24 hours to 5,189. There are 1,657 people in hospital, down 17, with 385 in intensive care, 280 on a ventilator, up four. There are 968 new cases in Toronto, 572 in Peel, 357 in York Region and 268 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 3,593 more resolved cases for a total of 193,814 recoveries.
  • The province completed 71,169 tests the previous day. There have been 8,714,916 tests conducted so far. There are 66,940 tests under review.
  • There are 244 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,603 residents with an infection and 1,297 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,092 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • The Ontario government has listed activities allowed under its stay-at-home order. Residents are required to stay at home except for the following reasons: Work, school and child care; obtaining goods and services that the government deems necessary. Goods include groceries, services include health care and financial services. This section also includes doing curbside pickup; assisting others; health, safety and legal purposes, including exercise; travelling to another residence or moving; travel to an airport, bus or train station for the purpose of travelling outside of Ontario; gathering for a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony allowed under the Stage 1 framework; obtaining goods and services necessary for the health and safety of animals. The government said the order does not apply to homeless people; attending school or dropping off a child at day care is permitted; obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items, obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, veterinary care or government services.
  • People who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek support for mental health or addictions is OK. More here.
  • The Ontario government has temporarily paused the enforcement of residential evictions during the state of emergency and while the stay-at-home-order is in force. The order expires Feb. 11, unless it is extended.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 132 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 11,879 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 398. Thirty-three people are in hospital; 12 in intensive care. There are 1,243 active cases and there have been 10,238 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa’s outdoor skating rinks and toboggan hills remain open, the city says. The city has a 25-person limit on its rinks and hills. Households are to keep two metres apart. No hockey or sports equipment is allowed on the ice. The city will continue to operate some services including day cares. However most municipal facilities are closed to the public. The Service Ontario counter at city hall is open. The provincial courthouse at 100 Constellation Dr. is shut.
  • Quebec has now recorded 236,827 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,132 new cases. So far 204,741 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,878 with 64 deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,523, up seven, with 230 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 36,402 tests on Jan. 12 for a total of  5,314,149. The province says a total of 107,365 vaccines have been administered so far.
  • The Outaouais reported 52 cases of infection for a total of 5,445, along with a total of 137 deaths, up one. Some 4,776 cases have been resolved. There are 444 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dube says the province will now offer a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines up to 90 days after the first dose. The minister said that the goal is widen the distribution of vaccines. He said that currently, case increases appear to have stabilized but hospitalizations are still dangerously high and may require further restrictions.
  • New Brunswick is reporting 23 new cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 246 active cases.
  • Nova Scotia reported six new cases on Thursday and said 32 active cases remain in the province.
  • Manitoba reported 261 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Two additional deaths were also announced.
  • Saskatchewan is reporting 312 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths Thursday. There are 206 people in hospital, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, with 33 in intensive care. There are 3,859 known active cases in the province. The seven-day average of daily new cases is 313.
  • Canada now has seen 687,388,+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17,510+ deaths from the infection and 591,332+ recoveries. There are 79,293+ active cases in Canada.
  • Canada’s 11,500 pharmacies could vaccinate up to three million people a week, Shoppers Drug Mart president has told the CBC. Pharmacists say they are now waiting for instructions from government on how to proceed.
  • Federal health officials said that more than 433,000 Canadians have been vaccinated so far. They added there is a scarcity of supply now but some 20 million doses are expected to arrive in the second quarter of the year. The expectation is one million doses will arrive weekly starting April 1.
  • Several residents at the Maimonides long-term care home in Montreal have tested positive for COVID-19 despite being among the first people in Canada to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The seven “were infected within the first 28 days after their first [vaccine] dose,” the regional health-care authority that oversees the home said in a statement. The extra immunity from the Pfizer vaccine doesn’t fully kick in until about 12 days after the first inoculation.
  • B.C.’s health minister is promising to look into cases of doctors jumping the queue for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The federal government is promising to provide up to $500,000 in extra financial aid over two years to Canada’s only Second World War museum in Europe, the Juno Beach Centre, which has been battered by COVID-19.
  • New survey data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds a majority in Canada would close the border to quell discretionary travel. Two-thirds (65 per cent) say they would prohibit personal travel. One-quarter (26 per cent) would maintain the federal government’s current approach to strongly discourage such travel, but not disallow it.
  • Air Canada is cutting off routes to places such as Yellowknife, NWT, and St. John’s, Newfoundland, as it cuts first-quarter system capacity by an additional 25 per cent. The airline will lay off 1,700 employees in addition to more than 200 employees at its express carriers. 
  • Globally, there have now been 92,747,607+ confirmed cases with 1,985,836+ deaths and 51,184,968+ recoveries.

Jan. 13

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 179 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 11,747 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 398. Thirty-three people are in hospital; 15 in intensive care. There are 1,217 active cases and there have been 10,132 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • The Ottawa Hospital will resume its COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday, after pausing it late last week because of lack of doses. The hospital says staff have received and administered 16,575 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Ottawa to date, which includes inoculations given at the hospital clinic and at long-term care homes by Ottawa Public Health.
  • Ontario reported it has now seen 224,984 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,961 infections today. The province says eight new cases of the U.K. variant have been found, raising the total to 14 known cases. The death toll rose by 74 in the past 24 hours to 5,127. There are 1,674 people in hospital, down 27, with 385 in intensive care, 276 on a ventilator, up 14. There are 738 new cases in Toronto, 536 in Peel, 245 in Windsor-Essex County, 219 in York Region and 171 in Hamilton. There are 3,392 more resolved cases for a total of 190,221 recoveries.
  • The province completed 50,931 tests the previous day. There have been 8,643,747 tests conducted so far. There are 61,259 tests under review.
  • There are 249 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,542 residents with an infection and 1,278 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,063 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario plans to administer coronavirus vaccines in all nursing homes and high-risk retirement homes by Feb. 15. The province says residents, workers and essential caregivers at those facilities will get the first dose of the vaccine by that date. The plan builds on an earlier pledge to give the COVID-19 vaccine to long-term care facilities in hot spots by Jan. 21.
  • Ontario is expected to elaborate sometime today on the rules governing the stay at home order which begins at midnight. CTV tries to clarify. Meanwhile Premier Doug Ford said today that people must only leave their homes for essential reasons. “I know essential means different things to different people … so we need everyone to use their best judgment. If you’re not sure if a trip is absolutely essential, it probably isn’t,” he said.
  • Ontario’s public health units can close workplaces because of COVID outbreaks or for breaking rules, but less than half have used that power since the pandemic began, CBC reports.
  • Under the provisions of a section 22 class order issued by Durham’s medical officer of health Dr. Robert Kyle last year, a couple who both have tested positive for the U.K. variant of COVID-19 are under investigation for failing to disclose information about their recent contacts.
  • Quebec has now recorded 234,695 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,071 new cases. So far 202,166 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,815 with 33 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,516, up 19, with 229 in intensive care, up eight. The province completed 32,350 tests on Jan. 11 for a total of  5,277,747. The province says 7,855 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 107,365.
  • The Outaouais reported 37 cases of infection for a total of 5,393, along with a total of 137 deaths, up one. Some 4,776 cases have been resolved. There are 444 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • New Brunswick reported 19 new COVID-19 cases. There are 230 active cases in the province. One more death in a Saint John care home has also been confirmed.
  • Nova Scotia is reporting eight new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with 30 active cases in the province.
  • Manitoba reported 158 new cases Wednesday along with five more deaths.
  • Saskatchewan is reporting 247 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, bringing the total known active cases in the province to 3,748. Two more people have died. Both were in the 80-plus age category.
  • On Wednesday, Alberta reported 875 new cases and 23 more COVID-19-related deaths. 
  • A total of 519 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in British Columbia on Wednesday along with 12 more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 681,328+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17,383+ deaths from the infection and 584,652+ recoveries. There are 80,793+ active cases in Canada.
  • The NHL season opens tonight showcasing a brand new Canadian division and featuring a classic matchup of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
  • A new report from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization says provinces can accelerate the number of people being vaccinated by delaying the second dose for up to 42 days. The World Health Organization has also said this.
  • Globally, there have now been 92,240,036+ confirmed cases with 1,975,707+ deaths and 50,922,412+ recoveries.

Jan. 12

  • Ontario reported it has now seen 222,023 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,903 infections today. The province says eight new cases of the U.K. variant have been found, raising the total to 14 known cases. The death toll rose by 41 in the past 24 hours to 5,053. There are 1,701 people in hospital, up 138, with 385 in intensive care, down two, 262 on a ventilator, down six. There are 837 new cases in Toronto, 545 in Peel, 249 in York Region and 246 in Niagara. There are 3,353 more resolved cases for a total of 186,829 recoveries.
  • The province completed 44,802 tests the previous day. There have been 8,592,816 tests conducted so far. There are 43,154 tests under review.
  • There are 249 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,533 residents with an infection and 1,244 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,027 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario’s latest COVID-19 modelling projects the province’s intensive care units to be filled beyond capacity by early February with about 1,000 COVID patients. At present there are 400 ICU beds occupied. The modelling also shows a daily death rate possibly reaching about 100 by March. It forecasts mortality in long term care homes will be greater than in the first wave. To underline the point, the modellers reported that 198 LTC residents and two staff have died since Jan. 1. The modelling also projects 6,000 new cases daily by February, possibly as many as 40,000 cases a day. The wild card in these projections could be the new U.K. variant which could drive infections much higher. Mobility, and contacts between people have not decreased with the current restrictions hence …
  • Premier Doug Ford has announced a state of emergency in Ontario including a stay at home order that will come into effect on Jan. 13 and last for 28 days. Outdoor gatherings limited to five people. People can leave their homes to buy groceries, go to pharmacies or a convenience store.
  • Hours will be limited for non-essential stores for customer pickup from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Schools will remain closed to in-class learning in five health regions: Toronto, Peel, York, Hamilton and Windsor-Essex until Feb. 10. Masks will now be mandatory for Grades 1 to 3.
  • Essential construction projects can continue. Employers are encouraged to have employees work from home where possible.
  • The premier said the stay at home order will be enforced.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 63 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 11,568 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 398. Thirty-three people are in hospital; 11 in intensive care. There are 1,157 active cases and there have been 10,013 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are nine other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa bylaw says that almost 500 verbal warnings were issued at parks across the city on the weekend for mask violations, hockey and failure to practice physical distancing. Warnings were handed out to violators of a new order that limits capacity at outdoor amenities to 25 people. 
  • Then there is Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk who tweeted on Tuesday that it’s time to allow fans to attend home games at Canadian Tire Centre (CTC) despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He later backtracked, saying “that time is not now.” The shortened NHL season opens Wednesday night, with all seven Canadian teams in one division and only playing each other, avoiding cross-border travel. Ottawa’s first game is at home on Friday.
  • Quebec has now recorded 232,624 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,934 new cases. So far 199,920 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,782 with 45 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,497, up 61, with 221 in intensive care, up 10. The province completed 24,565 tests on Jan. 10 for a total of 5,245,397. The province says 7,058 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 99,510.
  • The Outaouais reported 44 cases of infection for a total of 5,356, along with a total of 136 deaths. Some 4,749 cases have been resolved. There are 430 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • New Brunswick reported Tuesday the deaths of two long-term care residents in Saint John, along with 17 new COVID-19 cases.
  • Nova Scotia is reporting one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, with 27 active cases in the province.
  • Prince Edward Island is reporting one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday. There are eight active cases in the province.
  • Manitoba reported 92 new cases Tuesday along with eight more deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reported 248 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. This is in addition to five more deaths across the province. The government announced that current public health measures put will remain in effect until Jan. 29. 
  • Alberta set another sorrowful single-day record on Tuesday when the province reported 38 more deaths from COVID-19. The province reported 652 new cases.
  • Canada now has seen 673,387+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17,186+ deaths from the infection and 574,532+ recoveries. There are 82,522 active cases in Canada.
  • The prime minister has shuffled his cabinet this morning to replace Industry minister Navdeep Bains who will not run in the next election. His role will be filled by Francois-Philippe Champagne. Transport Minister Marc Garneau moves into Foreign Affairs. Toronto-area MP Omar Alghabra is expected to take over Transport. Winnipeg MP Jim Carr has been named as the government’s special representative for the Prairies.
  • During his media conference this morning Justin Trudeau appeared to rule out calling a spring election.
  • Canada has purchased another 20 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19. This should accelerate the vaccination process in Canada, with the potential for 20 million vaccinated by May.
  • The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel until Feb. 21.
  • Globally, there have now been 91,383,544+ confirmed cases with 1,956,752+ deaths and 50,537,895+ recoveries.

Jan. 11

  • Ontario reported it has now seen 219,120 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,338 infections today. The death toll rose by 29 in the past 24 hours to 5,012. There are 1,563 people in hospital, up 80, with 387 in intensive care, down one, 268 on a ventilator, up two. There are 931 new cases in Toronto, 531 in Peel, 241 in York Region, 168 in Niagara and 165 in Waterloo. There are 2,756 more resolved cases for a total of 183,476 recoveries.
  • The province completed 46,403 tests the previous day. There have been 8,548,014 tests conducted so far. There are 28,774 tests under review. The test positivity rate is 7.1 per cent.
  • There are 252 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,502 residents with an infection and 1,260 staff. So far in the pandemic, 3,004 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario’s latest COVID-19 modelling will project the province’s intensive care units to be filled beyond capacity by early February, and will also show how a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus risks accelerating the spread of infections, CBC reports. It also projects 6,000 new cases daily. The full modelling will be released Tuesday. So far, the province has vaccinated 122,105 Ontarians against the virus.
  • The provincial cabinet met Monday to discuss what new measures will be imposed on Tuesday to try to stem the surge of COVID-19 cases. Media reports suggest that a curfew is not under consideration.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 127 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 11,505 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 398, up one. Twenty-nine people are in hospital; 10 in intensive care. There are 1,207 active cases and there have been 9,900 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 230,690 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,869 new cases. So far 197,938 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,737 with 51 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,436, up 56, with 211 in intensive care, up eight. The province completed 28,839 tests on Jan. 9 for a total of 5,222,962. The province says 8,400 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 92,452.
  • The Outaouais reported 18 cases of infection for a total of 5,312, along with a total of 133 deaths. Some 4,708 cases have been resolved. There are 453 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • On the first night of Quebec’s provincewide curfew, Gatineau police say they investigated 441 reports, issued 21 tickets for not respecting the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and gave 19 warnings.
  • Elementary students were back in class in Quebec today. Students in Grades 5 and 6 will now have to wear masks. Secondary students will be back in class in two weeks.
  • New Brunswick reported 21 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, pushing the total number of cases to 800.
  • Five cases of COVID-19 were announced in Nova Scotia today. There are now 26 active cases in the province.
  • Manitoba reported 133 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the provincial total to 26,450. Three additional deaths were also announced.
  • Saskatchewan announces 412 new cases of COVID-19, eight more deaths today.
  • Students are returning to in-class instruction today in Alberta. There have been 639 new cases reported and 23 more deaths in the province..
  • British Columbia has recorded 1,475 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past weekend, along with 22 more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 668,181+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17,075+ deaths from the infection and 561,528+ recoveries. There are 84,567 active cases in Canada.
  • Public health officials failed to cite early warnings about the threat of COVID-19 gathered through classified military intelligence as the pandemic crisis emerged a year ago, CBC says.
  • The RCMP is investigating potential criminal negligence in the death of a 51 year old man who worked at the Cargill meat processing plant in Alberta where at least 950 staff — nearly half the workforce — tested positive for COVID-19 by early May in the largest workplace outbreak so far in Canada.
  • The federal government will be tabling legislation to prevent non-essential travellers from accessing a two week sick leave benefit worth up to $1,000 made available to Canadians who have to quarantine after exposure to, or infection by, coronavirus..
  • Globally, there have now been 90,724,811+ confirmed cases with 1,941,143+ deaths and 50,167,081+ recoveries.
  • U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has received the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19 today. Meanwhile the case and death counts continue to rise. So far the U.S. has seen 22,540,969+ cases and 375,373+ deaths from the infection.

Jan. 10

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 182 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 11,378 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 397, up two. Twenty-six people are in hospital; nine in intensive care. There are 1,202 active cases and there have been 9,779 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 30 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, has said that the city is approaching the “Grey Zone” of a total lockdown. 
  • Ontario reported it has now seen 215,782 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,945 infections today. The death toll rose by 61 in the past 24 hours to 4,983. There are 1,483 people in hospital, up 26, with 388 in intensive care, up six, 266 on a ventilator, up 22. There are 1,160 new cases in Toronto, 641 in Peel, 357 in York Region, 223 in Windsor-Essex County and 220 in Waterloo. There are 2,496 more resolved cases for a total of 180,720 recoveries.
  • The province completed 62,308 tests the previous day. There have been 8,501,611 tests conducted so far. There are 39,362 tests under review.
  • There are 245 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,432 residents with an infection and 1,236 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,990 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 228,281 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,588 new cases. So far 195,663 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,686 with 39 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,380, down 12, with 203 in intensive care, down three. The province completed 35,114 tests on Jan. 8 for a total of 5,195,725. The province says 9,264 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 84,387.
  • The Outaouais reported 75 cases of infection for a total of 5,294, along with a total of 133 deaths. Some 4,708 cases have been resolved. There are 453 active cases.
  • The province has entered into a new set of restrictions including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Montreal police said 17 tickets were handed out at a protest in the city which violated the new curfew. No arrests were made.
  • New Brunswick reported 14 new cases on Sunday, bringing the number of total active cases in the province to 184.
  • Manitoba public health officials reported another five deaths due to COVID-19 on Sunday, and 151 new cases of the virus.
  • Meanwhile, Nova Scotia reported no new COVID-19 cases Sunday, for the first time since Nov. 12. There are 28 active cases in the province.
  • Canada now has seen 656,418+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 16,894+ deaths from the infection and 554,884+ recoveries. There are 83,252 active cases in Canada.
  • A Toronto based researcher has created a calculator that predicts when a person can get vaccinated.
  • New modelling suggests a highly-transmissible new variant of the coronavirus first reported in the United Kingdom could — in the worst-case scenario — become the dominant strain in Ontario as soon as late February, well before mass vaccinations are set to begin in April.  CBC reports that the model was created by Troy Day, a member of the Ontario Modelling Consensus Table and a mathematician who focuses on mathematical biology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.
  • First Nations across Canada have begun to receive doses of COVID-19 vaccines as provincial immunization programs get underway and Indigenous leaders encourage people to roll up their sleeves.
  • Globally, there have now been 89,960,893+ confirmed cases with 1,931,083+ deaths and 49,876,504+ recoveries.

Jan. 9

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 234 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 11,194 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 395. Twenty-six people are in hospital; seven in intensive care. There are 1,104 active cases and there have been 9,695 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 28 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks.
  • Ontario reported it has now seen 211,837 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,443 infections today. The death toll rose by 40 in the past 24 hours to 4,922. There are 1,457 people in hospital, up 11, with 382 in intensive care, up 13, 244 on a ventilator, down six. There are 1,070 new cases in Toronto, 548 in Peel, 303 in York Region and 282 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,915 more resolved cases for a total of 178,224 recoveries.
  • The province completed 72,900 tests the previous day. There have been 8,439,303 tests conducted so far. There are 61,228 tests under review.
  • There are 228 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,412 residents with an infection and 1,224 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,969 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 226,233 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 3,127 new cases. So far 192,979 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,647 with 41 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,392, down 11, with 206 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 38,700 tests on Jan. 7 for a total of 5,160,611. The province says 13,101 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 75,123.
  • The Outaouais reported 51 cases of infection for a total of 5,219, along with a total of 133 deaths, up three. Some 4,662 cases have been resolved. There are 424 active cases.
  • The province enters into a new set of restrictions tonight including a nightly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Canada now has seen 651,484+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 16,802+ deaths from the infection and 552,239+ recoveries. There are 81,670 active cases in Canada.
  • Alberta has reported the first case in Canada of a COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa. The case involved a recent traveller, who is now in quarantine, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, announced. Hinshaw said there is no evidence the variant has spread to anyone else.
  • Globally, there have now been 89,396,983+ confirmed cases with 1,921,952+ deaths and 49,650,452+ recoveries.

Jan. 8

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the state of the pandemic is “frightening,” and is vowing that the number of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines being delivered to Canada will “scale up,” in February.
  • This week, more than 124,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered to 68 sites across the country, and over the rest of January Canada will receive more than 208,000 Pfizer doses per week. Referring to the vaccine delivery schedule as it stands amid provincial calls for more doses, Trudeau added that more than 171,000 Moderna doses will be delivered by the end of next week. 
  • Trudeau said today the government is negotiating with manufacturers to move up deliveries. Canada’s vaccination effort has been outpaced so far by those in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Denmark, Israel, Italy and the United Arab Emirates, among others. According to data collated by the University of Oxford-based Our World in Data, Canada has administered more shots per capita than Germany and France and middle-income countries like Argentina and Croatia. The federal government has delivered 548,950 doses of the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna products so far, with thousands more doses expected to arrive each week in the months to follow. Of those doses, 249,531 have been administered, with 0.66 per cent of the population having received at least one shot. The U.S., which has shipped 21.4 million doses nationwide, has vaccinated three times more people per capita than Canada.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 210 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,960 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 395, up one. Twenty-four people are in hospital; seven in intensive care. There are 977 active cases and there have been 9,588 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 29 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are 11 other outbreaks.
  • The Ottawa Hospital will run out of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Saturday, after which the vaccination clinic “is expected to be paused and resume operation toward the end of next week,” the hospital confirmed to CBC.
  • Ontario reported it has now seen 208,394 total cases of COVID-19, adding 4,249 infections today. (The province says that “due to a data upload delay at Toronto Public Health, approximately 450 additional cases have been included in today’s count. These cases were primarily from January 5 and 6.”)
  • The death toll rose by 26 in the past 24 hours to 4,882. There are 1,446 people in hospital, down 26, with 369 in intensive care, up six, 250 on a ventilator, up eight. There are 1,382 new cases in Toronto, 691 in Peel, 427 in York Region, 213 in Niagara and 184 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,738 more resolved cases for a total of 175,309 recoveries.
  • The province completed 71,481 tests the previous day. There have been 8,366,403 tests conducted so far. There are 73,067 tests under review.
  • There are 224 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,350 residents with an infection and 1,269 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,943 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Premier Doug Ford warns the pandemic surge is getting out of control in the province and says he is considering tighter restrictions. “We are in a crisis,” he said. “It is scary.” It has been reported that a curfew could be part of that. He said the province needs to get through the next three months before vaccinations will be able to finally have an impact on the spread of the virus. New modelling numbers are going to be released next week. These are expected to be even worse.
  • Ford said that he would like more vaccines to start arriving in the province. He says the vaccination program is ramping up and hospitals are now running out of vaccine doses.
  • Tendercare Living Centre in Scarborough has reported two more deaths bringing the number of COVID-19 related deaths in the long-term care home to 73. This is the deadliest such outbreak in Ontario. North York General Hospital is now managing the operation of the home.
  • Akwesasne’s Tsiionkwanonhso:te long-term care facility is among a growing number of care homes coping with a COVID-19 outbreak during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Ten residents and 10 staff members tested positive for the virus at the facility in recent weeks. While seven of the cases have since resolved in the last few days, the outbreak still makes up nearly half of active cases in the northern portion of Akwesasne. One resident has died.
  • Ontario will now allow pregnant or breastfeeding women to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Quebec has now recorded 223,106 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,588 new cases. So far 189,987 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,606 with 44 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,403, up 23, with 207 in intensive care, up five. The province completed 43,784 tests on Jan. 6 for a total of 5,121,911. The province says 13,971 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 62,602
  • The Outaouais reported 65 cases of infection for a total of 5,168, along with a total of 130 deaths, up five. Some 4,547 cases have been resolved. There are 426 active cases.
  • Nova Scotia, which reported two new cases Friday, will be tightening the border with New Brunswick, effective Saturday at 8 a.m. Anyone coming into the province from New Brunswick after that time must complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form before arriving and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
  • New Brunswick, meanwhile, reported 18 more cases today.
  • Manitoba reported 222 new cases along with nine new deaths from the infection. The province has extended its lockdown until at least Jan. 22. The province has also given the Winnpeg Jets permission to play home games in the NHL season which begins Jan. 13 with a new seven-team Canadian division including the Ottawa Senators.
  • Saskatchewan reported 336 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bring the overall total to 17,474. Of those, 3,053 cases are considered active. The province also saw seven new deaths from the infection.
  • Alberta reported another 1,183 cases of COVID-19 on Friday, along with another 24 deaths.
  • British Columbia health officials reported 617 new cases on Friday, along with 18 new deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 642,548+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 16,665+ deaths from the infection and 544,311+ recoveries. There are 80,288 active cases in Canada.
  • Health Canada has no reports of unexpected side-effects from patients vaccinated against COVID-19 thus far. “There haven’t been any serious adverse events, or even the mild and moderate adverse events, that have been out of line or different than what we’ve seen in the clinical trials,” Dr. Supriya Sharma said in an interview with The Canadian Press Friday.
  • Canada lost 62,600 jobs in the month of December, Statistics Canada said Friday. Economists were expecting a decline of 37,500. The unemployment rate edged up to 8.6 per cent, from 8.5 per cent in November. Self-employment fell by 62,000 in December, while the number of employees in the public and private sectors was little changed.
  • As more provinces adapted their public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, the agency said, total hours worked declined for the first time since April, falling 0.3% in December.
  • As the number of COVID-19 cases increased in the fall, the share of Canadians working from home trended up, reaching 28.6 per cent in December.
  • COVID consequence: Health Canada says it’s delaying its long-awaited overhaul of drug-pricing regulations by another six months.
  • Media reports in recent days have identified a number of elderly Canadian snowbirds travelling to their secondary residences in Florida to receive vaccinations, often supplying little more than their Canadian driver’s licence for identification. Florida began inoculating elderly residents late last week, and has administered nearly 350,000 doses of various vaccine types.
  • Calgary-based WestJet is moving to reduce its “capacity” by about 1,000 employees through furloughs, temporary layoffs, unpaid leaves and reduced hours. There’s also a hiring freeze. WestJet blamed the federal government’s travel requirement for a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a flight to Canada.
  • Globally, there have now been 88,203,229+ confirmed cases with 1,901,510+ deaths and 49,203,004+ recoveries.
  • The World Health Organization says that the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine can be delivered up to six weeks after the first. Originally it was thought it should be injected 21 to 28 days after the first injection.

Jan. 7

  • Ontario reported it has now seen 204,145 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,519 infections today. The death toll rose by 89 in the past 24 hours to 4,856. There are 1,472 people in hospital, up nine, with 363 in intensive care, up two, 242 on a ventilator, down four. There are 891 new cases in Toronto, 568 in Peel, 457 in York Region, 208 in Windsor-Essex County, 175 in Waterloo and 174 in Durham The province is reporting 164 cases in Ottawa. There are 2,776 more resolved cases for a total of 172,571 recoveries.
  • The province completed 65,772 tests the previous day. There have been 8,294,922 tests conducted so far. There are 66,970 tests under review.
  • There are 218 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,258 residents with an infection and 1,230 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,928 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario is telling hospitals to prepare for transferring dozens and potentially hundreds of patients across and even out of regions, as unprecedented numbers of people sick with COVID-19 fill the province’s beds. In a memo dated Thursday and obtained by CBC News, the president and CEO of Ontario Health, Matthew Anderson, lists “actions that hospitals must take immediately … to provide the necessary care for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.” 
  • Online learning in Southern Ontario has been extended until Jan. 25. Students in the north will be back in school on Monday.
  • The province also said the lockdown in Northern Ontario would continue for two more weeks.
  • The province says the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs will be able to play at home this season. In a statement, Lisa MacLeod, the minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture, said the approval was granted after “close scrutiny of the rigorous health and safety protocols that will be adopted to keep players, staff and our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19.”
  • Meanwhile Ottawa Public Health reported 68 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,750 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 394. Twenty-one people are in hospital; nine in intensive care. There are 860 active cases and there have been 9,496 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 28 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are 10 other outbreaks.
  • An order limiting the number of people using a City of Ottawa recreation facility or a private facility such as an ice rink to 25 will go into force on Friday. Owners/operators are required to post signage and ensure that members of the public comply. Violators face a possible $5,000 fine.
  • Two days before the imposition of an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, Quebec has now recorded 220,518 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,519 new cases. So far 186,996 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,562 with 74 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,380, down 13, with 202 in intensive care. The province completed 34,857 tests on Jan. 5 for a total of 5,078,127. The province says 9,960 doses of vaccine were administered yesterday, for a total of 48,632
  • The Outaouais reported 41 cases of infection for a total of 5,103, along with a total of 130 deaths, up five. Some 4,484 cases have been resolved. There are 453 active cases.
  • Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Dylan Whiteduck has issued an open letter to federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller as well as the Quebec ministers for health and Indigenous affairs, seeking 4,000 vaccine doses as soon as possible for his community, which is located about 120 kilometres north of Ottawa.
  • New Brunswick reported 24 new cases after back-to-back days of record numbers in the province.
  • Nova Scotia reported four new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.
  • Manitoba public health officials say 12 more people have died and the province has recorded 208 new cases of the coronavirus Thursday.
  • Saskatchewan reported three new COVID-19 related deaths on Thursday, in addition to 334 new cases of the virus. 
  • Alberta schools will resume in-person learning on Jan. 11, as the government planned before the holiday season, Premier Jason Kenney says. The province reported 24 more deaths on Thursday and 968 new cases of COVID-19. There are 13,298 active cases across the province, with 871 people being treated in hospitals for the illness, including 139 in ICU beds.
  • British Columbia reported 761 new cases of COVID-19 across the province in the last 24 hours with 8 additional deaths in that span. Saying the province’s case curve is rising, Dr. Bonnie Henry extend a ban on social gatherings to Feb. 5.
  • Canada now has seen 635,134+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 16,579+ deaths from the infection and 538,267+ recoveries. There are 79,203 active cases in Canada.
  • New rules governing international flights arriving in Canada are in force. Travellers are required to have a negative test for COVID-19 before boarding a flight.
  • The prime minister and premiers were to discuss the slow pace of vaccination late this afternoon. Government numbers show Canada received nearly 425,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines as of Dec. 31. Roughly 195,000 Canadians had received shots as of Wednesday, according to an estimate by a group of academics and data analysts — well below one per cent of the population.
  • Chief economists from Canada’s big banks expect the economy to rebound this year, but say failing to control COVID-19 or get vaccines into arms could upend that recovery.
  • Globally, there have now been 87,343,860+ confirmed cases with 1,886,348+ deaths and 48,883,737+ recoveries.
  • Israel is the world’s leader in COVID vaccinations, reaching nearly 15 per cent of the country’s 9.3 million population in about two weeks. Canada ranks ninth on the list (tied with Germany) behind the United States, the United Kingdom, Iceland and the United Arab Emirates.

Jan. 6

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 87 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,682 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 393. Nineteen people are in hospital; nine in intensive care. There are 869 active cases and there have been 9,420 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 29 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are 10 other outbreaks.
  • Dr. Vera Etches told CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning on Wednesday the risk of community spread is higher than ever, and said people should wear masks outside their homes whenever they can.
  • The Ottawa Hospital has opened a new 40-bed temporary unit at its Civic campus, just as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the city. Construction of the unit, which is located in a parking lot adjacent to the emergency department, began in the fall.
  • Ontario reported it has now seen 200,626 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,266 infections today. The death toll rose by 37 in the past 24 hours to 4,767. There are 1,463 people in hospital, up 116, with 361 in intensive care, up nine, 246 on a ventilator, up one. There are 805 new cases in Toronto, 523 in Peel, 349 in York Region, 208 in Windsor-Essex County and 206 in Waterloo. There are 3,005 more resolved cases for a total of 169,795 recoveries.
  • The province completed 51,045 tests the previous day. There have been 8,229,150 tests conducted so far. There are 55,484 tests under review.
  • There are 220 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,080 residents with an infection and 1,162 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,885 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 217,999 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,641 new cases. So far 184,904 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,488 with 47 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,393, up 76, with 202 in intensive care, up eight. The province completed 31,470 tests on Jan. 4 for a total of 5,043,270. The province says 6,221 doses of vaccine were administered for a total of 38,984.
  • The Outaouais reported 45 cases of infection for a total of 5,062, along with a total of 125 deaths, up three. Some 4,418 cases have been resolved. There are 477 active cases.
  • Quebec Premier Francois Legault has announced tough new restrictions in an attempt to slow the surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Among the measures is the imposition of an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. The curfew will begin on Saturday and be in effect until Feb. 8. If found breaking curfew, a fine of up to $6,000 could be imposed. The province’s grocery stores and depanneurs will close at 7:30 p.m. every day to allow shoppers time to get home. Pharmarcies and gas stations will be permitted to remain open during curfew hours. 
  • Measures that had previously been in place, such as the closing of restaurant dining rooms, will also remain in place for the four weeks. 
  • Elementary schools will re-open as planned on Jan. 11. Students in the fifth and sixth grades will be required to wear masks in the classroom. High schools will not resume in person until Jan. 18, though online learning will begin a week earlier. 
  • Houses of worship, which have been allowed to operate with a capacity of 25 people, will be closed for four weeks, with the exception of funerals, where attendance will be capped at 10 people. 
  • New Brunswick reported 31 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday — the largest single-day increase in the province since the start of the pandemic.
  • Nova Scotia reported 12 new COVID-19 cases in total on Wednesday.
  • Manitoba is reporting 176 new cases along with 10 more deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reported nine more people have died in the province, after testing positive for COVID-19. There were 277 new cases reported on Wednesday, leaving 2,893 cases active.
  • Canada now has seen 624,553+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 16,317+ deaths from the infection and 528,873+ recoveries. There are 78,849 active cases in Canada.
  • Flights from the United Kingdom to Canada can resume on Thursday, the same day that new Canadians rules governing testing before boarding an international flight to this country come into effect. Passengers will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken three days before departure.
  • Globally, there have now been 86,948,012+ confirmed cases with 1,877,852+ deaths and 48,689,878+ recoveries.
  • The U.S. Congress attempted to validate the election victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harros today but proceedings, already complicated by Republican manoeuvring, was stopped for hours by angry Donald Trump supporters some of whom invaded the Capitol building itself, in an attempt to overturn the election. Meanwhile in Georgia, two Democrats, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won Senate races and gave control over that body to the party.
  • Meanwhile, the failure of the Trump administration was on view in another place with the COVID-19 deaths of 359,977+ Americans and the infection of 21,225,179+.

Jan. 5

  • Ontario reported it has seen 197,360 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,128 infections today. The death toll rose by 51 in the past 24 hours to 4,730. There are 1,347 people in hospital, up 157, with 352 in intensive care, up 19, 245 on a ventilator, up 51. There are 778 new cases in Toronto, 614 in Peel, 213 in York Region, 172 in Durham, 151 in Middlesex-London and 151 in Hamilton. There are 2,015 more resolved cases for a total of 166,790 recoveries.
  • The province completed 35,152 tests the previous day. There have been 8,178,105 tests conducted so far. There are 39,805 tests under review.
  • There are 216 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,097 residents with an infection and 1,101 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,865 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • The Ontario government says it will begin a program to vaccinate all residents, health care workers and essential caregivers at long-term care homes in Toronto, Peel, York and Windsor-Essex by Jan. 21. The province says its vaccination program is beginning to accelerate. So far more than 50,000 people have been innoculated. Rick Hillier, who heads the provincial vaccination task forces, said the province will use up the first round of vaccines by the weekend.
  • The federal government has delivered 420,450 doses of COVID vaccine, split between the Pfizer and Moderna candidates, but only 117,768 doses have reached the arms of health-care workers, long-term care residents and other priority groups. The rest is still in storage freezers across the country, according to a report Monday from the COVID-19 Canada Open Data group, a joint project between researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Guelph.
  • The prime minister expressed frustration with the pace of vaccination and said he will meet virtually with the premiers to see what can be done to accelerate vaccinations.
  • Ontario has opened a field hospital in Burlington which is accepting patients. The field hospital was built in April as part of the hospital network’s capacity plan. It cost about $2 million and can accommodate 93 patients. 
  • Online learning in parts of the province was disrupted by the crash of Cogeco servers Tuesday morning. The outage affected internet providers from Windsor to Ottawa, also impacted the first full day of class for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, along with boards in the Halton and Niagara region 
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 123 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,595 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 393. Eighteen people are in hospital; seven in intensive care. There are 843 active cases and there have been 9,359 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 29 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are 11 other outbreaks.
  • The City of Ottawa is instituting a 25-person limit at its outdoor rinks and other recreation venues. Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, says crowds at rinks, toboggan hills and ski trails are concerning because it’s impossible to maintain a safe physical distance in such environments. Etches will also order owners and operators of private outdoor recreation venues to enforce the limit.
  • Residents of Ottawa’s Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre will become the first long-term care residents in eastern Ontario to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when injections start today.
  • COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park, the Eva James Memorial Centre on Stonehaven Drive in Kanata, the Orléans Client Service Centre on Centrum Boulevard and the Nepean Sportsplex on Woodroffe Avenue will open by mid-January, the city says. The clinics will be able to vaccinate 1,200 people a day, with a combined capacity of 134,000 per month. As more doses of the approved vaccines become available, the city expects to add three more clinics. Based on per-capita estimates, up to 680,000 Ottawa residents who are eligible for the vaccine could be immunized by early July, depending on availability of the vaccines.
  • Quebec has now recorded 215,358 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,508 new cases. So far 182,602 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,441 with 62 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,317, up 23, with 194 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 20,716 tests on Jan. 3 for a total of 5,011,800. The province says 2,529 doses of vaccine were administered for a total of 32,763.
  • The Outaouais reported 33 cases of infection for a total of 4,984, along with a total of 122 deaths, up three. Some 4,374 cases have been resolved. There are 491 active cases.
  • Quebec Public Health is advising the government to impose a curfew in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, but Premier François Legault has not made a final decision, according to Radio-Canada. The premier is expected to announce tough new restrictions in a media conference Wednesday.
  • New Brunswick is experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 infection. The province has seen more than 50 new cases in the past three days, says Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. The province is reporting 27 new confirmed cases today, the largest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic. There are 80 active cases.
  • Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19, leaving the province with 19 active cases.
  • Manitoba health officials reported seven additional deaths from novel coronavirus and 130 new infections across the province Tuesday. Premier Brian Pallister shuffled his cabinet today moving Cameron Friesen from health to attorney general. Heather Stefanson becomes minister of health and seniors care. The province’s first black minister, Audrey Gordon, takes over a new post as minister for mental health, wellness and recovery.
  • Five more people have died, bringing Saskatchewan’s total to 165. The province reported 153 new cases.
  • Dr. Deena Hinshaw says Alberta’s COVID-19 numbers remain “very high” as she reported 843 new cases from 10,301 tests and 26 more deaths.
  • British Columbia announced 428 new COVID-19 cases and eight additional deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 617,245+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 16,192+ deaths from the infection and 521,410+ recoveries. There are 79,627 active cases in Canada.
  • The prime minister chastised those politicians who chose to travel during the holidays and warned those who engage in non-essential international travel will not be repatriated if they become stuck in another country. The government is imposing a mandatory negative COVID test three days before being allowed to board a flight to Canada from the United Kingdom of South Africa. He added that any vacationer returning to quarantine can not claim the new federal sick benefit.
  • A new Leger/Association for Canadian Studies poll found 48 per cent of those surveyed visited with people outside their households during the holidays, compared to 52 per cent who said they did not.
  • Globally, there have now been 86,201,194+ confirmed cases with 1,863,699+ deaths and 48,365,680+ recoveries.

Jan. 4

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 104 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The province reported earlier there were 131 in the region. The city has now seen 10,472 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 393, up one. Fourteen people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 789 active cases and there have been 9,290 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 29 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are 10 other outbreaks.
  • Ontario reported it has seen 194,232 total cases of COVID-19, adding 3,270 infections today. The death toll rose by 29 in the past 24 hours to 4,679. There are 1,190 people in hospital, with 333 in intensive care, up four, 194 on a ventilator. There are 917 new cases in Toronto, 581 in Peel, 389 in York Region, 246 in Windsor-Essex County and 131 in Ottawa. There are 2,074 more resolved cases for a total of 164,775 recoveries.
  • The province completed 39,121 tests the previous day. There have been 8,142,953 tests conducted so far. There are 19,683 tests under review.
  • Public officials also confirmed three new cases of the U.K. coronavirus variant, all in the Greater Toronto Area. There are now six cases in the province. Cases have also been found in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.
  • There are 219 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,160 residents with an infection and 1,140 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,843 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Students across Ontario and Quebec are returning to virtual school today.
  • The province says it will begin the second round of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine injections today.
  • Quebec has now recorded 212,850 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,546 new cases. So far 181,205 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,379 with 32 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,294, up 69, with 188 in intensive care, up nine. The province completed 21,238 tests on Jan. 2 for a total of 4,991,084. The province says 1,711 doses of vaccine were administered Sunday, for a total of 30,473..
  • The Outaouais reported 65 cases of infection for a total of 4,984, along with a total of 119 deaths. Some 4,353 cases have been resolved. There are 447 active cases.
  • New Brunswick saw a spike in daily cases reporting 17 today. There are 55 active cases in the province.
  • The situation in Manitoba seems to be brightening somewhat with 118 cases reported today. Sadly five more Manitobans have died, public health officials say.
  • Two more Saskatchewan seniors have died after being infected with COVID-19, according to the provincial government. There were also 286 new confirmed cases.
  • Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard has resigned from the cabinet because of non-essential travel during the holidays to Hawaii. Premier Jason Kenney’s chief of staff Jamie Huckabay has also quit because of international travel to the United Kingdom. Five Tory MLAs have also lost their parliamentary responsibilities.
  • British Columbia reported 2,211 new cases of COVID-19 since Dec. 31 and 45 more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 610,112+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,978+ deaths from the infection and 509,055+ recoveries. There are 80,822 active cases in Canada.
  • A Montreal Liberal MP, Sameer Zuberi, has become the latest politician to be outed as having travelled during the holidays. He visited his wife’s sick grandfather in Delaware on Dec. 18 and returned to Canada on Dec. 31. Zuberi, who represents the Quebec riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard, has stepped down from his roles on parliamentary committees, according to a statement.
  • British Columbia and Quebec have approved National Hockey League games to be played in the provinces during the upcoming 2021 season. They join Alberta. Ontario and Manitoba have not approved the games yet.
  • Globally, there have now been 85,229,481+ confirmed cases with 1,845,408+ deaths and 47,941,443+ recoveries.
  • The South African variant of COVID-19 in causing some concern among scientists because it appears to have more extensive alterations to a key part of the virus known as the spike protein — which the virus uses to infect human cells — and “may make the virus less susceptible to the immune response triggered by some (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna) vaccines” which target the spike proteins.

Jan. 3

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 184 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,368 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 392. Twelve people are in hospital; six in intensive care. There are 764 active cases and there have been 9,212 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 25 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and four in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • A 16-year-old dishwasher at Colonel By Retirement Residence might just be the youngest person yet to get a COVID-19 vaccine. CBC has more.
  • Loblaw is reporting three cases of COVID-19 at stores in eastern Ontario since Jan. 1. Two stores are in Ottawa and one is in Hawkesbury. There have been more than 50 cases in groceries reported across Ontario.
  • Ontario reported it has seen 190,962 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,964 infections today. The death toll rose by 25 in the past 24 hours to 4,650. There are 998 people in hospital, with 329 in intensive care, 228 on a ventilator. There are 786 new cases in Toronto, 346 in Peel, 308 in York Region, 197 in Durham and 187 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,175 more resolved cases for a total of 162,701 recoveries.
  • The province completed 49,803 tests the previous day. There have been 8,103,832 tests conducted so far. There are 27,769 tests under review.
  • There are 207 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,140 residents with an infection and 1,130 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,829 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec has now recorded 210,304 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,808 new cases for Dec. 31, 1,986 for Jan. 1 and 2,869 for Jan. 2; 179,456 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,347 with 121 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,225, up 150, with 179 in intensive care, up 13. The province completed 21,711 tests on Jan. 1 for a total of 4,969,846. The province has total of 28,762 injections.
  • The Outaouais reported 58 cases of infection for a total of 4,919, along with a total of 119 deaths, up two. Some 4,353 cases have been resolved. There are 447 active cases.
  • Police in Gatineau said they arrested two people and fined six under the province’s public health act after breaking up a family party on New Year’s Eve. 
  • New Brunswick is reporting seven new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. That means the province has reported a total of 19 new cases since the beginning of the new year.
  • There are 101 new cases in Manitoba, and five more people have died.
  • Saskatchewan recorded 238 new cases. 
  • An estimated 400 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Alberta by the province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. Several politicians in the province are under fire for overseas travel. CBC has more.
  • The federal government is weighing whether to bar people who have travelled overseas from the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit that pays up to $1,000 to Canadians who have to quarantine due to COVID-19. Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough says the government is “actively looking at all options” in the face of questions over whether Canadians who have travelled abroad should be allowed to collect the money.
  • Brampton-West Liberal MP Kamal Khera will step aside from her position as parliamentary secretary after travelling abroad over the holidays to attend a memorial for deceased family members. She was the first MP to contract COVID-19 in March, 2020.
  • Manitoba MP Niki Ashton lost her cabinet critic positions after she travelled to Greece to visit a family member who was seriously ill.
  • Canada now has seen 601,653+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,865+ deaths from the infection and 504,974+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 84,838,747+ confirmed cases with 1,839,622+ deaths and 47,740,931+ recoveries.

Jan. 2

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 133 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,184 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 392. Twelve people are in hospital; three in intensive care. There are 631 active cases and there have been 9,161 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 25 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are seven other outbreaks.
  • Ontario reported it has seen 187,998 total cases of COVID-19, adding a record 3,363 additional infections today. (The province recorded 2,476 cases on Jan. 1). The death toll rose by 44 in the past 24 hours to 4,625. (There were 51 deaths on Jan. 1). There are 1,003 people in hospital, with 322 in intensive care, 220 on a ventilator. There are 713 new cases in Peel, 700 in Toronto, 395 in York Region, 226 in Windsor-Essex County and 171 in Hamilton. There are 2,054 more resolved cases for a total of 160,526 recoveries.
  • The province completed 61,401 tests the previous day. There have been 8,054,029 tests conducted so far. There are 41,709 tests under review.
  • There are 188 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,159 residents with an infection and 1,009 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,814 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Quebec will report numbers fro Jan. 1 and 2 on Jan. 3.
  • Nova Scotia is reporting 13 new cases of COVID-19 for Jan. 1 and 2, including five cases connected to a school.
  • Alberta recorded an estimated 900 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, provided a brief preliminary COVID-19 update on Twitter Saturday where she announced an estimated 900 new cases after 12,700 laboratory tests were conducted. The province’s positivity rate sits at seven per cent, while hospitalizations and intensive care cases are stable, Hinshaw said.
  • Canada now has seen 588,536+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,701+ deaths from the infection and 493,333+ recoveries. There are 73,420+ active cases.
  • Anyone arriving in Canada starting Jan. 7 will need to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a flight, the federal government says.
  • Globally, there have now been 83,957,701+ confirmed cases with 1,827,121+ deaths and 47,271,835+ recoveries.

Jan. 1

  • Happy New Year.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 122 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 10,051 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 392. Eleven people are in hospital; four in intensive care. There are 550 active cases and there have been 9,109 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 22 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario did not release case numbers today, but the province did vaccinate 4,017 people today for a total of 32,904.
  • As hospitalizations because of COVID-19 continue to rise, an expert opinion says that hospitals in Montreal could become overrun by mid-January. The Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) wrote this week that Montreal and neighbouring regions are seeing increased cases five times greater than in other areas of Quebec. CTV has more.
  • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has not reprimanded Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard after she took a vacation to Hawaii despite public-health recommendations against unnecessary travel, but instead he issued a new “clear directive” to government officials not to travel internationally. “[Officials] should be here at home, plain and simple,” Kenney said at a news conference Friday. The province reported an estimated 1,300 new cases of COVID-19 on New Year’s Day, putting the province over 102,000 total cases since the start of the pandemic. 
  • Canada now has seen 582,697+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,606+ deaths from the infection and 489,819+ recoveries. There are 73,420+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 83,957,701+ confirmed cases with 1,827,121+ deaths and 47,271,835+ recoveries.

Dec. 31

  • Ontario reported it has seen 182,159 total cases of COVID-19, adding a record 3,328 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 56 to 4,530. There are 1,235 people in hospital, up 58, with 337 in intensive care, up 14, 210 on a ventilator, up six. There are 888 new cases in Toronto, 431 in Peel, 418 in York Region and 257 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,213 more resolved cases for a total of 156,012 recoveries.
  • The province completed 63,858 tests in the past 24 hours. There have been 7,922,058 tests conducted so far. There are 72,283 tests under review.
  • There are 187 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,186 residents with an infection and 1,050 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,777 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Premier Doug Ford has accepted the resignation of a contrite Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips who returned home today from his much-criticized Caribbean vacation. The minister called the holiday a “dumb, dumb” decision. Ford has named Pickering—Uxbridge MPP and former businessman and current Treasury Board President, Peter Bethlenfalvy, to be the minister of finance and deliver the government’s 2021 budget. Phillips will stay on as MPP for Ajax.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 63 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 9,929 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 392. Eleven people are in hospital; four in intensive care. There are 473 active cases and there have been 9,054 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 16 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There is one other outbreak.
  • The province said there were 194 new cases in Ottawa today. In response to questions about the difference in reported numbers, OPH replied “there are reasons for this … involving databases, reporting methods, data verification at local level, etc. … The day-by-day case counts aren’t what we need to focus on. It’s the trends that matter. And ours are trending up. All of the data indicates that. And that’s not good.” CTV has more.
  • Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches, says it’s unlikely the city will leave lockdown before the rest of the province on Jan. 23 after some of the key numbers used to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in the nation’s capital rose sharply. “We evaluate the numbers every day to check on the trends,” she said. “This trend is going to lead us to maintain this 28-day lockdown, I think. It takes some time to move away from an increase, to flatten the curve again.”
  • The city’s number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, which is now at 40.1, up from fewer than 36 on Tuesday. 
  • Etches said people should celebrate New Year’s only with people in their household.
  • The Ottawa Senators were one of seven clubs across the 31-team NHL to begin training camp Thursday after not qualifying for the summer post-season as part of the resumption of the pandemic-halted 2019-20 campaign. The other six Canadian teams are slated to open training camp Sunday or Monday. The federal government has allowed Canadian training camps to begin under “national interest grounds.” Provinces will have to give approval for any league home games to happen. So far only Alberta has approved games in Edmonton and Calgary.
  • Quebec has now recorded 202,641 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,819 new cases today; 172,047 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,226 with 62 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,175, down 36, with 165 in intensive care, up 13. The province completed 36,620 tests on Dec. 28 for a total of 4,882,251. The province administered 3,942 doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 29,250.
  • The Outaouais reported 45 cases of infection for a total of 4,768, along with a total of 117 deaths, up five. Some 4,156 cases have been resolved. There are 456 active cases.
  • New Brunswick health is reporting the province’s ninth COVID-19 related death, as well as three new cases on Thursday.
  • Nova Scotia has announced three new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. Six previously reported cases are now considered recovered, dropping the total number of active cases in the province to 22.
  • There were 187 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Manitoba along with six deaths.
  • Saskatchewan has seen one new death and 190 new cases of COVID-19. Two ministers in the Saskatchewan cabinet, Joe Hargrave, the highways minister and Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Christine Tell, are also feeling the heat for trips to Arizona and California respectively during the pandemic.
  • British Columbia health officials reported 683 new test-positive COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the provincially recorded total to 51,983. There were also eight deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 580,712+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,598+ deaths from the infection and 489,365+ recoveries. There are 73,420+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 83,338,512+ confirmed cases with 1,815,864+ deaths and 46,993,335+ recoveries.

Dec.30

  • Ontario reported it has seen 178,831 total cases of COVID-19, adding a record 2,923 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 19 to 4,474. There are 1,177 people in hospital, up 313, with 323 in intensive care, up 19, 204 on a ventilator, down three. There are 998 new cases in Toronto, 441 in Peel, 408 in York Region, 158 in Durham and 144 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,237 more resolved cases for a total of 153,799 recoveries.
  • The province completed 39,210 tests in the past 24 hours. There have been 7,858,200 tests conducted so far. There are 54,955 tests under review.
  • There are 192 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,188 residents with an infection and 1,057 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,738 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips, who released pre-recorded holiday messages while on the island of St. Bart’s, has been ordered home from a Caribbean vacation by Premier Doug Ford, who has urged Ontarians not to travel outside the country, said he would not tolerate another such incident by members of his cabinet. Phillips left the country for a vacation before the province went into lockdown. He will meet the premier Thursday with calls for his firing raging.
  • Ford told reporters that he learned Phillips was in the Caribbean after the minister’s departure, but he admitted he made a mistake by not ordering him home immediately.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 64 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 9,866 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 392. Thirteen people are in hospital; two in intensive care. There are 473 active cases and there have been 9,001 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 17 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 199,822 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,511 new cases today; 170,045 have recovered. The death toll is now 8,165 with 41 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,211, up 80, with 152 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 28,541  tests on Dec. 28 for a total of 4,845,631. The province administered 2,739 doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 25,315.
  • The Outaouais reported 39 cases of infection for a total of 4,723, along with a total of 112 deaths, up five. Some 4,110 cases have been resolved. There are 467 active cases.
  • Quebec Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand is in Barbados on holidays. In a statement to Radio-Canada, Arcand said he now regrets the decision, “given the current situation in Quebec and the respect we owe to health workers.” Arcand said that when he and his wife realized Quebec’s public health rules meant no family Christmas with children and grandchildren, they headed to the West Indies.
  • New Brunswick reports one new case of COVID-19 today. There are 27 active cases in the province.
  • Nova Scotia reported three new cases and 25 active cases.
  • Manitoba reported 130 new cases and two deaths. The province is also adjusting its vaccination plan and will not hold back as many doses for booster shots than originally planned.
  • Saskatchewan recorded three more deaths and 147 new cases.
  • Alberta reported an additional 1,287 COVID-19 cases and 18 deaths on Wednesday.
  • Another 485 people in British Columbia tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Wednesday. She also announced a ban on liquor sales at bars, restaurants and retail stores from 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The order is meant to curb New Year’s Eve parties and associated COVID-19 transmission. In the last 24 hours another 11 people died from their infections.
  • Canada now has seen 572,982+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,472+ deaths from the infection and 484,583+ recoveries. There are 73,420+ active cases.
  • The federal government is now strongly discouraging international non-essential travel. Any passengers landing in Canada from overseas must quarantine for 14 days during which there will be regular checks both in-person and by phone. Breaking the quarantine could lead to a fine of up to $75,000 and six months in jail. The government says about two per cent of the COVID-19 cases in Canada have been brought in from overseas.
  • Canada will also require a negative covid test three days before arriving in the country.
  • Cases of COVID-19 variants from the United Kingdom have now been found in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. The government is also screening for a new variant that has emerged in South Africa.
  • Globally, there have now been 82,510,560+ confirmed cases with 1,800,400+ deaths and 46,640,066+ recoveries.
  • The United Kingdom has approved the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine for use. This is the first approval of the vaccine which is cheaper and more easily delivered than the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Canada has purchased about 20 million doses of this vaccine, enough to vaccinate 10 million Canadians. The U.K. is experience a holiday surge in cases where a new more contagious variant of the illness is spreading. So far the U.K. has seen 72,656+ deaths and 2,440,166+ cases since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 53,000 in the past 24 hours.
  • Health Canada officials are still waiting for AstraZeneca to provide information and data for review, the department said in a statement Wednesday morning. “Health Canada is aware that the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued an authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca,” the statement read. “There is still information and data to be provided by AstraZeneca for review. Health Canada cannot provide a definite timeline for the completion of the review at this time.”
  • A newly elected Republican congressman from Louisiana has died because of COVID-19 infection. Luke Letlow joins a total of 338,831+ Americans who have died because of the infection. Some 19,530,197+ have been infected.
  • Colorado health officials have identified the first two cases of the new, more contagious, U.K. variant in the U.S.

Dec.29

  • Ontario reported it has seen 175,908 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,553 additional infections today. (The province reported 1,939 cases on Monday). The death toll rose by 41 to 4,455. There are 864 people in hospital, with 304 in intensive care, 207 on a ventilator. There are 895 new cases in Toronto, 496 in Peel, 147 in Windsor-Essex County, 144 in Hamilton and 142 in York Region. There are 2,233 more resolved cases for a total of 151,562 recoveries.
  • The province completed 34,112 tests in the past 24 hours. There have been 7,818,990 tests conducted so far. There are 32,850 tests under review.
  • There are 163 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,146 residents with an infection and 990 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,726 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Rick Hillier says all 19 vaccine clinics in hospitals in the province have reopened today. Hillier said the decision to pause the clinics over the Christmas holiday weekend was a mistake.
  • He urged Health Canada to investigate whether one shot use of the Moderna vaccine would provide enough protection to allow more people to be vaccinated. He said the 53,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine has not started to arrive in Ontario’s hands. He expects the vaccine to arrive Wednesday and the doses will be delivered in long term care homes. The first shipments of the Moderna vaccine were sent to northern Canada.
  • In January, Ontario is expected to have completed 300,000 vaccinations, 700,000 in February and a million in March. This includes those in long term care home, health care workers, Indigenous people and remote communities. Hillier predicted 8.5 million Ontarians will be vaccinated by mid-July. More than 14,000 have now been vaccinated in the province.
  • Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips is travelling outside Canada. “Immediately following the end of the legislative session, which occurred on December 8th, my wife and I departed on a previously planned personal trip outside of the country,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
  • His office later confirmed that Phillips and his wife departed on December 13. “Had I been aware then of the eventual December 26th provincewide shutdown, we would have cancelled the trip.” Phillips’ office confirms that he has not yet returned to Canada. Phillips says “we will continue to observe public health directives, including the 14-day quarantine” upon return.
  • Quebec has now recorded 197,311 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,381 new cases today. The death toll is now 8,124 with 64 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,131, up seven, with 148 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 23,444 tests on Dec. 27 for a total of 4,817,090. The province administered 2,857  doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 22,500.
  • The Outaouais reported 54 cases of infection for a total of 4,684, along with a total of 107 deaths, up two. Some 4,075 cases have been resolved. There are 448 active cases.
  • Quebec has recorded its first case of the U.K. variant of COVID-19. ‘Variant S‘ was detected in a person whose family member returned home to Quebec after a stay in the United Kingdom. The family member returned on Dec. 11, and tested positive two days later. They came into prolonged contact with three family members, all of whom tested positive for COVID-19. Three other cases have been found in Ontario, including one in Ottawa and one more case has been found in Alberta.
  • Health Minister Christian Dube said Quebec has a list of demands for the federal government regarding travel restrictions as about 3,000 people are expected to return to the province on Wednesday. He said they are in agreement on adding new measures — which mainly include mandatory testing at departure and arrival airports and stricter follow-ups during quarantine upon return  — but that they disagree about the timeline. The federal government is moving too slow.
  • Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island each reported two new cases today.
  • Manitoba health officials announced five new deaths linked to COVID-19 on Tuesday, along with 133 new confirmed cases.
  • Saskatchewan reports 10 more COVID-19 deaths, 208 new cases and 405 recoveries.
  • Alberta is setting up a temporary field hospital in Edmonton that will house 100 beds.
  • Canada now has seen 564,353+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,269+ deaths from the infection and 472,511+ recoveries. There are 74,113+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 81,508,329+ confirmed cases with 1,778,266+ deaths and 46,177,686+ recoveries.

Dec. 28

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 64 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 9,754 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is up one to 392. Twelve people are in hospital; two in intensive care. There are 434 active cases and there have been 8,928 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 17 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and three in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • Dr. Vera Etches is tweeting that the COVID-19 signal in “our city’s wastewater is increasing more steeply again & Ottawa’s per cent of tests coming back positive has jumped to 2%, signs that more of us could pass on the virus when in close contact with others. Please limit close contacts, seek testing if symptomatic.”
  • Ontario is not reporting new cases today. So far 12,148 vaccine doses have been administered in Ontario. The Ontario government was allocated about 90,000 dozes of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from the federal government which is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. Every person vaccinated is required to receive two doses, 21 days apart. Ontario says that many vaccine clinincs wer closed during the holiday weekend because of staff shortages.
  • Quebec has now recorded 194,930 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,265 new cases today. The death toll is now 8,060 with 37 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,124, up 39, with 150 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 16,550 tests on Dec. 26 for a total of 4,793,646. The province administered 2,327  doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 19,643.
  • The Outaouais reported 49 cases of infection for a total of 4,630, along with a total of 107 deaths, up two. Some 4,075 cases have been resolved. There are 448 active cases.
  • Canada now has seen 557,133+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 15,009+ deaths from the infection and 460,003+ recoveries. There are 79,863+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 81,114,788+ confirmed cases with 1,770,562+ deaths and 45,867,925+ recoveries.

Dec. 27

  • Ontario reported it has seen 171,416 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,005 additional infections today. (The province also logged 2,159 new cases on Christmas Day, Health Minister Christine Elliott tweeted today). The death toll rose by 18 to 4,377. There are 823 people in hospital, up 68, with 285 in intensive care, down one, 194 on a ventilator, up seven. There are 572 new cases in Toronto, 331 in Peel, 207 in York Region and 140 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,005 more resolved cases for a total of 147,178 recoveries.
  • There are 163 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,146 residents with an infection and 990 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,682 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario has identified another new case of the U.K. variant of COVID-19 in the city of Ottawa. The case is linked to a person in Ottawa who recently travelled from the U.K. British Columbia health officials also reported a case on Sunday, bringing the total in Canada to four.
  • A provincewide lockdown is in effect. The restrictions will remain in place for southern Ontario, including Ottawa, until Jan. 23, but will lift for northern Ontario on Jan. 9.
  • Restaurants can only provide takeout, drive-thru and delivery, including the sale of alcohol.
  • Supermarkets, pharmacies and retailers that sell primarily food can stay open for in-person shopping but with distancing and limits on capacity.
  • When the holiday break is over, children enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools will participate in remote learning from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8, and some longer depending on their age and area.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 121 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 from Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 26. The city has now seen 9,690 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is up one to 391. Thirteen people are in hospital; one in intensive care. There are 415 active cases and there have been 8,884 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 18 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Quebec began its own lockdown on Christmas Day. It ends Jan. 11.
  • The province has now recorded 192,655 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,291 new cases today. The death toll is now 8,023 with 110 new deaths reported since the last update Dec. 24. The number in hospital is 1,085, up 33, with 149 in intensive care. The province completed 21,250 tests on Dec. 25 for a total of 4,777,096. The province administered 6,145 doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 17,316.
  • The Outaouais reported 33 cases of infection for a total of 4,581, along with a total of 105 deaths. Some 4,041 cases have been resolved. There are 435 active cases.
  • Canada now has seen 552,020+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,964+ deaths from the infection and 457,193+ recoveries. There are 79,863+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 80,728,170+ confirmed cases with 1,763,715+ deaths and 45,647,983+ recoveries.
  • After a day of golf, U.S. President Donald Trump has grudgingly signed, at his Mar-a-Lago resort, legislation that offers $900 billion to help Americans struggling to pay the bills in the face of the impact of the COVD-19 pandemic. The signing comes at the COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. reaches 330,069+ and 19,111,443+ have been infected, by the far the most of any country in the world.

Dec. 26

  • Ontario reported it has seen 169,411 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,142 additional infections today. (The province also logged 2,159 new cases on Christmas Day, Health Minister Christine Elliott tweeted today). The death toll rose by 38 to 4,359. There are 755 people in hospital, down 243, with 286 in intensive care, up nine, 187 on a ventilator, up 31. There are 541 new cases in Toronto, 344 in Peel, 262 in York Region, 136 in Hamilton and 131 in Windsor-Essex. There are 1,913 more resolved cases for a total of 145,173 recoveries.
  • There are 163 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,146 residents with an infection and 990 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,682 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ontario announced on Saturday its first two confirmed cases in the province of the COVID-19 variant, first identified in the United Kingdom. Ontario is the first province to identify the new COVID-19 variant. The confirmed cases identified are from a couple from Durham Region with no known travel history, exposure or high-risk contacts, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, said in a news release on Saturday. Durham Region is east of Toronto. Both individuals have been informed and are now in self-isolation as per public health protocols, it said.
  • A provincewide lockdown takes effect today in Ontario. The restrictions will remain in place for southern Ontario, including Ottawa, until Jan. 23, but will lift for northern Ontario on Jan. 9.
  • Restaurants can only provide takeout, drive-thru and delivery, including the sale of alcohol.
  • Supermarkets, pharmacies and retailers that sell primarily food can stay open for in-person shopping but with distancing and limits on capacity.
  • When the holiday break is over, children enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools will participate in remote learning from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8, and some longer depending on their age and area.
  • Quebec began a lockdown on Christmas Day. It ends Jan. 11.
  • The province has now recorded 185,872, cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,349 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,913 with 46 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,052, down 15, with 142 in intensive care. The province completed 36,498 tests on Dec. 21 for a total of 4,648,504. The province administered 3,942 doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 11,171.
  • The Outaouais reported nine cases of infection for a total of 4,405, along with a total of 105 deaths, up six. Some 3,948 cases have been resolved. There are 352 active cases.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 59 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,569 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 390. Fourteen people are in hospital. There are 372 active cases and there have been 8,807 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 18 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Canada now has seen 541,616+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,801+ deaths from the infection and 448,223+ recoveries. There are 75,305+ active cases.
  • The federal government has launched an $850,000 digital-based ad campaign warning Canadians about the perils of travelling abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could include grounded flights or lax health rules at their destination.
  • Globally, there have now been 80,317,820+ confirmed cases with 1,756,921+ deaths and 45,373,302+ recoveries.

Dec. 25

  • Canada now has seen 535,244+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,720+ deaths from the infection and 444,066+ recoveries. There are 75,305+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 79,799,931+ confirmed cases with 1,749,312+ deaths and 44,952,187+ recoveries.
  • All many people want for Christmas this year is a simple hug, Queen Elizabeth said in her annual holiday message, saying it would be hard for those who lost loved ones to COVID-19 pandemic or were separated by curbs on social mixing.
  • In the annual Urbi et Orbi Christmas address, Pope Francis urged political and business leaders to not allow market forces and patent laws to take priority over making Covid 19 vaccines available to all, condemning nationalism and “the virus of radical individualism”.

Dec. 24

  • Ontario reported it has seen 165,110 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,447 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 49 to 4,278. There are 967 people in hospital, down 35, with 277 in intensive care, up two, 176 on a ventilator, down 10. There are 646 new cases in Toronto, 502 in Peel, 263 in York Region and 173 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,013 more resolved cases for a total of 141,010 recoveries. The province completed 64,592 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,592,554. There are 75,250 tests pending.
  • There are 162 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,075 residents with an infection and 976 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,643 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 976 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 5,103 students have been infected, 1,094 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario is expecting to receive 53,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year. The first shipments arrived in Canada today. Premier Doug Ford says the new vaccine, which was approved by Health Canada on Wednesday, is a “‘game-changer.” The province will first take the vaccine to long-term care homes.
  • The NHL says that the provinces have agreed to allow home games at Canadian rinks. The Ottawa Senators start their season Jan. 15 at home against Toronto.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 62 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,510 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 390. Fifteen people are in hospital. There are 349 active cases and there have been 8,729 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 19 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 185,872, cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,349 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,913 with 46 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,052, down 15, with 142 in intensive care. The province completed 36,498 tests on Dec. 21 for a total of 4,648,504. The province administered 3,942 doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 11,171.
  • The Outaouais reported nine cases of infection for a total of 4,405, along with a total of 105 deaths, up six. Some 3,948 cases have been resolved. There are 352 active cases.
  • Nova Scotia reported seven new cases today.
  • New Brunswick reported two new cases of COVID-19 today.
  • There were 244 new cases reported in Manitoba on Tuesday, along with 12 more deaths connected to the illness.
  • Health officials in Saskatchewan said there were 154 new cases on Tuesday and four new deaths.
  • Alberta reported 1,100 new cases on Thursday, in the first of a series of modified data updates the province will be posting over the holidays. An estimated 15,600 laboratory tests were done in the last 24 hours, and the province’s positivity rate was at seven per cent, according to a tweet from chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw. The province is posting limited data during the holidays.
  • British Columbia recorded 582 new cases of infection and 12 new deaths from COVID-19. Meanwhile a second mink farm has reported cases of COVID-19 infection. The farm is under quarantine.
  • Canada now has seen 535,212+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,720+ deaths from the infection and 444,068+ recoveries. There are 75,305+ active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 79,290,216+ confirmed cases with 1,740,423+ deaths and 44,652,378+ recoveries.

Dec. 23

  • Health Canada has approved the Moderna COVID vaccine for use in this country. The company has pledged to begin shipping thousands of doses of vaccine — which is more mobile because it doesn’t require a deep freeze — within 48 hours of the approval. An estimated 168,000 doses are expected by year end. The vaccine is approved for those 18 and over. Merry Christmas.
  • Health Canada is reviewing information from two other vaccines from AstraZeneca and Johnsn and Johnson.
  • Ontario reported it has seen 162,663 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,408 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 41 to 4,229. There are 1,002 people in hospital, down three, with 275 in intensive care, up two, 186 on a ventilator, up 14. There are 629 new cases in Toronto, 448 in Peel, 234 in Windsor-Essex County, 190 in York Region and 150 in Hamilton. There are 2,243 more resolved cases for a total of 139,010 recoveries.
  • There are 161 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 1,053 residents with an infection and 997 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,608 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 976 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 5,103 students have been infected, 1,094 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • Health Minister Christine Elliott and Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa MacLeod, both say that the lockdown in the Ottawa area will be reviewed after 14 days. Both say health officials will determine whether the lockdown lifts.
  • Residents in Ontario and Quebec should not cross the provincial border for recreational activities, like skiing and skating, Lisa MacLeod says.
  • “My very strong recommendation is for all residents of Ottawa, and obviously the residents of Gatineau, to only travel if it’s required, and if it’s for work, or it’s for a medical necessity,” said MacLeod during a virtual funding announcement for Ontario’s non-profit organizations. 
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,448 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 390, up one. Eighteen people are in hospital. There are 329 active cases and there have been 8,729 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 19 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and one in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • The Eastern Ontario public health unit reported nine new cases; Renfrew County reported three new cases; Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington reported six new cases; and there were no new cases reported in Leeds-Grenville and Lanark.
  • Ontario completed 56,660 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,527,962. Some 66,976 tests are pending.
  • OC Transpo has cancelled free service on New Year’s Eve because of public health advice.
  • Quebec has now recorded 183,523, cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,247 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,867 with 74 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,067, up 12, with 142 in intensive care, up five. The province completed 36,498 tests on Dec. 21 for a total of 4,648,504. The province administered 1,891 doses of vaccine Wednesday for a total of 7,229.
  • The Outaouais reported 29 cases of infection for a total of 4,396, along with a total of 99 deaths. Some 3,816 cases have been resolved. There are 404 active cases.
  • Nova Scotia reported four new cases today.
  • New Brunswick reported five new cases of COVID-19 today.
  • There were 201 new cases reported in Manitoba on Tuesday, along with 15 more deaths connected to the illness.
  • Health officials in Saskatchewan said there were 159 new cases on Tuesday and five new deaths.
  • Alberta is reporting 1,301 new confirmed cases along with 19 new deaths.
  • British Columbia reported 518 new cases and 19 deaths from COVID-19. Dr. Bonnie Henry released new modelling that shows B.C.’s second wave curve is flattening. Henry said the week of Dec. 15 to 21 was one of the most challenging of the pandemic in the province, as 109 people died after contracting the illness.
  • Canada now has seen 526,164+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,540+ deaths from the infection and 433,804+ recoveries. There are 75,523 active cases.
  • Real gross domestic product grew for the sixth consecutive month, up 0.4 per cent in October following a 0.8 per cent increase in September, Statistics Canada reports. The upward movement of real GDP continued to offset the steepest drops on record in Canadian economic activity observed in March and April. Total economic activity was about four per cent below February’s pre-pandemic level.
  • As well, StatsCan says the median net worth of Canadian families was $329,900 in 2019. The growth in net worth was slower over the 2016 to 2019 period compared with earlier in the decade.
  • Finally, the agency says that in June 2020, average life satisfaction was at its lowest level over the 2003-to-2020 period for which comparable data are available.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency has released the names of all companies that received the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and urged employees to report any suspicious activities related to the pandemic-relief program, which has paid out more than $54-billion since April. The names are in a searchable online database.
  • Canada is extending a ban on flights from the United Kingdom until Jan. 6. The prime minister encouraged Canadians to put off international travel at this time.
  • The Toronto Raptors open the 2020-21 NBA season against the New Orleans Pelicans.
  • Ontario Hockey League Commissioner David Branch said the 2020-2021 season will be further delayed by COVID-19, but has yet to set new dates.
  • Globally, there have now been 78,197,192+ confirmed cases with 1,720,949+ deaths and 44,138,187+ recoveries.
  • The United Kingdom has announced it has found another new strain of coronavirus that is even more contagious than another variant. The newest version of the virus that caused COVID-19 originated in South Africa, U.K. officials say.
  • Cases of the U.K. variant have been found in Israel and Singapore.
  • Toronto Raptors open the 2020-21 NBA season against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dec. 22

  • Ontario reported it has seen 160,255 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,202 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 21 to 4,188. There are 1,005 people in hospital, up 90, with 273 in intensive care, up eight, 172 on a ventilator, up 20. There are 636 new cases in Toronto, 504 in Peel, 218 in York Region and 172 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 1,900 more resolved cases for a total of 136,767 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 45,265 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,471,302. Some 47,872 tests are pending.
  • There are 159 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 963 residents with an infection and 972 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,592 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 976 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 5,103 students have been infected, 1,094 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • The province is expanding the Support for Learners program to students age 13 through Grade 12. The program offers $200 for each child to help offset remote learning costs.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 16 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,400 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 389. Twenty people are in hospital. There are 330 active cases and there have been 8,681 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 17 Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says he will ask the Ontario government to reduce the length of time the city is in lockdown because local daily case counts are low and under control, as are hospitalizations. The province imposed 28-day lockdown across southern Ontario, including Ottawa, that begins Dec. 26.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended the decision to put Ottawa into a 28-day lockdown on Boxing Day. “I just have to remind everyone in Ottawa, you’re in the orange restrict level. You aren’t in yellow, you aren’t in green. And just imagine if I said, ‘OK, let’s open up Ottawa and forget everyone else,'” Ford said on Tuesday.
  • Quebec has now recorded 181,276, cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,183 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,794 with 28 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,055, up seven, with 137 in intensive care, down nine. The province completed 26,130 tests on Dec. 20 for a total of 4,612,006. The province administered 437 doses of vaccine Tuesday for a total of 5,273.
  • The Outaouais reported 29 cases of infection for a total of 4,348, along with a total of 99 deaths. Some 3,816 cases have been resolved. There are 404 active cases.
  • Quebec Premier François Legault is urging the federal government to stem the tide of travellers leaving the country and heading south. And he warned Tuesday that he may also take more severe measures when travelers’ return home. During a joint press conference with the three leaders of the province’s opposition parties urging citizens to respect COVID-19 restrictions, Legault denounced the federal government’s slowness in intervening, since airports and borders are federal, not provincial.
  • Gatineau police are reporting a rise in “sextortion” cases — in which criminals use fake identities to trick people into performing sexual acts in front of a webcam, and then blackmail victims with the recorded images, CBC reports. From the beginning of the year until Nov. 30, the Gatineau Police Service said 46 victims came forward, up from 31 cases last year. 
  • Nova Scotia reported seven new cases today, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 40.
  • New Brunswick reported two new cases of COVID-19 today.
  • There were 155 new cases reported in Manitoba on Tuesday, along with 18 more deaths connected to the illness.
  • Health officials in Saskatchewan said there were 181 new cases on Tuesday and three new deaths.
  • Alberta is reporting 1,021 new confirmed cases along with 11 new deaths.
  • The pastor at an Edmonton-area church was handed a $1,200 ticket Sunday for contravening the orders of Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
  • British Columbia reported 444 new cases on Tuesday along with 12 more deaths. Earlier in the day, in a move to encourage people to get the shot, B.C.’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry was vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
  • Canada now has seen 520,498+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,414+ deaths from the infection and 429,059+ recoveries. There are 76,584 active cases.
  • Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says Canada is putting into place enhanced measures to screen travellers from Britain, including those arriving indirectly via other nations.
  • Dr. Theresa Tam told reporters today that there is no evidence yet the new variant of COVID-19 virus is in Canada, but it likely is here. This comes as Air Canada suspends flights to the United Kingdom. The EU is also recommending against non-essential travel to the United Kingdom.
  • Globally, there have now been 77,534,614+ confirmed cases with 1,706,032+ deaths and 43,777,496+ recoveries.

Dec. 21

  • Ontario has announced strict new restrictions today that will lock down the province starting on Dec. 26. The lockdown in southern Ontario will last 28 days. In northern Ontario the lockdown will last 14 days.
  • The lockdown means that all schools in the province will move to remote learning on Jan. 4. Elementary schools will reopen for in-person learning on Jan. 11. Secondary students will learn online until Jan. 25.
  • The government is announcing a new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners.
  • The government is also providing $12.5 million to implement a High Priority Communities Strategy to contain the virus in high-risk communities. The strategy will take a tailored, community-based approach to fund community agencies in 15 priority communities in the York, Peel, Durham, Ottawa, and Toronto regions. The funding will also allow for the hiring of community ambassadors to make people aware of available services and assistance, for coordination of increased testing opportunities and for the arrangement of wraparound supports for those who are COVID-positive. Additional funding of $42 million will also be available to establish isolation centres. 
  • Ontario’s ability to control the spread of COVID-19 is “precarious,” but tough lockdowns lasting a month or more could cut the number of daily cases below 1,000, the province’s health advisors said Monday. The experts noted that if if Ontario’s COVID-19 case rate continues to grow between one to three per cent, the province will have 3,000 to 5,000 daily cases by the end of January.
  • The new projections show that under all scenarios the province will see 300 intensive care unit beds filled within 10 days — double the 150-bed threshold where surgeries must be cancelled.
  • Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson had hoped the region would be spared from a 28 day lockdown and he says he will push Queen’s Park fir a shorter lockdown.
  • Ford told reporters that if the city remained open while other regions shut down, people would travel there. “I want to give a shoutout to the folks of Ottawa,” he said. “[But there] will be a tremendous risk over the holidays of people flooding in across the border if they were to stay open.” He also said that if Ottawa remains open, people from the Outaouais would cross during the Quebec lockdown which runs from Boxing Day to Jan. 11.
  • On the day of the lockdown, Ontario reported it has seen 158,053 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,123 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 17 to 4,167. There are 910 people in hospital, up 40, with 265 in intensive care, up four, 152 on a ventilator, down four. There are 611 new cases in Toronto, 480 in Peel, 192 in York Region and 138 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 1,654 more resolved cases for a total of 134,867 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 54,505 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,426,037. Some 39,106 tests are pending.
  • There are 160 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 965 residents with an infection and 959 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,581 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 976 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 5,103 students have been infected, 1,094 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province intends to begin testing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport if the federal government doesn’t begin an extensive screening program and enforcement of quarantine regulations. This is to determine if a new and highly infectious strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 is landing at Canada’s busiest airport.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 31 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,384 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 389. Nineteen people are in hospital. There are 378 active cases and there have been 8,617 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 19 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and two in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 179,093, cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,108 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,766 with 30 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,048, up 38, with 146 in intensive care. The province completed 26,426 tests on Dec. 19 for a total of 4,585,876. The province administered 115 doses of vaccine Monday for a total of 4,831.
  • The Outaouais reported 67 cases of infection for a total of 4,319, along with a total of 99 deaths, up two. Some 3,796 cases have been resolved. There are 359 active cases.
  • New Brunswick reports four new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 48.
  • Nova Scotia reported two new cases.
  • Manitoba sees four COVID-19 deaths Monday, along with reporting 167 new cases.
  • Saskatchewan reported Monday four more people with COVID-19 have died, plus 206 new cases and 92 recoveries.
  • Alberta confirmed 1,240 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest one-day count since Nov. 27, and nine more deaths Monday afternoon. The province’s positivity rate is at 6.8 per cent after Alberta Health Services conducted 18,306 tests on Sunday. The R-value for the province is 0.92, while Edmonton and Calgary’s are 0.89 and 0.97.
  • British Columbia reported 1,667 new cases since Friday, for a total of 47,067 cases since the pandemic began. Between Friday and Saturday, there were 652 new cases; 486 more cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday and 529 more COVID-19 cases were added between Sunday and Monday. There have been 41 more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 512,026+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,275+ deaths from the infection and 420,187+ recoveries. There are 76,859 active cases.
  • Globally, there have now been 77,134,668+ confirmed cases with 1,698,497+ deaths and 43,479,334+ recoveries.
  • More than 40 countries have now banned flights from the United Kingdom because of concerns about the spread of a new variant of coronavirus. The U.K. recorded 33,364 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and 215 deaths from the infection.
  • Australia confirmed on Monday it has detected two cases of a fast-spreading coronavirus strain that has forced Britain to reverse plans to ease curbs over Christmas, the first confirmed cases of the strain in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The U.S. Congress is about to pass a long overdue $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, that will see individual Americans receive a $600 cheque. The package also includes help for small businesses and other measures.

Dec. 20

  • Ontario now has seen 155,930 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,316 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 25 to 4,150. There are 875 people in hospital, down 20, with 261 in intensive care, up five, 156 on a ventilator, up 10. There are 486 new cases in Toronto, 468 in Peel, 326 in York Region, 151 in Windsor-Essex County and 128 in Niagara. There are 1,931 more resolved cases for a total of 133,213 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 69,412 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,371,532. Some 54,546 tests are pending.
  • There are 154 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 931 residents with an infection and 900 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,564 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 957 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 22 schools are closed. So far, 4,996 students have been infected, 1,060 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario will announce strict new restrictions on Monday that will essentially lockdown large portions of the province. The duration of the lockdowns is expected to vary from hot zones to less active zones such as in Ottawa.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 39 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,353 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 389. Eighteen people are in hospital. There are 389 active cases and there have been 8,575 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 17 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and three in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • OPH shared an infographic Sunday that traced how 89 COVID-19 cases and 445 high-risk contacts arose out of one hockey practice — all after an asymptomatic person with COVID-19 showed up. The subsequent cases were connected to 10 sports teams or practices, four schools and one day care, OPH said. It attributed the spread to people carpooling, not wearing masks consistently at practices and mingling later without adhering to physical-distancing guidelines.
  • New rules for local businesses to help limit the spread of COVID-19 come into effect this week. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches issued the new guidelines Friday. Statistics from Ottawa Public Health show that transmission of the virus has been stable over the past several weeks. “Our dashboard indicator numbers are stable, meaning they are no longer declining. As such, we are working with businesses to take further action to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” Etches said in a special statement on the OPH website.
  • Quebec has now recorded 176,985 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,146 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,736 with 21 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,010, up five, with 146 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 36,689 tests on Dec. 18 for a total of 4,559,450. The province administered 719 doses of vaccine Sunday for a total of 4,716.
  • The Outaouais reported 55 cases of infection on Sunday for a total of 4,252, along with a total of 97 deaths. Some 3,796 cases have been resolved. There are 359 active cases.
  • Quebec schools are closed to Jan. 11. The extended break could include some remote learning and homework. Day cares will remain open, but parents are urged to keep their children at home if possible. Almost all office workers will be required to work from home until Jan. 11. Finally almost all of the province’s regions, including the Outaouais, will be re-classified as red zones, with the only exceptions being Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Nord-du-Quebec, the North Shore, Grosse-Ile and Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Nunavik and Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie James, which will be classified as orange.
  • New Brunswick reported one new case today.
  • Nova Scotia reported two new cases.
  • Nunavut‘s health authorities have confirmed two deaths, the territory’s first-ever from COVID-19.
  • Manitoba sees 13 COVID-19 deaths Sunday, along with 229 new cases.
  • Saskatchewan reported three new deaths on Sunday, along with 226 new cases of infection.
  • Alberta recorded 1,286 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and 10 more deaths. The provincial death toll now stands at 851.
  • Canada now has seen 507,795+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,228+ deaths from the infection and 416,708+ recoveries. There are 76,044 active cases.
  • Inmates at the Joyceville Institution in northeast Kingston, Ont., are calling on Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and the prison’s warden to provide more information about the COVID-19 outbreak raging there, CBC reports. As of Saturday, 95 inmates at the medium-security prison had tested positive for COVID-19, seven more than on Thursday. Four staff members have also tested positive, according to CSC’s website.
  • Globally, there have now been 76,789,781+ confirmed cases with 1,692,578+ deaths and 43,252,625+ recoveries.
  • A new strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been identified in the United Kingdom. The variant is considered 70 per cent more infectious and that has prompted lockdowns in southern England along with bans on travel to and from the U.K. being imposed by several European nations, along with more stringent quarantine rules for those who have been in the U.K.
  • Canada has closed down travel from the U.K. because of this new strain of the virus for at least the next 72 hours. So far there is no indication the variant is immune to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
  • The United Kingdom has 2,046,161+ infections and has seen 67,503+ deaths.

Dec. 19

  • Ontario now has seen 153,614 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,357 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 27 to 4,125. There are 895 people in hospital, up 18, with 256 in intensive care, down five, 146 on a ventilator, down 22. There are 665 new cases in Toronto, 448 in Peel, 174 in York Region and 170 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 1,865 more resolved cases for a total of 131,282 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 67,207 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,302,120. Some 78,147 tests are pending.
  • There are 139 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 757 residents with an infection and 843 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,546 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 957 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 22 schools are closed. So far, 4,996 students have been infected, 1,060 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 46 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,314 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 389. Twenty people are in hospital. There are 391 active cases and there have been 8,534 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 16 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and three in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 174,839 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 2,038  new cases today. The death toll is now 7,715 with 44 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,005, down six, with 142 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 42,136 tests on Dec. 17 for a total of 4,522,761. The province administered 715 doses of vaccine Saturday for a total of 4,020.
  • Quebec schools are closed to Jan. 11. The extended break could include some remote learning and homework. Day cares will remain open, but parents are urged to keep their children at home if possible. Almost all office workers will be required to work from home until Jan. 11. Finally almost all of the province’s regions, including the Outaouais, will be re-classified as red zones, with the only exceptions being Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Nord-du-Quebec, the North Shore, Grosse-Ile and Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Nunavik and Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie James, which will be classified as orange.
  • Nearly 600 residents and staff at CHSLD Lionel-Émond in Gatineau, Que., one of the largest long-term care facilities in the Outaouais, should begin receiving a COVID-19 vaccine next week, according to the region’s public health authority.
  • New Brunswick health officials reported five new cases Saturday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 49.
  • Nova Scotia reported two new cases Saturday, bringing the number of total active cases in the province to 46.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, the most in a single day in the province since April 6.
  • Prince Edward Island reported one new case of COVID-19 Saturday. The individual who tested positive is a woman in her 50s who arrived in the province Thursday following travel within Canada but outside the Atlantic provinces.
  • There are 238 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba Saturday and nine more people have died from the illness, according to a provincial news release. That brings the total number of deaths to 556, nearly half of them within the last three weeks.  
  • Saskatchewan reported eight more deaths, bringing the total to 115. The province also announced 252 news cases in its daily COVID-19 update, bringing the total cases in Saskatchewan to 13,329 — 3,762 are active.
  • Alberta reported 26 more deaths Saturday, the second highest single-day total since the pandemic began, along with 1,352 new cases of the virus around the province.
  • Canada now has seen 501,594+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,154+ deaths from the infection and 409,723+ recoveries. There are 75,695 active cases.
  • More than half of the World Juniors pre-tournament exhibition games have been cancelled after a COVID-19 outbreak inside the Edmonton bubble affecting the German and Swedish teams. CTV has more.
  • A Statistics Canada report says that Canada’s population growth has “essentially stopped” because of COVID-19, with our population only going up by 2,767 from July 1 to October 1 — virtually zero per cent.
  • Retail sales edged up 0.4 per cent to $54.6 billion in October, marking the sixth consecutive monthly increase since the record decline in April, Statistics Canada says. The sales growth was led by motor vehicle and parts dealers.
  • The Consumer Price Index rose at a faster pace in November (1.0 per cent) than in October (0.7 per cent), with shelter prices (1.9 per cent) contributing the most to the increase. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 1.3 per cent in November, up from a 1.0 per cent increase in October, StatCan says. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, the CPI rose 0.3 per cent in November.
  • Canadians living in households that experienced food insecurity (insecure or inadequate access to food because of financial constraints) during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly more likely to perceive their mental health as fair or poor and to report moderate or severe anxiety symptoms than Canadians in food-secure households. One in seven Canadians (14.6 per cent) were estimated to live in a food-insecure household in May 2020. A new study, released today in Health Reports, is the first to examine the association between household food insecurity and self-perceived mental health and anxiety among Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also estimated that 9.3% of Canadians living in food-insecure households reported having recently accessed free food or meals from a community organization.
  • In September, Statistics Canada, as part of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), asked Canadians what steps they have taken to safeguard their own health as well as the health of others. The vast majority of Canadians (97 per cent) reported that they wore a mask in public when physical distancing was difficult and three-quarters said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
  • Globally, there have now been 76,079,322+ confirmed cases with 1,681,885+ deaths and 42,933,911+ recoveries.

Dec. 18

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Pfizer will ship 125,000 vaccine doses a week in January 2021 for a total of 500,000 shots — primarily destined for the arms of front line health care workers and long term care home residents. Pfizer has committed already to delivering 249,000 doses to Canada in December. About 375,000 Canadians are expected to be vaccinated with the two-dose Pfizer shot by the end of January.
  • Canada is also anticipating the delivery this month of 168,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine, enough for about 84,000 people. The vaccine is waiting on Health Canada’s regulatory approval.
  • Ontario now has seen 151,257 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,290 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 40 to 4,098. There are 877 people in hospital, down 42, with 261 in intensive care, down two, 168 on a ventilator, down four. There are 691 new cases in Toronto, 361 in Peel, 296 in York Region, 207 in Windsor-Essex County and 126 in Hamilton. There are 1,992 more resolved cases for a total of 129,417 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 68,246 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,234,913. Some 81,235 tests are pending.
  • There are 139 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 757 residents with an infection and 843 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,537 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 957 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 22 schools are closed. So far, 4,996 students have been infected, 1,060 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • After an emergency meeting of the cabinet, Ontario has extended the lockdown of Toronto and Peel Region. The premier said new restrictions will be announced. They won’t include a curfew, he said, without elaborating.
  • The province also tightened public health restrictions in five regions. Hamilton will move to the grey or “lockdown” level. Brant County and Niagara Region move into the red or “control” zone, the public health unit for Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington moves into the orange or “restrict” zone, and Timiskaming moves into yellow or “protect.” The restrictions take effect Monday and will remain in place until Jan. 4.
  • Eighty inmates and four staff members at the medium-security Joyceville Institution near Kingston, ON, have tested positive for COVID-19. Also there are five inmates with the infection at Collins Bay penitentiary and three more at Warkworth Institution. At least two in the inmates infected were exposed at Joyceville. Correctional Service Canada (CSC) has ended in person visits in all Ontario prisons.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 57 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,268 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 389, up one. Twenty-two people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 397 active cases and there have been 8,482 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 17 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and four in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, one of the country’s most prominent private courses, has banked a $1-million surplus from its past season, thanks mostly to federal subsidies for workers’ wages during the COVID-19 pandemic, CBC reports. 
  • Quebec has now recorded 172,801 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,773  new cases today. The death toll is now 7,671 with 36 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,011, up nine, with 141 in intensive care, up seven. The province completed 39,762 tests on Dec. 16 for a total of 4,480,625. The province administered 896 doses of vaccine Friday for a total of 3,305.
  • Quebec schools are closed to Jan. 11. The extended break could include some remote learning and homework. Day cares will remain open, but parents are urged to keep their children at home if possible. Almost all office workers will be required to work from home until Jan. 11. Finally almost all of the province’s regions, including the Outaouais, will be re-classified as red zones, with the only exceptions being Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Nord-du-Quebec, the North Shore, Grosse-Ile and Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Nunavik and Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie James, which will be classified as orange.
  • Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé says the province is preparing beds in non-traditional locations. One of those sites, in Quebec City, is in a local hotel, where guest rooms and reception rooms have been commandeered. Ten hospitals have reached a “critical” stage, the health minister said. Those hospitals are:Chicoutimi Hospital, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, CHU de Québec–Université Laval, CHAUR de Trois-Rivières, Hôpital Pierre-Boucher, Hôpital Anna-Laberge, Lakeshore General Hospital, Verdun Hospital, Hull Hospital, Quebec City Heart and Lung Institute and CHU Sherbrooke.
  • Just as the province is about to start immunizing residents this weekend, New Brunswick reported no new cases on Friday and said 52 active cases remain in the province.
  • Neighbouring Nova Scotia reported seven new cases on Friday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 48.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador reported five new cases on Friday.
  • Another 10 people have died in Manitoba and the number of new COVID-19 cases rose to 350 after staying below 300 every other day this week. The surge in cases is being driven by outbreaks in remote Indigenous communities.
  • Two more Saskatchewan residents have died from COVID-19, public health officials announced Friday. They also reported another 245 cases of infection.
  • Alberta‘s top doctor reported 25 more COVID-19 deaths and 1,413 cases on Friday. Meanwhile, Dr. Deena Hinshaw reported seeing some signs that the surge may be slowing as the daily case count was the lowest since Nov. 26.
  • British Columbia announced 624 new test-positive COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 45,400. There were 11 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 724.
  • Canada now has seen 495,346+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 14,040+ deaths from the infection and 404,985+ recoveries. There are 76,310 active cases.
  • The National Hockey League and its players’ association agreed to a 56-game schedule with hopes of starting Jan. 13. Each side must hold a vote among its constituents to put the final stamp of approval on the deal.
  • Staff at the Canada Revenue Agency were giving self-employed Canadians incorrect information about eligibility for the $2,000 monthly Canada Emergency Response Benefit, according to the head of the union representing CRA employees. CBC has more. The prime minister tells worried Canadians don’t stress about it, but won’t say the money will be forgiven.
  • Canada will send any excess vaccine doses to help poorer countries, the prime minister said today.
  • Globally, there have now been 75,508,468+ confirmed cases with 1,671,772+ deaths and 42,602,038+ recoveries.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use Earlier in the day U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence and others were vaccinated in TV this morning with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This all comes as the U.S. is under siege from the virus. So far 17,416,108+ cases have been reported along with 313,035+ deaths.

Dec. 17

  • Ontario now has seen 148,967 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,432 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 23 to 4,058. There are 919 people in hospital, down 13, with 263 in intensive care, up seven, 172 on a ventilator, up 15. There are 737 new cases in Toronto, 434 in Peel, 209 in York Region, 190 in Windsor-Essex County and 142 in Hamilton. There are 2,009 more resolved cases for a total of 127,425 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 58,178 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,166,667. Some 78,631 tests are pending.
  • There are 140 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 819 residents with an infection and 827 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,526 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 955 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 22 schools are closed. So far, 4,884 students have been infected, 1,037 staff and 1,095 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario’s hospitals called for new 28-day lockdowns in all regions in the red tier of the province’s COVID-19 restriction framework on Thursday. Premier Doug Ford said all options are on the table as case counts spike in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area.
  • Ontario is promising to boost training and create 27,000 jobs to work in long term care homes across the province with an investment of $1.9 billion that will be spent through 2024-25.
  • Cancer specialists are worried about the significant drop in the number of cancer screening, referrals and diagnoses in Canada since the pandemic began in March. It doesn’t mean that cancer rates are dropping — experts say it means that cases are being missed and people aren’t getting the treatment they need, CBC reports.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 52 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,211 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 388. Twenty-three people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 379 active cases and there have been 8,444 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 15 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and four in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • As demand for outdoor recreation options surges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCC has announced it’s adding 24 kilometres to its community-maintained winter trails in Ottawa, and will also widen the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) multi-use pathway.
  • The City of Ottawa has learned it will receive another $32 million from the federal and provincial governments to offset the mounting cost of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Ontario’s education ministry is telling school boards to ask students and staff to bring home materials they might need for remote learning when they leave for the holidays in December, just in case school becomes entirely virtual in the new year.
  • Ottawa will become the third city in the province to repurpose a hotel to use as a COVID-19 isolation centre beginning next week. The federally funded $4.7-million undisclosed site will have enough rooms for 107 people.
  • Quebec has now recorded 171,028 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,855  new cases today. The death toll is now 7,635 with 22 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 1,002, up 27, with 134 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 38,486 tests on Dec. 15 for a total of 4,440,863. The province administered 969 doses of vaccine Thursday for a total of 2,582.
  • Quebec schools will now be closed from today to Jan. 11. The extended break could include some remote learning and homework. Day cares will remain open, but parents are urged to keep their children at home if possible. Almost all office workers will be required to work from home until Jan. 11. Finally almost all of the province’s regions, including the Outaouais, will be re-classified as red zones, with the only exceptions being Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Nord-du-Quebec, the North Shore, Grosse-Ile and Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Nunavik and Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie James, which will be classified as orange.
  • Before the shutdown, across Quebec, there were 15,656 active cases among students and 3,623 staff. There are 1,638 classes were closed.
  • The Outaouais has now seen 4,136 confirmed cases, up 47, along with 96 deaths from the virus.
  • Kitigan Zibi First Nation near Maniwaki, QC, has its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases.
  • New Brunswick reported six new cases of COVID-19.
  • Six cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nova Scotia.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador reported three new cases of the virus,
  • Manitoba added 221 new cases and 14 deaths.
  • Seven COVID-19 deaths were reported in Saskatchewan on Thursday, along with 238 new cases.
  • Alberta is rolling out the next phase of rapid testing deployment in the province will begin Friday. Mobile units will be deployed to homeless shelters and long-term care facilities. Positive cases are expected to be identified in a matter of hours. Alberta recorded a record-breaking 30 COVID-19 deaths along with 1,571 new cases. 
  • A British Columbia mother, who gave birth by c-section while in a coma because of complications from COVID−19, is awake and has met her newborn son for the first time. Meanwhile the province reported 673 new cases and 21 more deaths from COVID-19.
  • Canada now has seen 488,635+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,916+ deaths from the infection and 393,955+ recoveries. There are 75,885 active cases.
  • Canada has announced a new $485 million contribution toward the global effort to provide COVID-19 medicines to poor countries.
  • Canada is struggling to contain its second wave of COVID-19 in part because it’s failing to employ the basic tools of pandemic-busting — widespread testing and contact tracing, said Dr. Mona Nemer, the country’s chief scientific adviser.
  • Globally, there have now been 74,855,984+ confirmed cases with 1,659,941+ deaths and 42,277,367+ recoveries.
  • Two health care workers in Alaska suffered an allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This follows a similar incident in the U.K.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vials may hold extra ‘obtainable’ doses of the vaccine and that material should be added to the U.S. supply. The United States is reporting a massive surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths with 17,176,796+ cases reported along with 310,291+ deaths.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now working in isolation.

Dec. 16

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 41 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The city has now seen 9,159 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 387. Twenty-four people are in hospital, two in intensive care. There are 361 active cases and there have been 8,411 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 15 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Public Health (OPH) saw nearly five times as many people roll up their sleeves for an influenza shot at its clinics this year compared to last, the city’s medical officer of health says.
  • Ontario now has seen 146,535 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,139 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 43 to 4,035. There are 932 people in hospital, up 11, with 256 in intensive care, up seven, 157 on a ventilator, up one. There are 780 new cases in Toronto, 528 in Peel, 148 in York Region, 143 in Durham and 111 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,043 more resolved cases for a total of 125,416 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 49,189 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,108,489. Some 65,597 tests are pending.
  • There are 135 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 728 residents with an infection and 788 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,513 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 933 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 20 schools are closed. So far, 4,743 students have been infected, 1,010 staff and 1,094 unattributed cases.
  • The Ontario government has announced a second round of financial aid for municipalities across the province. The funding totals $695 million.
  • The group representing retirement homes in Ontario is asking the province to make COVID-19 testing mandatory for all caregivers and support workers, guidance that is already in place for long-term care homes.
  • Quebec has now recorded 169,173 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,897  new cases today. The death toll is now 7,613 with 43 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 975, up 16, with 128 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 32,873 tests on Dec. 14 for a total of 4,402,377. The province administered 1,315 doses of vaccine Monday for a total of 1,613.
  • The Outaouais has seen 4,089 cases so far, up 60. The region’s death toll is 96, up one. The entire region is now in the red alert zone, with measures coming into effect on Dec. 17 for regions such as Pontiac, Papineauville and La Peche (including Wakefield). This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools remain open in the Outaouais. All students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. Some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 15,337 active cases among students and 3,542 staff. There are 1,503 classes currently closed.
  • New Brunswick reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The number of active cases in the province is 51.
  • Four cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nova Scotia Wednesday. The number of active cases in the province continues to drop, with 55 remaining.
  • On Wednesday, the first day of COVID-19 vaccinations in the province, Newfoundland and Labrador reported five new cases of the virus,
  • Manitoba added 292 new cases, bringing the total to 21,826 since early March. The province also reported 15 more deaths, bringing the total to 523.
  • Public health officials announced 169 new COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan Wednesday.
  • Alberta confirmed 1,270 new cases of COVID-19. The positivity rate has dropped to 7.3 per cent; 749 people remain in hospital with 139 in intensive care. There were 16 new deaths related to the disease, bringing the total death tally since March to 760.
  • The British Columbia government is expanding provincial COVID-19 ticket enforcement and workplace safety measures, as part of its pandemic response. And if violation tickets do not act as a deterrent, or in cases of particularly egregious contraventions or for repeat offenders, police can recommend charges in relation to the offence. Meanwhile the province reported 640 new cases and 24 more deaths from COVID-19.
  • Canada now has seen 477,638+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,798+ deaths from the infection and 388,018+ recoveries. There are 75,580 active cases.
  • Canada expects to have enough doses on hand next year to vaccinate every Canadian that wants a shot by the end of September, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
  • Federal Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough feels “bad” for Canadians who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit thinking that they met the minimum income requirement, only to learn they might now have to repay thousands of dollars. But the government is not considering letting everyone who applied in good faith off the hook. About 441,000 Canadians have received “education letters” from the Canada Revenue Agency asking for more information to determine whether they met the income eligibility criteria for their CERB payments. Qualtrough admitted the government could have done a better job communicating the benefit.
  • Dr. Evan Adams, deputy chief medical officer at Indigenous Services Canada, said on Wednesday that 50 per cent of First Nations communities in the country have experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, and that there have been 55 on-reserve fatalities. “We must do everything we can to protect Indigenous communities, particularly our elders, from COVID-19,” he said.
  • Globally, there have now been 73,953,702+ confirmed cases with 1,644,416+ deaths and 41,846,003+ recoveries.
  • Twitter Inc. said on Wednesday that it will start removing false or misleading tweets about COVID-19 vaccinations that could be harmful, including false claims the vaccines will intentionally cause harm or control populations or that invoke “a deliberate conspiracy.”

Dec. 15

  • If approved by Health Canada, as is expected soon, this country will receive up to 168,000 doses of the two-dose Moderna vaccine before the end of December, the prime minister said today. Justin Trudeau said deliveries are slated to begin within 48 hours of Health Canada’s authorization.
  • After receiving approximately 30,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week, Trudeau said the government expected another 200,000 doses next week, filling the bulk of what the company promised to deliver by the end of the year. Pfizer’s contract has promised the government 20 million doses, with an option for up to 76 million. The vaccine is to be available at 14 sites across the country. That will expand to 70 sites next week.
  • Jo-Anne Miner, a personal support worker at St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa long-term care home, was the first person in Ottawa vaccinated against COVID-19 at 8 a.m. Tuesday. About 100 more long-term care home staff will get the shot today at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic campus, and a total of 1,500 of them will get vaccinated in the coming weeks, according to a hospital news release.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 9,118 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 387, up one. Twenty-three people are in hospital, two in intensive care. There are 364 active cases and there have been 8,367 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 14 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 144,396 total cases of COVID-19, adding 2,275 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 20 to 3,992. There are 921 people in hospital, up 64, with 249 in intensive care, up 16, 156 on a ventilator, up seven. There are 711 new cases in Toronto, 586 in Peel, 185 in Windsor-Essex County and 154 in York Region. There are 1,810 more resolved cases for a total of 123,373 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 39,566 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,059,300. Some 45,770 tests are pending.
  • There are 134 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 695 residents with an infection and 761 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,491 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 913 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 20 schools are closed. So far, 4,594 students have been infected, 977 staff and 1,093 unattributed cases.
  • Hospitals across Ontario have been ordered to prepare to activate emergency plans immediately. For hospitals in the grey lockdown and red control zones, that means making available up to 15 per cent of their beds for COVID-19 patients. Matthew Anderson, CEO of Ontario Health, a provincial government agency, said in a memo that the pandemic has entered a more critical phase with community transmission now widespread. Anderson said the ability of hospitals to care for patients with and without COVID-19 is being challenged. The memo was sent to every hospital CEO in the province.
  • The Quebec government will begin a two-week shutdown of non-essential businesses, starting on Christmas Day, according to Radio-Canada. They will be shut down between Dec. 25, and Jan. 11, doing away with in-person Boxing Day shopping.
  • Quebec has now recorded 167,276 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,741  new cases today. The death toll is now 7,571 with 39 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 959, up 69, with 125 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 24,200 tests on Dec. 13 for a total of 4,369,504. The province administered 298 doses of vaccine Monday.
  • The Outaouais has seen 4,029 cases so far, up 34. The region’s death toll is 95, up two. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 14,653 active cases among students and 3,418 staff. There are 1,322 classes currently closed.
  • The Outaouais municipalities of Papineau and Vallée-de-la-Gatineau will enter the red zone later this week.
  • New Brunswick is reporting one new COVID-19 case today as the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrived. There are 47 active cases in the province.
  • The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine arrived Tuesday in Nova Scotia as the province reported six new cases of the virus. There are 57 active cases.
  • Manitoba has passed 500 deaths since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as the province announced nine new fatalities on Tuesday. The death toll is now 508. Manitoba also added 272 new cases, pushing the total to 21,535 since early March.
  • Seven more people died after testing positive for COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, along with 194 new cases.
  • Alberta reported 1,341 new cases of infection today along with 11 deaths. The province will send COVID-19 teams into the 11 hardest-hit neighbourhoods in Edmonton and Calgary to offer masks, hand sanitizer and more information, Premier Jason Kenney says. The program will also provide free hotel rooms to allow people in those areas to self-isolate if necessary, Kenney said at a news conference on Tuesday. The first Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines were to be administered to health-care professionals in Calgary and Edmonton at around 4 p.m. local time Tuesday, the premier’s office said.
  • British Columbia reported another 522 cases of COVID-19 and 21 more deaths. Tuesday’s update brings the total number of infections since the start of the pandemic to 43,463, and the death toll to 668.
  • Canada now has seen 475,183+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,660+ deaths from the infection and 381,277+ recoveries. There are 75,842 active cases.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency says it is introducing a simplified process to claim up to $400 in office expenses for Canadians working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process will allow employees to claim these expenses as deductions on their personal income tax return for the 2020 tax year. 
  • Globally, there have now been 73,253,728+ confirmed cases with 1,630,211+ deaths and 47,467,123+ recoveries.

Dec. 14

  • Ontario now has seen 142,121 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,940 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 23 to 3,972. There are 857 people in hospital, down 44, with 233 in intensive care, down nine, 149 on a ventilator, up seven. There are 544 new cases in Toronto, 390 in Peel, 191 in York Region, 134 in Hamilton and 114 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 1,535 more resolved cases for a total of 121,563 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 57,091 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 7,019,734. Some 32,045 tests are pending.
  • There are 137 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 659 residents with an infection and 737 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,490 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 889 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 18 schools are closed. So far, 4,330 students have been infected, 935 staff and 1,091 unattributed cases.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 9,105 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 386, up one. Twenty-three people are in hospital, two in intensive care. There are 388 active cases and there have been 8,331 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 14 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • A shipment of 3,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has arrived at the Ottawa Hospital. It will protect 1,500 people against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Each recipient must get two doses 21 days apart for full protection. 
  • Some 30,000 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines are in the country. The first injections were to take place today in two care homes in Quebec, Maimonides Geriatric Centre in Montreal and the Centre d’Hébergement Saint-Antoine in Quebec City and at the University Health Network centre in Toronto. The first person vaccinated in Canada was 89 year old Gisele Levesque in Quebec City. In Ontario Anita Quidangen, a personal support worker at the Rekai Centre care home in Toronto, was first. There were four more vaccinations today. The vials of vaccine will head to 14 points across the country today.
  • Alex Munter, the president and CEO of CHEO wants the health of young people to be made a priority as officials decide how to distribute COVID-19 vaccines across Canada. CBC has more.
  • Quebec has now recorded 165,535 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,620  new cases today. The death toll is now 7,533 with 25 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 890, up 10, with 122 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 30,487 tests on Dec. 12 for a total of 4,345,304. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,995 cases so far, up 23. The region’s death toll is 93, up one. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 13,956 active cases among students and 3,261 staff. There are 1,215 classes currently closed.
  • The Outaouais municipalities of Papineau and Vallée-de-la-Gatineau are being closely monitored by public health officials and may move into the provincial red zone if cases keep rising.
  • New Brunswick is reporting one new COVID-19 case. There are 59 active cases in the province.
  • Nova Scotia reported five new COVID-19 cases. There are 57 active cases.
  • Manitoba reported nine new deaths and 241 new cases. The province has now recorded 499 COVID-19-related deaths and 21,264 cases of the virus since March.
  • Two more people have died, Saskatchewan health officials reported. There are 269 new cases, 73 recoveries and 4,380 active cases.
  • Alberta confirmed 1,887 new cases of the disease — the most ever in a 24-hour period. Of 716 people in hospital with the disease, 136 were in ICUs. The province’s positivity rate sat at about eight per cent. There were 15 deaths.
  • British Columbia announced 2,146 new test-positive coronavirus cases since Friday, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 42,943. There were 698 cases reported from Friday to Saturday, 689 from Saturday to Sunday, and 759 from Sunday to Monday. There were also 49 more deaths over the weekend, bringing the death toll to 647.
  • Canada now has seen 468,860+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,554+ deaths from the infection and 376,546+ recoveries. There are 74,059 active cases.
  • Questions have been raised about provincial readiness for the vaccines. Reporters pressed Anita Anand (the minister of Public Services and Procurement) today about the pace of vaccine arrival. The federal government has promised 249,000 vaccines by the end of the year. But only 60,000 will be in the country by Christmas Day.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency says it has sent out 441,000 letters warning individuals that they may not be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefits they received.
  • Globally, there have now been 72,690,902+ confirmed cases with 1,619,389+ deaths and 47,467,123+ recoveries.
  • On the day Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were confirmed as president-elect and vice-president-elect by the Electoral College, the United States surpassed 300,000 deaths from COVID-19. The total is 300,456+ deaths and 16,425,955+ confirmed cases.
  • A new variant of COVID-19 has been identified in the UK. The UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, said Monday it was unclear whether the new variant had contributed to the surge in cases. Experts in the genetics of viruses said mutations can be expected and noted many had already been seen and had not significantly affected the spread or effects of the virus on people.

Dec. 13

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 70 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 9,057 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 385, up one. Twenty-four people are in hospital, two in intensive care. There are 388 active cases and there have been 8,284 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 15 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 140,181 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,677 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 16 to 3,949. There are 813 people in hospital, down 42, with 253 in intensive care, up 16, 142 on a ventilator, down one. There are 456 new cases in Toronto, 356 in Peel and 143 in York Region. There are 1,678 more resolved cases for a total of 120,028 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 58,190 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,962,643. Some 51,051 tests are pending.
  • There are 136 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 644 residents with an infection and 712 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,479 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 878 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 11 schools are closed. So far, 4,212 students have been infected, 915 staff and 1,090 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 163,915 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,994 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,508 with 33 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 880, up 20, with 123 in intensive care, down six. The province completed 38,320 tests on Dec. 11 for a total of 4,314,817. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,972 cases so far, up 26. The region’s death toll is 92. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 13,956 active cases among students and 3,261 staff. There are 1,215 classes currently closed.
  • New Brunswick is reporting two new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total of active cases to 65 in the province.
  • Nova Scotia reported six new COVID-19 cases on Sunday – bringing the number of active cases to 59.
  • Manitoba reported 273 new cases of infection along with seven more deaths.
  • Three more people have died, Saskatchewan health officials reported, along with 222 new cases.
  • Alberta is now operating under tough new restrictions that are aimed at quelling the surge of COVID-19 infection that is starting to overload the health care system in the province. The restrictions will last for four weeks. The province reported the largest number of COVID-19-related deaths announced in a 24-hour period Sunday since the pandemic began. There were a total of 22 deaths related to the virus, as well as 1,717 new cases.
  • Canada now has seen 460,743+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,431+ deaths from the infection and 373,253+ recoveries. There are 74,059 active cases.
  • The first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Canada on Sunday night, with more to follow on Monday, according to the military commander leading the national vaccine distribution effort, Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin.
  • Globally, there have now been 71,951,029+ confirmed cases with 1,609,044+ deaths and 47,018,133+ recoveries.
  • Legendary country superstar Charley Pride has died of complications caused by COVID-19. He joins the list of 298,847+ Americans who have died COVID-19. There have been 16,197,748+ cases so far in the United States. The numbers came today as the first batches of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were beginning their journey to the arms of Americans.

Dec. 12

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,987 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 384. Twenty-six people are in hospital, three in intensive care. There are 367 active cases and there have been 8,236 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 18 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 138,504 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,873 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 17 to 3,933. There are 855 people in hospital, up 47, with 237 in intensive care, up two, 143 on a ventilator, up 19. There are 522 new cases in Toronto, 436 in Peel, 185 in York Region and 109 in Hamilton. There are 1,918 more resolved cases for a total of 118,350 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 65,260 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,904,453. Some 67,654 tests are pending.
  • There are 128 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 585 residents with an infection and 648 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,469 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 878 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 11 schools are closed. So far, 4,212 students have been infected, 915 staff and 1,090 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 161,921 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,898 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,475 with 40 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 860, down 11, with 129 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 39,415 tests on Dec. 10 for a total of 4,276,497. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,946 cases so far, up 38. The region’s death toll rose by two to 92. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 13,956 active cases among students and 3,261 staff. There are 1,215 classes currently closed.
  • New Brunswick reported one new case on Friday.
  • Nova Scotia health officials reported seven new cases.
  • Manitoba reported 18 new deaths on Friday and 360 new COVID-19 cases.
  • Saskatchewan says 11 more people who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus have died. The province also reported 274 new cases.
  • Canada now has seen 453,228+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,337+ deaths from the infection and 359,406+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 71,465,660+ confirmed cases with 1,601,238+ deaths and 45,542,803+ recoveries.

Dec. 11

  • New federal forecasts say Canada remains on a “rapid growth trajectory,” with daily COVID-19 cases expected to cross the 10,000 mark later this month and if Canadians increase their contacts, that number could jump to 30,000 a day by early January. COVID-19 modelling projects Canada on track to see 577,000 cases of COVID-19, up to 14,920 deaths by Christmas The data shows infections continue to climb in many provinces, with rates rising precipitously in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and federal health officials are urging the provinces to more to curb the cases counts.
  • “Currently, there are over 73,200 active cases in Canada — up from 52,000 just three weeks ago. Despite over 440,000 cumulative cases, just over one per cent of the Canadian population has tested positive for COVID-19 to date,” Chief Medical Health Officer Doctor Theresa Tam said Friday.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 45 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,939 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 384, up one. Twenty-six people are in hospital, three in intensive care. There are 365 active cases and there have been 8,190 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 19 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is reporting 46 new cases of COVID-19. The Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health has 13 new cases on Friday. There are 17 new cases in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. Renfrew County is reporting 19 new cases of novel coronavirus. 
  • The Renfrew County and District Health Unit says there are 54 cases of COVID-19 in a Mennonite community consisting of 212 people. “This community is very closely knit and they have a lot of communal activity,” says Renfrew County’s Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Cushman. “So you can see what happens when COVID gets in there and into a community like this how rapidly it can spread.”
  • Ontario now has seen 136,631 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,848 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 45 to 3,916. There are 808 people in hospital, down 21, with 235 in intensive care, up seven, 124 on a ventilator. There are 469 new cases in Toronto, 386 in Peel, 205 in York Region and 106 in Windsor-Essex County.There are 1,753 more resolved cases for a total of 116,432 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 63,051 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,839,193. Some 69,280 tests are pending.
  • There are 131 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 604 residents with an infection and 632 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,460 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 878 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 11 schools are closed. So far, 4,212 students have been infected, 915 staff and 1,090 unattributed cases.
  • The province is putting Windsor Essex and York Region into lockdown starting Monday because of rising cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 160,023 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,713 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,435 with 53 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 871, up 23, with 123 in intensive care, up 10. The province completed 37,473 tests on Dec. 9 for a total of 4,237,082. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,908 cases so far, up 75. The region’s death toll rose by one to 90. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 13,956 active cases among students and 3,261 staff. There are 1,215 classes currently closed.
  • The area around Mont Tremblant will enter the red zone, the Quebec government says.
  • New Brunswick reported eight new cases on Friday along with one new death.
  • Nova Scotia health officials reported nine new cases on Friday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 65. The province is closing a poultry processing plant for at least two weeks because of an outbreak.
  • Manitoba reported 14 new deaths on Friday and 447 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases to 20,392.
  • Saskatchewan reported 246 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the province’s active case total to 4,547. A total of 387 cases were reported recovered.
  • Alberta reported 1,738 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and 18 additional deaths. The new cases bring the total active cases in the province to 20,161, dropping slightly for the third straight day. There were 684 people in hospital with the disease, including 123 in intensive care.
  • British Columbia reported 737 new cases on Friday along with 11 new deaths. The province’s death toll from the virus now stands at 598.
  • Canada now has seen 448,815+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,251+ deaths from the infection and 357,488+ recoveries.
  • The federal government has extended restrictions at the Canada-U.S. land border until Jan. 21.
  • Globally, there have now been 69,765,806+ confirmed cases with 1,585,221+ deaths and 45,020,900+ recoveries.
  • Sanofi and Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline said on Friday they will test their potential COVID-19 vaccine further after clinical trials showed an insufficient immune response in older people, delaying its potential launch until the end of next year.

Dec. 10

  • Ontario now has seen 134,783 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,983 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 35 to 3,871. There are 829 people in hospital, up 18, with 228 in intensive care, up seven, 129 on a ventilator, down three. There are 515 new cases in Peel, 496 in Toronto and 208 in York Region. There are 1,804 more resolved cases for a total of 114,679 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 61,809 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,776,142. Some 66,326 tests are pending.
  • There are 118 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 623 residents with an infection and 617 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,431 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 878 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 10 schools are closed. So far, 4,076 students have been infected, 893 staff and 1,089 unattributed cases.
  • Hudson Bay Company has gone to court challenging Ontario restrictions that have closed non-essential retailers.
  • Toronto teachers and education workers want the province to shut down all Toronto schools for in-person learning to prevent a Christmas surge in cases. The letter, written by the OSSTF Toronto Teachers Bargaining Unit and addressed from all Toronto teachers, also calls on the province to extend its program of funding asymptomatic testing in schools on a regular basis. 
  • Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the province will bolster its COVID-19 safety programming when all children return to school after the winter break. It will ensure students receive a refresher on pandemic safety measures after the pause in class, he said.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 31 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,894 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 383, up one. Thirty people are in hospital, two in intensive care. There are 354 active cases and there have been 8,157 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 20 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Ontario will administer its first COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday in Toronto and Ottawa. The Ottawa Hospital will administer 3,000 doses. The first vaccines will go to health-care workers at long-term care homes and other high-risk places, Premier Doug Ford said in a news release. More details Friday.
  • Following four COVID-19 outbreaks and more than 50 deaths at Madonna Care Community in Ottawa, new inspection reports from Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care point to several serious violations at the home since April, CBC reports.
  • The medical officer of health for Kingston is asking anyone who attended a house party near Queen’s University on Dec. 4 and 5 to self-isolate after discovering two guests were contagious with COVID-19.
  • Restaurants and bars in Ontario can continue selling alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders as the provincial government has made it permanent.
  • New modelling in the province suggests that the rise of new cases of COVID-19 is continuing to grow although it appears to be starting to flatten. The reproduction number is hovering at one. At that rate case counts will continue at about 2,000 daily, but could rise to 4,000 a day if test positivity rises. However the number of deaths is continuing to increase, especially in long term care homes where more than 100 deaths were recorded in the past seven days.
  • Quebec has now recorded 158,310 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,842 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,382 with 33 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 848, up four, with 113 in intensive care. The province completed 35,950 tests on Dec. 8 for a total of 4,199,609. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,833 cases so far, up 27. The region’s death toll rose by one to 89. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 13,338 active cases among students and 3,110 staff. There are 1,197 classes currently closed.
  • An interim report by Quebec’s ombudsman, based on 1,355 witness statements from CHSLD residents and their family members, CHSLD employees, health authority managers and caregivers, concludes provincially run long-term care facilities were a “blind spot” for the government in the planning for combatting the first wave of the pandemic.
  • Atlantic update: Nova Scotia reports four new cases and 11 more recoveries. New Brunswick too reported four new cases. Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new case.
  • Manitoba reported 293 new cases and 13 deaths.
  • Saskatchewan reported four more COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, along with 324 new cases.
  • Alberta reported 1,566 new cases and had a total of 20,163 active cases, down 36 from the day before. Across the province, 682 people were in hospital, 124 in intensive care. Another 13 deaths were reported to the province, bringing the total to 666.
  • British Columbia reported 28 new deaths and 723 new confirmed cases on Thursday. There have been 40,060 cases of COVID-19 in B.C. overall, and 587 deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 442,071+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 13,109+ deaths from the infection and 353,044+ recoveries.
  • Today’s first ministers’ meeting focussed more on surviving the pandemic instead of a long-term funding fix for health care. The premiers had asked for the meeting in September and wanted it focused exclusively on their unanimous demand for at least $28 billion a year more to the annual health transfer payment to provinces and territories. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after the meeting that he thinks the federal government should do more but not right now.
  • Starting Monday, federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Canada will accept permanent-resident applications from asylum-seekers who worked on the frontlines of the pandemic in long-term care homes and hospitals to honour their contributions in risking their lives to care for Canadians during the crisis.
  • Globally, there have now been 69,491,477+ confirmed cases with 1,580,104+ deaths and 44,801,104+ recoveries.
  • Medical experts advising the U.S .Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended emergency approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for the public in the U.K., Canada, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The drug still needs to be formally approved by the FDA’s vaccine chief, which is expected in the coming days.
  • This is good news on a day when the U.S. recorded more than 3,000 coronavirus deaths in one day for the first time. The U.S. has reported 15,582,840+ confirmed cases of infection along with 292,091+ deaths from the virus.

Dec. 9

  • On the eve of a first ministers’ meeting on health care, Health Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in people 16 years and older, starting the process of immunization against COVID-19. Canada expects to receive 249,000 doses by the end of the month, with the first shipment arriving by Dec. 15.
  • Meanwhile, British regulators warned people who have a history of serious allergic reactions shouldn’t receive the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as they investigate two adverse reactions that occurred on the first day of the country’s mass vaccination program.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 44 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,863 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 382, up one. Thirty-one people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 379 active cases and there have been 8,102 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 21 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 132,800 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,890 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 28 to 3,836. There are 811 people in hospital, up 17, with 221 in intensive care, up two, 129 on a ventilator, down three. There are 517 new cases in Toronto, 471 in Peel and 187 in York Region. There are 1,924 more resolved cases for a total of 112,875 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 48,546 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,714,333. Some 54,613 tests are pending.
  • There are 115 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 618 residents with an infection and 617 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,407 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 866 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 11 schools are closed. So far, 3,966 students have been infected, 865 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 156,468 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,728 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,349 with 37 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 844, up nine, with 121 in intensive care. The province completed 30,024  tests on Dec. 7 for a total of 4,163,659. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,806 cases so far, up 37. The region’s death toll rose by one to 88. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 13,338 active cases among students and 3,110 staff. There are 1,197 classes currently closed.
  • Atlantic update: Nova Scotia has six new cases, New Brunswick one, Newfoundland and Labrador one.
  • Nunavut is reporting nine new cases of COVID-19, all in Arviat. The Nunavut government said there are 48 active cases in the territory — all of which are in Arviat — and 181 recovered cases.
  • Manitoba reported 18 more deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday. There were also 280 new cases. The province said active cases are now at 5,348, with recoveries reaching 13,869.
  • Saskatchewan reported five deaths and 302 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the provincial total to date to 10,899 cases.
  • The province reported 1,460 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths. There are 20,199 active cases in Alberta, the first time in weeks active cases in the province has declined.
  • British Columbia reported 619 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the provincially recorded total to 39,337. The province also reported 16 more deaths from the virus.
  • Samples taken at a B.C. mink farm indicate some animals have novel coronavirus. Eight people at the farm in the Fraser Valley, which has not been publicly identified, have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Canada now has seen 435,510+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,983+ deaths from the infection and 349,459+ recoveries.
  • The Bank of Canada is holding its key lending rate at 0.25 per cent and says it will stay there until inflation is back to the two per cent target. They also restated their intention to buy at least $4 billion a week in Canadian government bonds until the recovery is “well underway.”
  • Globally, there have now been 68,762,897+ confirmed cases with 1,565,945+ deaths and 44,195,095+ recoveries.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that priorizes Americans for COVID-19 vaccines before the U.S. potentially begins helping other nations.
  • If necessary, Trump said, he is ready to invoke the Defence Production Act which allows a president to force private manufacturers to ramp up production and give the federal government priority on any orders it places.
  • Meanwhile the United States has seen 15,337,091+ confirmed cases and 288,022+ deaths, including two of Trump’s legal team challenging the election … Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis.

Dec. 8

  • Ontario now has seen 130,910 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,676 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 10 to 3,808. There are 794 people in hospital, up 69, with 219 in intensive care, up six, 132 on a ventilator, up 11. There are 588 new cases in Toronto, 349 in Peel and 141 in York Region. There are 1,549 more resolved cases for a total of 110,951 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 39,198 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,665,787. Some 40,732 tests are pending.
  • There are 116 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 673 residents with an infection and 611 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,396 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 853 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 11 schools are closed. So far, 3,813 students have been infected, 835 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 18 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,819 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 381. Thirty-two people are in hospital, two in intensive care. There are 381 active cases and there have been 8,057 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 20 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Pop-up testing sites held at two Ottawa schools turned up no additional cases of COVID-19, Ottawa Public Health says. Clinics will continue through December at schools in Ottawa, Toronto, York and Peel, which were chosen by the province for the pilot project because of their high rates of COVID-19. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • A research team at Carleton University is building synthetic proteins that are 75 per cent effective against COVID-19, and could one day be used to treat people who have contracted the virus. “Seventy-five per cent is very significant,” Ashkan Golshani, a Carleton University biology professor, told CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning on Monday.  
  • Quebec has now recorded 154,740 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 1,564 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,313 with 36 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 835, up 17, with 105 in intensive care. The province completed 27,000  tests on Dec. 6 for a total of 4,108,627. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,769 cases so far, up 18. The region’s death toll rose by one to 87. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 12,820 active cases among students and 2,969 staff. There are 1,084 classes currently closed.
  • At least 15 people who attended a weekend house party in the Outaouais community of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, east of Montebello, aimed at flouting COVID-19 restrictions will receive $1,000 fines, Quebec provincial police say.
  • Manitoba has extended COVID-19 restrictions until Jan. 8, Premier Brian Pallister said today. “They’re working,” said Pallister. “They are beginning to make a difference. You are beginning to make a difference and that is critical as we move forward.” The majority of health orders will remain unchanged but restrictions will be loosened for drive-in events such as church services. People will also be able to buy certain Christmas supplies and shop at thrift stores. Meanwhile the death count rose 13 Tuesday along with 245 more cases.
  • Saskatchewan reported six more deaths Tuesday, making it the deadliest day in the province since the start of the pandemic. Health officials reported 189 new infections in the province.
  • Alberta is making masks mandatory across the province, banning all social gatherings and closing restaurants, gyms and hair salons to curb the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions take effect Sunday. The new measures come as Alberta reported 1,727 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the active total across the province to 20,388. Nine more Albertans infected by the virus died, as the province’s death-toll due to COVID-19 reached 640.
  • British Columbia reported 566 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 38,718. The number of active cases has decreased by 65 to 9,315 in B.C. There are now a total of 352 people in hospital, 74 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units. There were 16 additional COVID-related deaths reported bringing the death toll to 543.
  • New Brunswick is reporting five new cases on Tuesday and four additional recoveries.
  • Nova Scotia reported seven new cases of COVID-19. With 19 more cases considered resolved, the number of active cases has dropped from 90 to 78.
  • Canada now has seen 426,738+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,842+ deaths from the infection and 346,346+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 68,046,467+ confirmed cases with 1,553,528+ deaths and 43,755,605+ recoveries.
  • The United Kingdom has become the world’s first nation to vaccinate citizens with a fully vetted and authorized COVID-19 shot. The first Briton to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 90 year old Margaret Keenan. Keenan, who turns 91 next week, said she felt “privileged” to be the first to get the shot. William Shakespeare, 81, known to friends as Bill, was the second.

Dec. 7

  • The prime minister announced today that about 249,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive in Canada before the end of December. The first shipment of the vaccine is expected this week along with Health Canada approval. The federal team inside the Public Health Agency of Canada is conducting a dry run of vaccine delivery today. Canada has purchased 76 million doses of vaccine from six different suppliers.
  • Vulnerable seniors, their caregivers, health-care workers, adults in Indigenous communities, residents of retirement homes, and recipients of chronic home health-care will be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario. Premier Doug Ford laid out his government’s three-part vaccination rollout plan on Monday. It may be April before the shots are widely available to others.
  • Retired Gen. Rick Hiller, who is leading Ontario’s vaccine task force, said the province will receive 2.4 million doses — allowing it to vaccinate 1.2 million people — during the first three months of 2021.
  • Quebec’s first COVID-19 vaccines will go to a group of 40,000 elderly residents of long-term care homes, authorities said Monday. They will be followed by 325,000 health professionals. Health Minister Christian Dubé said Quebec will receive 4,000 doses next week. Things should progress quickly from there with enough doses arriving in the first three months of 2021 to vaccinate 650,000 Quebecers by the end of March.
  • The province is training veterinarians, midwives, speech pathologists, dentists and medical students to help give the vaccines.
  • Alberta will receive a shipment of 3,900 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine next week. The province has said it will priorize frontline health-care workers and vulnerable people such as seniors in long-term care.
  • Meanwhile Donald Trump is about to sign an executive order designed to ensure that U.S. efforts to assist other countries in vaccinating their populations against COVID-19 take on a lower priority than domestic inoculations, a senior administration official told NBC News. The official said that the order will contain a framework for getting vaccines to foreign countries “once we’ve ensured we’ve met the needs of the American people.” The U.S. needs the vaccine having 14,923,247+ confirmed cases of COVID along with 283,568+ deaths. So far 9,139,901+ have recovered.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 38 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,801 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 381. Thirty-two people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 413 active cases and there have been 8,001 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 20 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 129,234 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,925 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 26 to 3,798. There are 725 people in hospital, up 24, with 213 in intensive care, up nine, 121 on a ventilator, up 12. There are 601 new cases in Toronto, 512 in Peel, 167 in York Region and 133 in Durham. There are 1,412 more resolved cases for a total of 109,402 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 45,283 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,626,589. Some 31,238 tests are pending.
  • There are 113 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 720 residents with an infection and 582 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,391 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 803 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; 10 schools are closed. So far, 3,531 students have been infected, 783 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Grieving families in Ontario often face “pressure tactics” and “misleading information” from funeral homes, according to the province’s auditor general, because of a lack of proper protections from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.
  • Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk also found Ontario has been slow to integrate virtual care services with its health-care system. The auditor found the Ontario Telemedicine Network, which offers remote care, and the Ministry of Health “do not have effective systems and procedures in place to offer virtual care services more long term in a cost-efficient manner to meet Ontarians’ needs.” The audit also found “numerous cases” where physicians had “significantly high” billings for virtual care, including one where a doctor billed $1.7 million for remote services in 2019-2020 and another $1.9 million for in-person services. That doctor reported seeing as many as 321 patients virtually in one day, the report said.
  • Ontario’s 770 retirement homes have an increasing number of residents who require a higher level of care that could more suitably be provided in a long-term care facility.
  • Quebec has now recorded 153,176 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 1,577 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,277 with 22 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 818, up 40, with 105 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 27,000  tests on Dec. 5 for a total of 4,108,627. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,751 cases so far, up 28. The region’s death toll rose by one to 86. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 11,928 active cases among students and 2,788 staff. There are 1,055 classes currently closed.
  • British Columbia reported 2,020 more cases of the novel coronavirus over the past three days. The provincial health officer also reported 35 deaths, 9,380 active cases and 349 hospitalizations, of which 77 patients are in intensive care.
  • Alberta confirmed an additional 1,735 cases of COVID-19 along with 16 more deaths.
  • “I will be blunt, so far, we are not bending the curve back down,” said the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. “We are still witnessing very high transmission of the virus, which is putting enormous transmission on our hospitals, intensive care units and health-care workers. It is also putting enormous strain on our continuing care facilities and many other sectors.”
  • Manitoba is reporting another 12 deaths and 325 new cases on Monday. The death toll stands at 407.
  • Saskatchewan reported one death along with 274 new cases and 59 new recoveries on Monday. There are 4,763 active cases to date, of 10,412 reported to date.
  • New Brunswick is reporting two new cases on Monday.
  • Prince Edward Island has reported four new cases today, 12 in the past seven days. There are now 14 active cases. Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King has announced that the province is entering a two-week “circuit-breaker” lockdown today.
  • Nunavut has reported three new cases today. There are 49 active cases in the territory.
  • A B.C. mink farm is under scrutiny after eight workers tested positive for COVID-19. So far there has been no order to euthanize any of the animals. Minks are known to be a host for the virus. Other outbreaks on minks farms have seen thousands of animals killed.
  • Canada now has seen 423,047+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,755+ deaths from the infection and 331,833+ recoveries.
  • One of the largest operators of Canadian seniors’ residences and long-term care homes is calling for provinces to adopt widespread surveillance testing as part of an internal review set to be released on Monday. The review for Revera was chaired by Dr. Bob Bell, former deputy health minister in Ontario and a former hospital CEO.
  • Globally, there have now been 67,516,683+ confirmed cases with 1,543,027+ deaths and 43,333,497+ recoveries.

Dec. 6

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 62 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,763 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by one to 380. Thirty people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 414 active cases and there have been 7,969 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 20 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and six in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 127,309 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,924 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 15 to 3,772. There are 701 people in hospital, down eight, with 204 in intensive care, up two, 109 on a ventilator. There are 568 new cases in Toronto, 477 in Peel and 249 in York Region. There are 1,574 more resolved cases for a total of 107,990 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 59,251 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,581,306. Some 47,850 tests are pending.
  • There are 111 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 686 residents with an infection and 568 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,378 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 776 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; eight schools are closed. So far, 3,425 students have been infected, 753 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 151,599 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 1,691 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,255 with 24 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 778, up 24, with 102 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 31,917 tests on Dec. 4 for a total of 4,081,627. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,723 cases so far, up 36. The region’s death toll is 85. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 11,928 active cases among students and 2,788 staff. There are 1,055 classes currently closed.
  • New Brunswick reports four new cases bringing the number of active cases to 82. Nova Scotia also reported four new cases bringing the total active cases to 88. In Newfoundland and Labrador, health officials reported four new cases as well, three of them men who recently returned to the province from Alberta. 
  • Nunavut reported 10 cases in Arviat over the weekend. The territory has 51 active cases, 46 in Arviat.
  • Manitoba reported 14 deaths and 383 new cases. Meanwhile dozens of vehicles packed a Steinbach-area church parking lot Sunday for a drive-in worship service, in spite of a public health order against such gatherings.
  • Four more Saskatchewan residents have died and there are 415 new cases, bringing the provincial total to date to 10,139 cases.
  • Alberta reported 19 coronavirus-related deaths and 1,836 new cases on Sunday.
  • Canada now has seen 412,929+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,642+ deaths from the infection and 327,932+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 66,698,498+ confirmed cases with 1,531,488+ deaths and 42,917,063+ recoveries.

Dec. 5

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,701 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll remains 379. Twenty-nine people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 384 active cases and there have been 7,938 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 22 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 125,385 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,859 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 20 to 3,757. There are 709 people in hospital, up 35, with 202 in intensive care, down five, 116 on a ventilator. There are 504 new cases in Toronto, 463 in Peel and 198 in York Region. There are 1,624 more resolved cases for a total of 106,416 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 59,399 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,522,055. Some 63,193 tests are pending.
  • There are 107 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 673 residents with an infection and 541 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,370 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 776 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; eight schools are closed. So far, 3,425 students have been infected, 753 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 149,908 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 2,031 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,231 with 48 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 754, down seven, with 96 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 35,391 tests on Dec. 3 for a total of 4,049,710. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,687 cases so far, up 47. The region’s death toll is 85, up two. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 11,928 active cases among students and 2,788 staff. There are 1,055 classes currently closed.
  • Manitoba reported its deadliest day so far with 19 new COVID-19 deaths and 354 new cases.
  • Canada is sending the military to help a remote First Nations community in Manitoba handle a COVID-19 outbreak, the Department of Defence confirmed on Saturday, after the chief of Shamattawa First Nation requested help. In a statement on Facebook, Chief Eric Redhead said Canada’s Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller had confirmed the army’s deployment to Shamattawa.
  • Saskatchewan reported 202 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the province’s active case total to 4,191. The government said Saturday’s case counts are much lower than anticipated because of a data error. The numbers will be corrected and updated on Sunday.
  • Alberta broke its one-day case record for the third time this week on Saturday as the province reported 1,879 new cases along with six new deaths.
  • Premier Jason Kenney called a Saturday protest organized by the group Walk For Freedom irresponsble on Twitter. “It’s irresponsible to gather in large numbers, especially at this point in the pandemic,” he wrote. “It shows a disregard for health care workers & the vulnerable. There are lots of ways to protest govt policies without risking viral spread.”
  • New Brunswick is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 – bringing the number of active cases to 98. Nova Scotia is reporting six new cases Saturday.
  • Canada now has seen 408,902+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,570+ deaths from the infection and 323,444+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 66,250,018+ confirmed cases with 1,524,994+ deaths and 42,545,795+ recoveries.

Dec. 4

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 45 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,653 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose one to 379. Thirty people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 383 active cases and there have been 7,859 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 22 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and nine in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 123,526 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,780 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 25 to 3,737. There are 674 people in hospital, up eight, with 207 in intensive care, up 12, 116 on a ventilator, up nine. There are 633 new cases in Toronto, 433 in Peel and 152 in York Region. There are 1,553 more resolved cases for a total of 104,792 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 56,001 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,462,656. Some 62,403 tests are pending.
  • There are 112 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 680 residents with an infection and 544 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,357 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 776 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; eight schools are closed. So far, 3,425 students have been infected, 753 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • The province announced a total of nine appointments to the Ontario Vaccine Task Force Friday: Chief Coroner Dr. Dirk Huyer; Ornge air ambulance service CEO, Dr. Homer Tien; former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders; Dr. Maxwell Smith, a bioethicist and assistant professor at Western University; Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases consultant and internist at Toronto General Hospital; Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald, of Taykwa Tagamou Nation; Linamar Corporation CEO Linda Hasenfratz, CHEO’s director of pharmacy, Dr. Régis Vaillancourt and TECHNATION CEO Angela Mondou.
  • The task force is chaired by former chief of the defence staff and retired general Rick Hillier, vice-chaired by Helen Angus, deputy minister of health and the commissioner of emergency management. She reports to Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
  • Hillier led “a successful tabletop exercise” Friday morning on the distribution of the first 100,000 vaccine doses, the province said, in a press release. The task force will come together for the first time at 1 p.m. to discuss priority populations for vaccination.
  • Quebec has now recorded 147,877 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 1,345 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,161, with 24 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 761, up 24, with 97 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 35,111 tests on Dec. 2 for a total of 4,014,319. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,640 cases so far, up 17. The region’s death toll is 83, up two. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 11,928 active cases among students and 2,788 staff. There are 1,055 classes currently closed.
  • New Brunswick has reported eight new cases of COVID-19 today. Nova Scotia has 15 new cases and has extended restrictions in the Halifax area until mid-December. Newfoundland and Labrador adds three new cases.
  • Arviat in Nunavut has reported eight more confirmed cases today.
  • Manitoba reports 320 new cases and nine new deaths as the provincial government extends current restrictions into January.
  • Saskatchewan has reported one death and 283 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  • Alberta reported Friday 1,828 new cases on 17,186 tests and 15 additional deaths. There are 18,243 active cases.
  • British Columbia reports another 711 cases of COVID-19 along with 11 deaths. As of Friday afternoon, there were 9,050 active cases in B.C. Of those, 338 people were in hospital with 76 in critical care. That marked the highest number of hospitalizations the province has seen so far in the pandemic.
  • Canada now has seen 402,569+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,496+ deaths from the infection and 320,096+ recoveries.
  • Canada reported 6,495 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, as infections surge across the country. “If we stay on the same trajectory, we could reach 10,000 cases daily by January,” Canada’s chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, warned Friday, slightly later that earlier predictions that said Canada would hit that landmark by mid-December.
  • Canada has exercised its option to purchase 20 million more doses of the Moderna vaccine. The news comes as Pfizer has confirmed it will be distributing half the amount of vaccines that it had originally proposed for 2020 due to supply chain issues. The pharmaceutical company will be delivering up to 50 million doses by the end of 2020 worldwide, down from the 100 million doses previously promised.
  • More details have been clarified about who gets vaccinated first: residents and staff in long term care, health care workers, individuals at home age 70 and up. Officials say they have the equipment needed to inoculate 20 million people starting at 14 identified sites across the province; two in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Quebec, one in each of the other provinces. This will rise eventually to about 250 sites. The expectation is that 40 million doses will arrive in Canada in 2021.
  • Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says an e-petition, sponsored by Tory MP Derek Sloan with more than 22,000 signatures, that raises questions about the safety of a future COVID-19 vaccine, is full of misinformation.
  • Eligible small business can apply to receive a further $20,000 in assistance from the Canada Emergency Business Account on top of the $40,000 already on offer.
  • Canada’s jobs recovery is slowing in the face of a second wave of the pandemic, Statistics Canada says. Employment rose by 62,000 (0.3 per cent) in November, following an increase of 84,000 (0.5 per cent) in October. From May to September, employment grew by an average of 2.7 per cent a month. The unemployment rate was 8.5 per cent in November, down 0.4 percentage points from a month earlier.
  • Walmart Canada is giving each of its more than 85,000 workers an “appreciation bonus payment” of $250 for full-time and $150 for part-time workers that is intended to recognize dedication during the pandemic.
  • The developers of Canada’s COVID Alert app fixed a glitch last week that left some users without exposure notifications for much of November. An update to the app released on Nov. 23 said it would fix a “bug causing gaps in exposure checks for some users.” Without the patch, some Canadians running the app would not have been notified if they came in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Globally, there have now been 65,686,172+ confirmed cases with 1,514,549+ deaths and 42,156,580+ recoveries.

Dec. 3

  • Public Health Agency of Canada officials said they would be conducting a dry run distribution of a vaccine on Monday in anticipation of the arrival of approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine “soon.” The federal team said a soft launch of distribution sites is expected Dec. 15. The man leading the operational side of distribution Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin said he believes every province is ready for immunization when it begins in earnest.
  • Canada’s deputy public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo said today authorities were planning for a total of six million doses of vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna Inc. to be administered in the first quarter of 2021. This is enough for three million of 38 million Canadians.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Liberal members Tuesday that priority would be given to first responders, workers in long-term care homes, the elderly and members of remote aboriginal communities.
  • Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, says the priority list of people who will get vaccinated first against COVID-19 has to be refined because the initial six million doses set to arrive in the first batch will not be enough to cover them all. Health Canada is in the final stages of reviewing the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The regulator anticipates decisions on approving both before the end of December.
  • Ontario now has seen 121,746 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,824 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 14 to 3,712. There are 666 people in hospital, up 10, with 195 in intensive care, up 12, 107 on a ventilator, up one. There are 592 new cases in Peel, 396 in Toronto and 187 in York Region. There are 1,541 more resolved cases for a total of 103,239 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 52,873 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,406,655. Some 58,320 tests are pending.
  • There are 116 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 707 residents with an infection and 553 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,342 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 755 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five schools are closed. So far, 3,330 students have been infected, 728 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases. Students at participating schools in Ontario COVID-19 hot spots will be able to get tested for the disease regardless of symptoms.
  • Ontario will introduce the members the provincial vaccine task force Friday.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 41 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,608 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 378. Twenty-five people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 371 active cases and there have been 7,859 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 21 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and eight in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • In October, Ottawa’s infection rate reached 132 active cases per 100,000 residents one of the highest in the country. After warnings and a four week long partial lockdown the rate has dropped to 29.5 per 100,000 residents. CBC explains.
  • Quebec has now recorded 146,532 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 1,470 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,155, with 30 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 737, down three, with 99 in intensive care. The province completed 34,136 tests on Dec. 1 for a total of 3,979,208. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,623 cases so far, up 29. The region’s death toll is 81. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 11,928 active cases among students and 2,788 staff. There are 1,055 classes currently closed.
  • Because of the high number of confirmed cases, Quebec Premier Francois Legault says there cannot be gatherings of 10 people from Dec. 24 to 27 as originally hoped. It will be a “quite Christmas now,” he said.
  • British Columbia reported 694 new cases of COVID-19, bringing BC’s active case count to 9,103. Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced 12 new deaths, marking the 10th straight day B.C. has seen more than 10 deaths attributed to the virus.
  • Nova Scotia reported 11 new cases of COVID-19; New Brunswick reported six.
  • Manitoba reported 368 new cases Thursday with 12 more deaths.
  • Saskatchewan has announced 259 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death.
  • Alberta reported a record 1,854 new cases of COVID-19 today, along with 14 deaths. Meanwhile, an internal Alberta government document shows the province has been planning for more than a week to set up indoor field hospitals to treat 750 COVID-19 patients, CBC reports. The Alberta Health Services (AHS) document, dated Nov. 28 and obtained by CBC News, details a draft implementation plan for two or more facilities, with 375 beds each in Calgary and Edmonton for patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms. Patients requiring intensive care would remain in city hospitals.
  • Nunavut has five new COVID-19 cases in Arviat, Nunavut, as of Thursday. The community’s active case count is 68, while the territory has 75 active cases in all.
  • Canada now has seen 393,722+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,380+ deaths from the infection and 312,863+ recoveries.
  • The Canadian dollar rose to 77.77 US, a two-year high against its U.S. counterpart on Thursday.
  • Globally, there have now been 64,918,435+ confirmed cases with 1,501,076+ deaths and 41,691,311+ recoveries.
  • The grim news from the United States keeps on darkening as the country recorded 3,157 deaths today. The country leads the world with 14,012,378 confirmed cases and 274,648+ deaths.
  • United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday decried countries – without naming names – who rejected the facts about the coronavirus pandemic and ignored guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dec. 2

  • Alberta has asked the federal government and the Red Cross to supply field hospitals to help offset the strain COVID-19 is having on the provincial health-care system, CBC News has learned. Alberta would likely receive at least four field hospitals — two from the Red Cross and another two from the federal government. There was no request for human resources to staff the hospitals and no request for support from the military. 
  • The province reported 1,685 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 10 more deaths. The total number of active cases in the province reached 17,144, an increase of 516 from the day before. A total of 561 people have now died from the disease since the start of the pandemic. The province has now surpassed 61,000 total cases, meaning about one in every 73 Albertans has so far contracted the disease.
  • Ontario now has seen 119,922 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,723 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 35 to 3,698. There are 656 people in hospital, up 11, with 183 in intensive care, down two, 106 on a ventilator, down six. There are 500 new cases in Peel, 410 in Toronto and 196 in York Region. There are 1,686 more resolved cases for a total of 101,698 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 44,226 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,353,782. Some 49,574 tests are pending.
  • There are 111 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 664 residents with an infection and 517 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,331 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 742 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; six schools are closed. So far, 3,234 students have been infected, 702 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases. Students at participating schools in Ontario COVID-19 hot spots will be able to get tested for the disease regardless of symptoms. The province announced Thursday that the asymptomatic testing will target specific schools within Toronto, Ottawa, Peel Region and York Region. The targets will be chosen by public health units with the advice of school boards.
  • Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said some hospitals in the hot zones are stressed by COVID cases, but she insisted the hospitals are not in crisis, as there appear to be in Alberta, she added. Alberta Health Services replied, saying the province has the ability to house more than one COVID-19 patient in a room safely, and despite Elliott’s comments, that doesn’t mean the province is in crisis.
  • Ontario is looking at field hospitals and other possible locations to house residents of long term care homes displaced by a COVID-19 outbreak. The Windsor-area has one up and running already.
  • A coalition of about 50 retailers, including Canadian Tire, The Bay and Indigo, is calling on the Ontario government to lift restrictions for non-essential stores. The retailers say shutting down Toronto and Peel Region has sent consumers into fewer, crowded stores and nearby communities. They recommend a 25 per cent capacity limit on non-essential stores in lockdown regions. Premier Doug Ford said the province would not be lifting the restrictions because of the need to limit visits to stores. “I know it’s not fair,” he said.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 46 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,567 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 378, up two. Twenty-three people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 362 active cases and there have been 7,827 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 21 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and five in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 145,062 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a record jump in cases with 1,514 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,125, with 43 new deaths reported. The number in hospital is 740, up 21, with 99 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 27,373 tests on Nov. 30 for a total of 3,945,072. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,594 cases so far, up 14. The region’s death toll is 81. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — are in the red alert zone. The area that includes including Maniwaki, which is part of the Outaouais could soon be declared a red zone, officials say, because of a recent spike in cases. This means restrictions such as: A ban on gatherings at private homes with visitors from different households, with exceptions for single people, caregivers and labour for already-planned work; Indoor dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited. Take-out and delivery services can continue; Libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres must close; Being less than two metres apart is prohibited. Masks will be mandatory during demonstrations; Houses of worship and venues for events like funerals and weddings will have a 25-person limit; Hair salons, hotels and other personal care businesses will stay open; All organized sports and recreational activities are suspended.
  • Schools will remain open in the Outaouais, however, all students in high schools must wear a mask at all times on school grounds, including while in classrooms. And some secondary students will go to school every other day. Across Quebec, there are 11,683 active cases among students and 2,747 staff. There are 1,078 classes currently closed.
  • Starting Friday, Quebec will limit the number of shoppers allowed in stores at any one time based on the size of the store. Distancing and mask wearing is mandatory and must be enforced otherwise fines of up to $6,000 may be levied. Boxing Day in particular will see police out in force watching for violations.
  • British Columbia reported 834 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 34,728 in the province. The number of active cases is 8,941. There were 12 new deaths for a total of 469.
  • Nova Scotia reported 17 new cases today. Newfoundland and Labrador reported one travel-related case. New Brunswick health officials reported six new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 119.
  • Nunavut reports 11 new cases. The territory has lifted its lockdown except for the community of Arviat, where the new cases occurred.
  • Manitoba reported 14 new deaths on Wednesday along with 277 new cases. Since the start of the pandemic, 342 people have died and the province has seen 17,384 cases since March.
  • Health officials said there were 238 new cases in Saskatchewan reported Wednesday, along with two new deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 388,707+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,313+ deaths from the infection and 303,441+ recoveries.
  • Top executives at CanSino Biologics — the Chinese company involved in a failed COVID-19 vaccine collaboration with Canada — were also part of  a Chinese government program designed to incentivize people to transfer research and knowledge to China in exchange for salaries, funding and other benefits. Global News has more.
  • The federal NDP is calling for the creation of a Crown corporation to deliver a domestic supply of vaccines.
  • The Toronto Raptors have released their 20-man roster for training camp in Tampa, Florida where they will play home games when the National Basketball Association season opens Dec. 22
  • Globally, there have now been 64,007,836+ confirmed cases with 1,483,401+ deaths and 41,170,820+ recoveries.
  • The United Kingdom’s health authorities have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use. The UK government expects immunization could begin next week. The vaccine awaits approval in Canada and the U.S. “The news that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been approved in the U.K. is encouraging. Health Canada’s review of this candidate is ongoing, and is expected to be completed soon,” federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu tweeted today.

For COVID-19 information from Sept. 23 to Dec. 1 please see capitalcurrent.ca/tracking-covid-19-sept-23/

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