• The prime minister said today that Canada will not agree to lifting a ban on non-essential travel with the United States until the coronavirus outbreak is significantly under control around the world.
  • The Liberal government is preparing legislation to begin implementing the fall economic statement. As such the measures could trigger a confidence vote and the toppling of the government. Justin Trudeau said his government did not want an election at this time.
  • Trudeau said Canada is guaranteed to receive some of the first doses of the vaccine produced by U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna, once approved by Health Canada.
  • Trudeau said a panel of experts and scientists are considering who gets the shot first. He said in a discussion with premiers “there was a … number of perspectives, but there seemed to be a consensus that we should all agree across the country on what that list looks like, and make sure that it is applied fairly right across the country.”
  • As a first ministers meeting on health care looms, Trudeau said the federal government is open to discussing an increase in the transfer.
  • He also noted that $8 of $10 spent on supporting Canadians through the pandemic has come from the federal government.
  • Ontario now has seen 118,199 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,707 additional infections today. The death toll rose by seven to 3,663. There are 645 people in hospital, up 27, with 185 in intensive care, up 17, 112 on a ventilator, up four. There are 727 new cases in Toronto, 373 in Peel and 168 in York Region. There are 1,373 more resolved cases for a total of 100,012 recoveries.
  • “The spread of COVID-19 has reached a critical point,” Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott tweeted Tuesday morning, after announcing the daily case total. “We need everyone to do their part and follow public health advice.” The province is seeing the cancellation or deferral of some surgeries or hospital procedures, especially in Peel and some parts of Toronto, because of the need for ICU beds among COVID-19 patients.
  • Ontario completed 34,640 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,309,556. Some 34,046 tests are pending.
  • There are 109 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 743 residents with an infection and 509 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,309 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 737 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four schools are closed. So far, 3,107 students have been infected, 677 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.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 34 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,521 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 376, up one. Twenty-four people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 351 active cases and there have been 7,794 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 three in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is turning to a nasal spray as its primary flu vaccine for residents between the ages of two and 59. 
  • Quebec has now recorded 143,548 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a jump in cases with 1,177 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,084, up 28. The number in hospital is 719, up 26, with 98 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 20,326 tests on Nov. 29 for a total of 3,917,699. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,580 cases so far, up 15. The region’s death toll rose by one to 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 11,030 active cases among students and 2,572 staff. There are 1,029 classes currently closed.
  • Premier Francois Legault says Quebec will determine who gets a vaccine first. He added that his province will be ready to start the immunization in January.
  • He said that a final decision on the four day period of Christmas gatherings will be made on Dec. 11. “Right now, the trend is not good,” he said.
  • Alberta reported 1,307 new COVID-19 as well as 10 deaths connected to the disease. Of the 16,628 Albertans diagnosed with the coronavirus, 479 are in hospital and 97 of them are in intensive care. A leaked report today suggested the provnce could see 775 Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19 by Dec. 14, with 161 in intensive care. Alberta has reported 59,484 cases and 551 deaths since the pandemic started. The provincial cabinet will decide what restrictions might be in place for the holidays on Dec. 15.
  • Manitoba reported a record 16 deaths and 283 new cases of COVID-19 today.
  • Saskatchewan said there were 181 new cases on Tuesday, with the overall total for the province growing to 8,745. There were four more deaths.
  • New Brunswick says a “superspreader” event in Saint John last month is responsible for 80 per cent of the current active cases of COVID-19 in that part of the province. Thirty-four people who attended have the respiratory disease, 26 more contracted the virus indirectly. New Brunswick reported seven new cases Tuesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 116.
  • Nova Scotia reported 10 new cases for a total of 142 active cases, along with an announcement that new mobile testing units that will begin moving around the province.
  • The Canadian Red Cross is helping the government of Nunavut manage its outbreak.
  • Canada now has seen 381,423+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,181+ deaths from the infection and 301,345+ recoveries.
  • Canada has ordered 126 freezers to capable of storing safely 33.5 million doses of vaccine.
  • A new poll suggests most Canadians aren’t currently worried that people in other countries might get a COVID-19 vaccine first. The survey shows 48 per cent say they are not concerned about getting a vaccine first and 10 per cent say they don’t care at all or are not planning to get vaccinated anyway. Thirty-seven per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies say they are very concerned that Canada may not receive doses of a new COVID vaccine as early as the United States.
  • Johnson & Johnson has submitted its COVID-19 vaccine candidate for Health Canada’s approval. It’s the fourth potential vaccine sent for assessment in Canada and the first that would require one dose to confer immunity instead of two. Health Canada has been examining vaccine candidates from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca since October, when those companies sent partial data on their drugs for what’s called a “rolling review.” The Canadian government says it has a deal to buy 10 million doses and an option on up to 28 million more.
  • Real gross domestic product grew 8.9 per cent in the third quarter, following an 11.3 per cent drop in the second quarter and a 1.9 per cent decline in the first, Statistics Canada says. Despite strong growth in the third quarter — the steepest since quarterly data were first recorded in 1961 — GDP was down 5.3 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Globally, there have now been 63,347,492+ confirmed cases with 1,470,456+ deaths and 40,624,563+ 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

Nov. 30

  • The federal government is promising a $100 billion stimulus investment, from three to four per cent of GDP, that will run for three years after the end of the pandemic, the finance minister announced Monday afternoon as she delivered her first economic update in the House of Commons.
  • More highlights: The government will also extend rent subsidy and lockdown wage supports until June 2021. The wage subsidy maximum will rise to 75 per cent from Dec. 20 to March 13, 2021. The fiscal update shows that since March, the federal government has spent more than $322 billion on direct aid measures to help fight COVID-19 and protect Canadians over the course of the pandemic so far. This includes more than $52 billion in support for co-ordinated federal, provincial and territorial measures.
  • The government will also establish a $1 billion fund to help the provinces help residents of long term care by upgrading the buildings.
  • Money will also be made available to small regional airlines, tourism businesses and the arts through low-interest loans of up to $1 million. Access to the loans will be available for 10 years.
  • The federal deficit will be $381 billion in 2020-21, $121 billion in 2021-22 and $51 billion in 2022-23.
  • Chrystia Freeland also promised to overhaul the fiscal stabilization fund that offers federal aid to provinces that see a drop in non-resource related revenues of more than five per cent compared to the year before, or more than a 50 per cent drop in resource revenues. The payments have been capped at $60 per person for more than three decades.
  • Homeowners will be able to retrofit their homes with grants of $5,000.
  • About $1.5 billion will be spent to end drinking water advisories on First Nations reserves.
  • The federal government will begin to build a national early education and childcare system. More details in the spring budget
  • Federal interest on student loans and apprenticeship programs will continue to be eliminated through to the end of 2021-22.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 29 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,487 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 375, up one. Twenty-four people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 344 active cases and there have been 7,768 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 three in schools and child-care centres. There are six other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 116,492 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,746 additional infections today. The death toll rose by eight to 3,656. There are 618 people in hospital, up 32, with 168 in intensive care, up 13, 108 on a ventilator, up nine. There are 622 new cases in Toronto, 390 in Peel and 217 in York Region. There are 1,320 more resolved cases for a total of 98,639 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 39,406 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,274,916. Some 27,388 tests are pending.
  • There are 109 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 710 residents with an infection and 483 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,303 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 670 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four schools are closed. So far, 2,855 students have been infected, 630 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 is setting aside another $380 million to support families with children. The funds can be used on such things as support for online learning or child care. $250 to each family with a disabled child, $200 to families with school-aged children.
  • Quebec has now recorded 142,371 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a jump in cases with 1,333 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,056, up 23. The number in hospital is 693, up 28, with 92 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 27,115 tests on Nov. 28 for a total of 3,870,258. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,565 cases so far, up 11. The region’s death toll remains at 80. 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 11,030 active cases among students and 2,572 staff. There are 1,029 classes currently closed.
  • Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced 1,733 coronavirus cases on Monday after provincial labs performed 20,499 tests in the last 24 hours. Alberta now has 16,454 active cases of the disease, including 7,388 in the Edmonton zone and 6,141 in the Calgary zone.
  • Over the weekend, 46 people died in British Columbia. Officials said there were 2,364 new cases. The province’s total is 33,238 with 8,855 of those cases considered active.
  • New Brunswick reported another six cases Monday. Newfoundland and Labrador added a case.
  • Nova Scotia reported 16 new cases Monday, bringing the province to 138 active cases. 
  • A two week territory-wide lockdown is to end in Nunavut on Wednesday when restrictions will ease up for all communities except for hard-hit Arviat, where four more cases have been reported bringing the total active cases in the community to 86.
  • Manitoba is reporting 343 new cases and 11 new deaths. The hospitals are crowded with 342 new patients.
  • Two more people from Saskatchewan have died after testing positive for COVID-19, the province reported Monday. There are 325 new cases.
  • Canada now has seen 378,139+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,130+ deaths from the infection and 299,972+ recoveries.
  • Moderna is seeking emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and from several European agencies. Health Canada is also reviewing the data from the stage three trial of the MRNA vaccine.
  • COVID consequences: According to Royal LePage, year-over-year price appreciation in Canada’s recreational property markets soared during the first nine months of 2020, driven by Canadians’ ability to work remotely. The aggregate price of a single-family home in Canada’s recreational market rose 11.5 per cent to $453,046 and the aggregate price of a condominium rose 9.7 per cent to $280,830. The aggregate price of a waterfront property increased 13.5 per cent to $498,111.
  • Globally, there have now been 63,189,103+ confirmed cases with 1,466,762+ deaths and 40,476,138+ recoveries.

Nov. 29

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 79 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,458 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 374, up two. Twenty-two people are in hospital, one in intensive care. There are 343 active cases and there have been 7,741 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 three in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario now has seen 114,746 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,708 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 24 to 3,648. There are 586 people in hospital, down nine, with 155 in intensive care, 99 on a ventilator. There are 503 new cases in Peel, 463 in Toronto, 185 in York Region and 79 in Ottawa. There are 1,443 more resolved cases for a total of 97,319 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 53,959 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,235,510. Some 38,724 tests are pending.
  • There are 109 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 598 residents with an infection and 473 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,301 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 671 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; six schools are closed. So far, 2,769 students have been infected, 614 staff and 1,087 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.
  • Quebec has now recorded 141,643 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a jump in cases with 1,395 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,033, up 12. The number in hospital is 665, down 13, with 92 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 24,450 tests on Nov. 27 for a total of 3,870,258. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,554 cases so far, up 30. The region’s death toll remains at 80. 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 10,818 active cases among students and 2,515 staff. There are 1063 classes currently closed.
  • Another 11 Manitobans have died from COVID-19, according to provincial health officials. The province also reported 365 new cases of the disease.
  • Alberta announced another 1,608 cases Sunday and reported nine deaths, all of whom were seniors. There are now 15,692 active cases in the province, mainly in the two largest metro centres, with 7,230 or 46 per cent of active cases in Edmonton zone and 5,756 or 36 per cent of all active cases in Calgary zone.
  • Saskatchewan reported 351 new cases on Sunday, bringing the provincial caseload to 8,239.
  • For the next 30 days, members of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4 CRPG) will be responsible for assisting the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation in northern Saskatchewan. The Rangers will provide support to the community in the production and distribution of real-life-support such as food, firewood and care packages, says the Department of National Defence.
  • New Brunswick reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, which brings the total number of active cases in the province to 119.
  • Nova Scotia reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 and 125 active cases in its daily update Sunday.
  • Canada now has seen 368,319+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 12,023+ deaths from the infection and 293,503+ recoveries.
  • A new Ipsos poll suggests there is a growing number of Canadians who are against forcing people to take a COVID-19 vaccine – if they don’t want to. Global News has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 62,531,000+ confirmed cases with 1,456,794+ deaths and 39,989,784+ recoveries.

Nov. 28

  • Ontario now has seen 113,038 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,822 additional infections today. The death toll rose by 29 to 3,624. There are 595 people in hospital, up 54, with 155 in intensive care, up four, 99 on a ventilator, down two. There are 566 new cases in Toronto, 516 in Peel, 145 in York Region, 105 in Waterloo and 102 in Hamilton. There are 1,510 more resolved cases for a total of 95,876 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 55,086 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,181,551. Some 56,219 tests are pending.
  • There are 105 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 545 residents with an infection and 441 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,294 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 671 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; six schools are closed. So far, 2,769 students have been infected, 614 staff and 1,087 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.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 46 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,379 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll is 372. Twenty people are in hospital, three in intensive care. There are 309 active cases and there have been 7,698 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 five in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa-based Shopify says sales on its platform jumped significantly on Black Friday 2020 compared to the year before. The e-commerce company says it saw $2.4 billion USD worth of sales globally on Nov. 27, 2020 — a 75 per cent increase over 2019 figures, the company says.
  • Quebec has now recorded 139,643 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a jump in cases with 1,480 new cases today. The death toll is now 7,021, up 37. The number in hospital is 678, up nine, with 93 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 29,652 tests on Nov. 26 for a total of 3,845,808. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,524 cases so far, up 33. The region’s death toll rose by one to 80. 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 10,818 active cases among students and 2,515 staff. There are 1063 classes currently closed.
  • A heated centre for homeless people is opening inside the Bob Guertin Arena in Gatineau next week. 
  • A Winnipeg boy under the age of 10 has become the youngest person in Manitoba to die from COVID-19. The province also announced 487 new cases of the illness, its third-highest single-day increase. Of the nine other deaths announced Saturday, five are linked to known outbreaks in Manitoba.
  • Saskatchewan reported 197 new cases on Saturday, along with one death.
  • New Brunswick announced four new cases Saturday. There are now 111 active cases.
  • Nova Scotia reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the province’s total active cases to 125.
  • There are two new confirmed cases in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Nunavut reported five more cases in Arviat on Saturday, pushing the total number of active cases in the territory’s hardest-hit community to 106. In all, the territory has 131 cases.
  • Canada now has seen 359,067+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,894+ deaths from the infection and 286,504+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, says the most recent infection rates are keeping the country on track to hit 10,000 new cases a day by mid-December.
  • Globally, there have now been 61,802,576+ confirmed cases with 1,445,666+ deaths and 39,588,630+ recoveries.

Nov. 27

  • The prime minister announced the establishment of a vaccine distribution centre in the Public Health Agency of Canada with the assistance of the Canadian Forces. Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the former head of the NATO mission in Iraq will lead the logistics operation. Justin Trudeau said the national operations centre will oversee the “biggest” immunization in Canadian history.
  • Trudeau also said that if all goes well most Canadians could be vaccinated by next September.
  • Retired general Rick Hillier, who is leading the Ontario vaccine effort, had high praise for Fortin calling him “an incredible leader” in a media conference Friday afternoon.
  • Ontario reported 111,216 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,855 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 20 to 3,595. There are 541 people in hospital, down 13, with 151 in intensive care, 101 on a ventilator, down four. There are 517 new cases in Peel, 494 in Toronto, 189 in York Region and 130 in Halton. Ottawa reported 55 new cases. There are 1,451 more resolved cases for a total of 94,366 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 58,037 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,126,465. Some 54,241 tests are pending.
  • There are 106 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 516 residents with an infection and 422 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,283 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 671 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; six schools are closed. So far, 2,769 students have been infected, 614 staff and 1,087 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 says it will be ready to distribute vaccines on Dec. 31. The premier expressed some impatience with the lack of clarity on the timing of the delivery of vaccines. “The clock is ticking and we can’t be last in line,” Doug Ford said.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 55 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,333 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by one to 373. Twenty-one people are in hospital. Three is in intensive care. There are 293 active cases and there have been 7,667 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 seven in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 138,163 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a jump in cases with 1,269 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,984, up 38. The number of people in hospital is 669, down six, with 90 in intensive care. The province completed 32,266 tests on Nov. 25 for a total of 3,816,156. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,491 cases so far, up 36. The region’s death toll rose by one to 79. 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 10,818 active cases among students and 2,515 staff. There are 1063 classes currently closed.
  • Western Quebec’s top health official says it’s imperative to limit outbreaks at retirement homes. As of Wednesday, the Outaouais reported 947 new cases of COVID-19 in November, compared to 946 confirmed cases for the same period in Ottawa, a jurisdiction with more than double the population. The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais, said seven retirement homes have outbreaks. CBC has more.
  • The Quebec government has not released for use about 1.2 million ID NOW tests and PANBIO antigenic tests for COVID-19 that have been sent to it starting Oct. 30. In all the federal government has distributed 5.2 million rapid tests with more to come.
  • Nunavut reported four new cases on Friday all in the community of Arviat.
  • Manitoba announced 14 more people have died of COVID-19 along with 344 new cases of infection. The death toll is now 280.
  • Alberta reported 1,227 new cases Friday along with nine more deaths bringing the province’s overall toll to 519, with 46 deaths coming in the past week. About 700 more peace officers will be given authority to enforce public-health orders, including a ban on all indoor social gatherings. Fines will be as low as $1,000 and as high as $100,000.
  • The bleak COVID-19 numbers in Saskatchewan continue to rise with four more deaths and 329 new confirmed cases reported Friday.
  • British Columbia announced a record 911 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 30,884. There were also 11 more deaths in the past 24 hours as well, bringing the provincial death toll to 395.
  • Nova Scotia reported nine new cases Friday.
  • New Brunswick reported 12 new cases on Friday, for the second day in a row.
  • Canada now has seen 356,228+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,857+ deaths from the infection and 282,380+ recoveries.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is sending $542 million to Indigenous groups to help them set up welfare services for children and families. The Canadian government has been promising to transfer control over child and family services to Indigenous governing bodies so they don’t need to rely on outsiders to protect children in First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities.
  • COVID consequences: Two giant pandas from the Calgary Zoo, Er Shun and Da Mao, are headed home to China three years early because of problems with the supply of bamboo, their main food.
  • A 30-year-old man has been arrested for assault and mischief after attacking an employee at a Walmart in Dawson Creek, BC. The employee had asked the man to wear a mask in the store.
  • Globally, there have now been 61,116,796+ confirmed cases with 1,434,725+ deaths and 39,179,530+ recoveries.

Nov. 26

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 24 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,278 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll remains at 372. Twenty-three people are in hospital. Three is in intensive care. There are 259 active cases and there have been 7,647 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 seven in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • The outbreak at the Extendicare West End Villa long term care home over. According to Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard, 87 residents and 45 staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Twenty residents died. The deadly Starwood outbreak which has seen 180 total cases (134 residents, 46 staff and 21 resident deaths) is ongoing.
  • Ottawa’s medical officer of health wants residents to suspend their normal holiday routines this year, and that includes travelling to other cities, such as Toronto and Montreal, to see friends and family.
  • Ontario reports 109,361 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,478 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 21 to 3,575. There are 556 people in hospital, up 33, with 151 in intensive care, down eight, 105 on a ventilator, down one. There are 572 new cases in Peel, 356 in Toronto and 111 in York Region. There are 1,365 more resolved cases for a total of 92,915 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 47,576 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,068,428. Some 52,852 tests are pending.
  • There are 108 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 543 residents with an infection and 429 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,270 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 679 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four schools are closed. So far, 2,673 students have been infected, 589 staff and 1,087 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.
  • New projections released this afternoon by the province show that intensive care beds will be at 200 in December. This is above the threshold that would see some elective surgeries cancelled. The pandemic curve seems to be flattening in parts of the province. But in other areas, such as Peel Region and Toronto, case numbers are rising. Peel Region has a test positivity rate of 10.4 per cent, the highest in the province.
  • Meanwhile deaths are rising as are hospitalizations, up 63 per cent. If the case count curve stays flat, Ontario would see about 1,450 to 1,500 cases daily through December, but if the guard is relaxed, cases could hit 9,000 a day. At present, case numbers are rising at about one per cent a day.
  • Previous modelling, released two weeks ago,  showed Ontario could see as many as 6,500 new daily cases of COVID-19 by mid-December unless steps were taken to limit the spread of the virus.
  • The owner of Adamson Barbecue in Etobicoke was led away in handcuffs by police officers on Thursday, after a third day of defying Ontario’s public health restrictions on restaurants. Adam Skelly is already facing nine charges for bylaw violations related to the the province’s COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Quebec has now recorded 136,894 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported a jump in cases with 1,464  new cases today. The death toll is now 6,947, up 32. The number of people in hospital is 675, up 20, with 90 in intensive care, down three. The province completed 33,023 tests on Nov. 24 for a total of 3,783,890. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,455 cases so far, up 29. The region’s death toll rose by two 78. 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 10,818 active cases among students and 2,515 staff. There are 1,063 classes currently closed.
  • British Columbia added 887 cases of COVID-19 to its total on Thursday, setting a new daily record for the province. Health officials also announced 13 deaths. The province has now seen 29,973 cases and 384 deaths since the pandemic began.
  • Health officials in Manitoba announced 383 new cases and 10 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the province’s death toll to 266.
  • New Brunswick is leaving the Atlantic Bubble because of rising cases. The province reported 12 new cases on Thursday. There are 105 known active cases in the province. Nova Scotia reported 12 new cases and Newfoundland and Labrador added two new cases.
  • The federal government is giving $19.3 million to Nunavut for pandemic relief. The territory has 150 active cases. No new cases were reported Thursday.
  • There were three deaths and 299 new cases reported by Saskatchewan Thursday.
  • Alberta reported 1,077 new cases today with 10 deaths. The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, also spoke about the leak of private conversations to the CBC that reveal the influence of the government on public health matters. She called the leak a personal betrayal and then said that politicians must have the final say in decisions affecting the province because they have been elected.
  • Canada now has seen 351,133+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,776+ deaths from the infection and 280,005+ recoveries.
  • The first COVID-19 vaccine approval from Health Canada could come before Christmas, the department’s chief medical adviser announced on Thursday. Dr. Supriya Sharma said that the review of Pfizer’s vaccine candidate — one of three currently being assessed for safety by Health Canada — is the most advanced, and the agency is expecting to approve it for use in Canada along the same pre-Christmas timeline as the American and European health agencies.
  • Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo said that “the initial supply of these vaccines will be limited.” Canada has secured access to 20 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, but just four million are expected here by the end of March. Dr. Njoo said that while there will be early prioritization of who gets vaccinated based on the limited initial supply, Canada will have enough doses to “provide access to every Canadian who wants one in 2021.”
  • Expansion of a National Research Council facility in Montreal that could be making one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates has been delayed by months, the National Post reports.
  • Hockey Canada has temporarily shut down national junior team selection camp following the confirmation of two positive COVID-19 tests among players.
  • Globally, there have now been 60,818,781+ confirmed cases with 1,428,951+ deaths and 38,926,641+ recoveries.
  • AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford are defending the results and methods used in their phase three vaccine trials, stressing the “highest standards” were used and that “additional analysis will be conducted.” AstraZeneca says it is likely going to conduct a new trial because of questions about the first trial.

Nov. 25

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 23 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,254 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by four to 372. Twenty-two people are in hospital. One is in intensive care. There are 287 active cases and there have been 7,595 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 eight in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks.
  • Ontario reports 107,883 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,373 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 35 to 3,554. There are 523 people in hospital, down 11, with 159 in intensive care, 106 on a ventilator, up 15. There are 445 new cases in Toronto, 415 in Peel, 136 in York Region. and 23 in Ottawa. There are 1,476 more resolved cases for a total of 91,550 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 36,076 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 6,020,852. Some 44,950 tests are pending.
  • There are 104 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 542 residents with an infection and 453 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,256 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 688 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four schools are closed. So far, 2,609 students have been infected, 573 staff and 1,087 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was hampered by poor emergency preparedness, inadequate lab capacity and a disorganized public health system, according to a report issued Wednesday by the province’s auditor general. In a special report on COVID-19, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk raises concerns that flaws in Ontario’s communication, decision-making and management of positive cases contributed to a wider spread of the virus during the eight months since the pandemic was declared. CBC has more.
  • Health Minister Christine Elliott rebuffed the report’s main claims as a mischaracterization, called Ontario a leader in pandemic response and said that the Ford government acted quickly and decisively to confront the public health emergency.
  • Premier Doug Ford delivered an angry rebuttal to the report during an afternoon media briefing. “I can’t stand for this and I won’t stand for this,” he said. Ford defended the province’s chief medical officer of health from criticism about his role.
  • Ford also took furious aim at a Toronto-area restaurant remaining open for indoor dining, calling it irresponsible.
  • The Ontario government says the holiday season will be different this year. The province is recommending all Ontarians to celebrate in person with the household. Single people can pair with another household. Parties and other get-togethers should be virtual only.
  • Quebec has now recorded 135,430 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,110 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,915, up 28. The number of people in hospital remained at 655 with 93 in intensive care. The province completed 24,067 tests on Nov. 23 for a total of 3,750,867. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,426 cases so far, up 27. The region’s death toll remains 76. 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 10,434 active cases among students and 2,445 staff. There are 1,139 classes currently closed.
  • In British Columbia there were 738 new cases of COVID-19 reported on Wednesday and 13 new deaths. Officials revised daily case totals from Nov. 16 to Nov. 24, owing to data reporting errors in the Fraser Health region. The correction saw total case numbers increase on several days, but also saw Tuesday’s record-breaking 941 new cases revised down to 706.
  • In Alberta, there were nine more deaths and 1,265 new cases and a total of 13,719 active cases. There have now been 50,081 cases of the respiratory illness in Alberta since the pandemic began in March.
  • No wonder a state of local emergency has been declared by the City of Calgary. The move allows the city to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially around procuring resources.
  • Eight more Manitobans have died of COVID-19 as the province also reported 349 new cases and encouraged residents to plan for a household-only holiday season this year.
  • Saskatchewan is suspending sports and expanding its mandatory mask mandate because of the province’s rising COVID-19 caseload. The province reported 164 new infections, leaving it with more cases per capita than any other Canadian jurisdiction after Manitoba, Alberta and Nunavut.
  • Nunavut reported 11 new cases on Wednesday, leaving the territory with 153 active cases.
  • Prince Edward Island reported one new case today.
  • Nova Scotia is reporting 16 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 102.
  • New Brunswick reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases to 96.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new case Wednesday.
  • Canada now has seen 345,282+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,689+ deaths from the infection and 275,794+ recoveries.
  • The head of a Canadian biotech industry association says Canada can and does make vaccines — just not the ones expected first to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Press has more.
  • COVID consequences: A new national survey by Women’s Shelters Canada says 52 per cent of 266 participating shelters reported seeing clients who were experiencing either somewhat or much more severe violence, as public health measures aimed at fighting COVID-19 increase social isolation, while job losses fuel tension over financial insecurity in many households.
  • Globally, there have now been 59,961,235+ confirmed cases with 1,412,669+ deaths and 38,390,367+ recoveries.

Nov. 24

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 19 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,231 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by one to 368. Twenty-nine people are in hospital. Two are in intensive care. There are 323 active cases and there have been 7,540 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 three other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Public Health released figures Tuesday that show disproportionate numbers of COVID-19 infections among the city’s non-white communities, especially among those who identify as Black. Among the findings: Non-whites make up 29 per cent of Ottawa’s population, but accounted for 63 per cent of identified COVID-19 cases until the end of August; women are more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 than men across all groups; younger people (under 30) are more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ottawa if they are not white and racialized people diagnosed with COVID-19 are three times as likely to work in health care as those diagnosed who are white. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • Ontario says that “due to technical issues, instead of cases up until 12:00 p.m. on Nov. 22, yesterday’s report contained cases reported in CCM up until 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, resulting in an overestimate of the daily counts of 1,589 yesterday, and an underestimate of the daily counts today.” With that caveat, the province reports 106,510 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,009 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 14 to 3,519. There are 534 people in hospital, up 27, with 159 in intensive care, up three, 91 on a ventilator, down one. There are 497 new cases in Toronto, 175 in Peel, 118 in York Region and 19 in Ottawa. There are 1,082 more resolved cases for a total of 90,074 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 27,053 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,984,776. Some 29,316 tests are pending.
  • There are 102 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 534 residents with an infection and 451 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,234 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 703 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four schools are closed. So far, 2,516 students have been infected, 568 staff and 1,086 unattributed cases.
  • Premier Doug Ford said the province has received 98,000 ID NOW rapid COVID-19 tests and 1.2 million Panbio rapid antigen tests, which are being distributed to hospitals, assessment centres, long-term care facilities and other workplaces.
  • COVID confusion: An Etobicoke restaurant that flouted provincial orders by offering indoor dining to customers amid a lockdown in Toronto has been ordered to close indefinitely by the city’s medical officer of health. The premier was asked about the situation earlier in the day but offered only tepid criticism over the business’s decision to ignore lockdown rules. “I can’t get angry at any businessperson. They are hurting right now and they are struggling and they are doing everything they can to stay afloat. But you know if we let everyone open, we are going to be in worse shape,” he said during a news conference. “They have to follow the rules. There can’t be rules for one group and not the other and I just wish that they’d just follow the rules.” CTV has more.
  • Quebec has now recorded 134,330 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,124 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,887, up 45. The number of people in hospital rose 21 to 655 with 96 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 20,400 tests on Nov. 22 for a total of 3,726,800. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,399 cases so far, up 64. The region’s death toll rose by five to 76. 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 9,829 active cases among students and 2,337 staff. There are 1,242 classes currently closed.
  • CBC reports that 33 Outaouais residents have died from COVID-19 in November alone, nearing Ottawa’s 38, despite having a third of its population. Known active cases and hospitalizations are also eclipsing Ottawa totals.
  • Premier Francois Legault now says Quebecers can only take part in two gatherings within a four-day span between Dec. 24-27.
  • Police are investigating an anti-mask dance in a shopping mall 30 minutes north of Montreal over the weekend and have begun to issue violations.
  • The Alberta government has avoided a lockdown and instead has banned indoor private gatherings, introduced new restrictions on businesses and will be moving older students to in-person learning as part of sweeping new COVID-19 measures. Declaring a state of public health emergency, Premier Jason Kenney said Tuesday the new mandatory measures are tough but necessary as Alberta reported 1,115 new cases, 16 additional deaths and more active cases than any other province.
  • On a day when new pandemic restrictions were imposed, Alberta is forecasting a deficit of $21.3 billion at the end of the fiscal year, an improvement over the $24.2-billion deficit reported at the end of the first quarter. The change is due to increased revenues of nearly $3 billion from the projections in the last quarter. Real GDP is expected to contract by 8.1 per cent in 2020, not the 8.8 per cent forecast in Q1.The update forecasts real GDP growth to hit 4.4 per cent in 2021.
  • British Columbia announced another 941 cases on Tuesday, along with 10 more deaths. The cae count shattered the province’s previous record for daily infections. The government also announced that violating the new provincial mask mandate can result in a $230 fine and limited gatherings to the household.
  • Twelve more Manitobans with COVID-19 have died and 476 new cases were identified Tuesday according to the province’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin. At a morning news conference, Premier Brian Pallister said 95 tickets were issued last week to people violating current public health orders, as the province ramps up enforcement.
  • Saskatchewan has announced 175 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
  • New Brunswick reported six new cases on Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases to 94.
  • Nova Scotia health officials reported 37 new cases Tuesday, the largest single-day increase since April 23. There are 87 active cases. “If that isn’t enough of a concern, I don’t know what is,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a provincial update on Tuesday. Public Health announced new COVID-19 measures on Tuesday and asked Nova Scotians to limit travel to the Halifax Regional Municipality. All restaurants and bars are closing to in-person dining as of Wednesday, but takeout and delivery can continue, McNeil said. The public gathering limit is now five. Fitness centres, libraries, museums, casinos and similar facilities will be closed.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting two new cases bringing the active caseload is to 24.
  • Nunavut reported 10 new cases on Tuesday putting the territory’s total active cases at 142. Nine of the cases were confirmed in Arviat for a total of 107 positive cases in the hard hit community.
  • Yukon is making masks mandatory in public indoor spaces effective Dec. 1. Premier Sandy Silver made the announcement during the territory’s regular pandemic briefing in Whitehorse. The territory has 38 cases of COVID-19, including 14 active cases related to what Yukon’s top doctor says is the second wave of the pandemic, involving two separate outbreaks.
  • Canada now has seen 342,444+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,618+ deaths from the infection and 271,540+ recoveries.
  • Under questioning about COVID-19 vaccine delivery, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the government is at work to rebuild the domestic ability to manufacture vaccines in Canada. That’s why the government purchased millions of doses from multinationals such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna, he said. He would not set a more precise time beyond early 2021 for when vaccines would be in Canadian arms or how. He said he expects that people in the home countries of the manufacturers would be vaccinated before Canada.
  • Trudeau did have some news announcing that the federal government has signed a deal to secure up to 26,000 doses of the COVID-19 therapeutic drug bamlanivimab from Eli Lilly, with the option to receive thousands more. Health Canada has approved bamlanivimab, which has also been given U.S. emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for helping newly diagnosed, high-risk patients avoid hospitalization. Bamlanivimab was developed in partnership with the Vancouver, B.C. biotech company AbCellera.
  • In 2019, Statistics Canada says, Canadian businesses with five or more employees grossed $305 billion in e-commerce sales, which represented eight per cent of total revenues and one per cent of global e-commerce sales, according to statistics from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
  • Online sales have more than doubled since 2013 when all Canadian businesses grossed $136 billion. One-quarter of Canadian businesses had at least some e-commerce sales in 2019. Large businesses (39 per cent) were the most likely to report online sales, followed by medium-sized businesses (34 per cent) and small businesses (23 per cent). Similarly, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported that 22 per cent of small businesses from reporting member countries had online sales in 2019. Sectors that traditionally sell to other businesses accounted for the majority of the value of total Canadian online sales in 2019, a trend that has also been observed in other countries with high e-commerce sales.
  • Almost a quarter of Canadian seniors are caregivers, Statistics Canada reports. And while the roles and responsibilities may have changed in the pandemic, the challenges are greater.
  • Globally, there have now been 59,315,201+ confirmed cases with 1,399,073+ deaths and 38,003,850+ recoveries.

Nov. 23

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 40 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,212 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by one to 367. Thirty people are in hospital. Two are in intensive care. There are 347 active cases and there have been 7,498 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 three other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has 105,501 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,589 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 19 to 3,505. There are 507 people in hospital, up 23, with 156 in intensive care, up nine, 92 on a ventilator, up three. There are 535 new cases in Peel, 336 in Toronto and 205 in York Region. Toronto and Peel Region are under lockdown restrictions. There are 1,484 more resolved cases for a total of 88,992 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 37,471 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,957,723. Some 18,394 tests are pending.
  • There are 101 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 528 residents with an infection and 467 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,224 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 676 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three schools are closed. So far, 2,267 students have been infected, 516 staff and 1,087 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, will be staying on the job. Williams was to leave the post soon and the provincial government asked him to stay on and avoid a transition during the pandemic.
  • Premier Doug Ford has named former chief of the defence staff Gen. Rick Hillier to lead a task force planning the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the province.
  • Quebec has now recorded 133,206 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,164 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,842, up 13. The number of people in hospital fell by eight to 634 with 98 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 20,017  tests on Nov. 21 for a total of 3,706,400. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,335 cases so far, up 48. The region’s death toll remains at 71. 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 9,829 active cases among students and 2,337 staff. There are 1,242 classes currently closed.
  • A Gatineau hotel has been turned into a medical facility for people with COVID-19 and other ailments. For the second time since the pandemic started, the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) has made major changes to the Quality Inn on rue Bellehumeur, with 116 rooms currently housing around 30 patients. CBC has more.
  • British Columbia lost another 17 people to COVID-19 over the weekend while recording 1,933 new infections, health officials revealed Monday. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the latest cases pushed B.C.’s active caseload to 7,360, setting a new record for the province.
  • Nunavut reported four more COVID-19 cases Monday, pushing the territory’s total number of active cases to 132.
  • Manitoba reported 543 new cases on Monday along with seven new deaths. The provincial toll now sits at 236. There have been 14,087 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic in early March, and there are 8,498 active cases reported. Manitoba’s test positivity rate is 14 per cent.
  • Alberta recorded 1,549 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, along with five more deaths. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, will recommend new restrictions to the government Monday afternoon. It seems likely the government will announce details Tuesday morning. There are more than 4,800 active cases in Calgary and nearly 6,000 active cases in Edmonton. 
  • Saskatchewan reported 235 new cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths from the virus. 
  • The Atlantic bubble has popped. Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island announced Monday that they are backing out of the Atlantic bubble for at least two weeks because of rising case numbers. As of Monday, Newfoundland and Labrador was reporting 21 active cases of COVID-19 while P.E.I. was reporting only two active cases. The situation will be reassessed in two weeks.
  • Nova Scotia has reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 55.
  • New Brunswick officials reported one death and 15 new cases on Monday.
  • Canada now has seen 339,094+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,526+ deaths from the infection and 267,533+ recoveries.
  • The federal finance minister will deliver her first economic update on Nov. 30.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency says it’s warning about 213,000 Canadians who may have been paid twice through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program that they could be called upon to repay the money.
  • As of today, qualifying organizations can apply directly for the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) through the Canada Revenue Agency without the need to claim the assistance through their landlords. Applicants can claim the subsidy retroactively for the period that began on Sept. 27 and ended on Oct. 24. The amount of subsidy depends on the amount of revenue lost because of the pandemic.
  • Globally, there have now been 58,704,217+ confirmed cases with 1,388,926+ deaths and 37,518,592+ recoveries.
  • AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford on Monday announced that their coronavirus vaccine currently in late-stage trials was showing it was up to 90 per cent effective, the latest vaccine to see such a high efficacy rate. Canada has bought 20 million doses of this vaccine.

Nov. 22

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 33 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,172 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll remained at 366. Twenty-nine people are in hospital. Two are in intensive care. There are 366 active cases and there have been 7,441 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 seven in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has 103,912 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,534 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 14 to 3,486. There are 484 people in hospital, down 29, with 147 in intensive care, up one, 89 on a ventilator, up two. On the eve of a lockdown, there are 490 new cases in Peel, 460 in Toronto. York Region had 130 new cases. There are 1,429 more resolved cases for a total of 87,508 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 46,389 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,920,252. Some 30,427 tests are pending.
  • There are 99 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 590 residents with an infection and 473 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,213 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 681 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three schools are closed. So far, 2,209 students have been infected, 507 staff and 1,087 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 132,042 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,154 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,829, up 23. The number of people in hospital fell by four to 642 with 103 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 34,217 tests on Nov. 20 for a total of 3,686,383. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,287 cases so far, up 47. The region’s death toll rose one to 71. 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 9,627 active cases among students and 2,308 staff. There are 1,271 classes currently closed.
  • Nunavut has Nunavut reported 21 more COVID-19 cases Sunday, pushing the territory’s total number of active cases to 128. Of the new cases, 18 are in Arviat, bringing the total number of cases in the community to 98.
  • Manitoba health officials are reporting a dozen new COVID-19 deaths and 243 new cases of the disease.
  • Alberta topped the country with 1,584 COVID-19 additional cases. Happily there were no new deaths reported.
  • Saskatchewan reported 236 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the provincial caseload to 6,473, of these, 2,683 are active. 
  • Nova Scotia has reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 44.
  • New Brunswick officials announced six new cases of COVID-19 – bringing the number of active cases to 77. 
  • Canada now has seen 330,503+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,455 + deaths from the infection and 266,049+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 58,542,174+ confirmed cases with 1,386,454+ deaths and 37,430,846+ recoveries.

Nov. 21

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 35 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,139 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by 2 to 366. Thirty people are in hospital. Two are in intensive care. There are 399 active cases and there have been 7,374 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 five other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has 102,378 total cases of COVID-19, adding a record 1,588 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by 21 to 3,472. There are 513 people in hospital, down five, with 146 in intensive care, up four, 87 on a ventilator, down five. There are 522 new cases in Peel, 450 in Toronto and 153 in York Region. There are 1,363 more resolved cases for a total of 86,079 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 46,671 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,873,863. Some 43,047 tests are pending.
  • There are 99 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 562 residents with an infection and 476 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,206 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 681 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three schools are closed. So far, 2,209 students have been infected, 507 staff and 1,087 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 130,888 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,189 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,806, up 32. The number of people in hospital rose by 22 to 646 with 99 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 31,099 tests on Nov. 19 for a total of 3,652,166. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,240 cases so far, up 25. The region’s death toll remains at 70. 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 9,627 active cases among students and 2,308 staff. There are 1,271 classes currently closed.
  • Nunavut has 25 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday, pushing the territory’s active total above 100 cases. Of the new cases, 22 are in Arviat, bringing the total number of cases in the community to 80.
  • Nova Scotia has eight new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, the highest single-day jump since May. Public Health said the new cases bring the province’s active total to 33 known cases.
  • There are five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Health and Community Services said. There are now 18 active cases.
  • Manitoba health officials are reporting 10 new COVID-19 deaths and 387 new cases of the disease. Most of the deaths are linked to seniors’ care facilities, although one man in his 30s has also died.
  • Saskatchewan reported its highest single-day increase on Saturday with 439 new cases, bringing the provincial caseload to 6,237.
  • New Brunswick officials announced 23 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, setting a single-day high since the start of the pandemic. Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said, “we need a renewed commitment to slow the spread of COVID-19, and we need it now.”
  • Canada now has seen 323,912+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,397+ deaths from the infection and 259,647+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 57,932,313+ confirmed cases with 1,377,978+ deaths and 37,056,212+ recoveries.

Nov. 20

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 77 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,104 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll remains at 364. Forty-three people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 412 active cases and there have been 7,328 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 23 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and eight in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • A new Ottawa-based study will look into how Canada’s long-term care homes can be redesigned to better protect residents from future disease outbreaks, including lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. CBC has more.
  • Ontario has smashed through a new mark with 100,790 total cases of COVID-19, adding 1,418 additional COVID-19 infections today. The death toll rose by eight to 3,451. There are 518 people in hospital, down eight, with 142 in intensive care, down four, 92 on a ventilator, up four. There are 400 new cases in Peel, 393 in Toronto and 168 in York Region. There are 1,415 more resolved cases for a total of 84,716 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 48,173 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,827,192. Some 46,609 tests are pending.
  • There are 102 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 558 residents with an infection and 507 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,193 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 680 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three schools are closed. So far, 2,147 students have been infected, 476 staff and 1,087 unattributed cases.
  • Premier Doug Ford has announced that, on Monday, Toronto and Peel Region will move into a COVID-19 lockdown. This will mean no indoors gatherings with people beyond the household. Non-essential businesses can stay open for takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery. Places such as museums must close. He also announced a doubling of support to $600 million for businesses affected by these lockdowns. The new funds are intended to cover fixed costs.
  • He also urged people not to engage in panic buying because grocery stores and big box stores supplying food and other essentials will remain open.
  • Health Minister Christine Elliott announced several regions will move into the red zone, the orange zone and into the yellow zone. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit will move from orange to yellow. Ottawa remains in the orange zone.
  • On Friday morning, the province extended a number of COVID-19 orders until mid-December, which allows the province to implement rules on public gatherings, business closures and manage outbreaks in hospitals or long-term care homes. The orders under the Reopening Ontario Act will remain in force until Dec. 21.
  • Quebec has now recorded 129 699 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,259 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,774, up 30. The number of people in hospital fell by 27 to 624 with 96 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 34,703 tests on Nov. 18 for a total of 3,621,067. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,215 cases so far, up 32. The region’s death toll rose by two to 70. 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 9,627 active cases among students and 2,308 staff. There are 1,271 classes currently closed.
  • Nunavut has 10 more cases, raising the number of active cases to 84.
  • Nova Scotia has five more cases, raising the number of known active infections to 28. Premier Stephen McNeil announced new limits of social gatherings. “We are at a critical point in our province. If we don’t act now, it may be too late. That’s why we’re taking a targeted approach in the Central zone to contain the virus here and slow the spread,” he said Friday.
  • As Manitoba hospitals near capacity, the province confirmed another 438 cases and nine deaths. A Winnipeg man in his 20s has become the youngest in the province to die of COVID-19.
  • Saskatchewan has reported a death and 153 new cases of COVID-19 today.
  • New Brunswick has reported another nine cases, bringing the number of active cases to 51. Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health,  said the new cases are being spread in community settings, in health care settings, and in a long-term care home. “This is not the time for large public gatherings,” Russell said.
  • British Columbia added 516 additional cases of COVID-19 to its total Friday, bringing the province to more than 25,000 confirmed cases since the pandemic began. The province also added 10 more deaths from the disease, for a total of 331 overall.
  • A sign that raised the eyebrows of B.C. ferry passengers and has been getting international attention will soon be updated, according to BC Ferries. Over the weekend, the stock image used in a reminder of BC Ferries’ mandatory mask policy drew comparisons, as some saw something other than just the outline of a man in a mask. The global pandemic continues to affect BC Ferries’ bottom line. Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $37.8 million, $57.2 million less than the same quarter from the previous year.
  • Alberta broke its daily record of cases for the second day in a row after its top doctor reported 1,155 infections Friday. The record-breaking count increased active cases of the coronavirus to 10,655. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also reported 11 deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 320,202+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,324+ deaths from the infection and 256,376+ recoveries.
  • New federal monitoring says that Canada could see 60,000 cases of COVID-19 a day if people continue to increase their contacts in the community. The best case scenario, which means tightened restrictions, would see about 10,000 new cases daily. At present, Canada is averaging about 4,500 cases a day and the health care system is already under strain.
  • The test positivity rate is more than 6.5 per cent on average across the country and is much higher in hot zones such as Manitoba and the Greater Toronto Area. The WHO says test positivity should be below five per cent to ensure that cases are being captured in testing.
  • The modelling projects up to 378,000 cases by the end of November and up to 12,210 deaths.
  • “The national epidemic curve shows that case counts have far surpassed peak levels seen during the first wave,” Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said during a briefing on the modelling Friday.
  • The prime minister says “we need to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19.” He spoke in front of the entrance to Rideau Cottage, which has become a symbolic place for stern messages about the pandemic. “We need to reduce our contacts, we need to do it right now.”
  • The federal government is sending $120.3 million in immediate support to hard hit First Nations communities Saskatchewan and Alberta.
  • The federal government has ruled out home games for the Toronto Rapters when the NBA season opens on Dec. 22. The team says it will play in Tampa, Florida. The team will revisit home games after the annual mid-season all star break.
  • Globally, there have now been 57,427,358+ confirmed cases with 1,369,767+ deaths and 36,731,430+ recoveries.
  • Pfizer has formally requested emergency authorized use for its COVID-19 vaccine from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This means vaccines could be injected into American arms within weeks. It couldn’t come at a more important time. The U.S. is seeing a massive surge in daily COVID cases reaching a total of 11,895,876+ along with 254,297+ deaths.
  • While Canada battles a second wave surge, South Korea has tightened distancing rules and declared a third wave of COVID-19.
  • The World Health Organization has updated its guidance on COVID-19 medications to advise against using the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients, no matter how severe their illness may be.

Nov. 19

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 37 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 8,027 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll remains at 364. Forty-three people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 396 active cases and there have been 7,268 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 10 in schools and child-care centres. There are five other outbreaks.
  • Despite improving case counts, Dr. Vera Etches told CTV she expects Ottawa will remain in the orange zone for the time being.
  • Ontario has reported 1,210 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 99,372. The death toll rose by 28 to 3,443. There are 526 people in hospital, down nine, with 146 in intensive care, up 19, 88 on a ventilator, up 10. There are 361 new cases in Peel, 346 in Toronto and 143 in York Region. There are 1,376 more resolved cases for a total of 83,301 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 41,838 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,779,019. Some 44,493 tests are pending.
  • There are 103 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 619 residents with an infection and 529 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,189 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 680 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three schools are closed. So far, 2,147 students have been infected, 476 staff and 1,087 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 128,440 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,207 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,744, up 34. The number of people in hospital fell by one to 651 with 101 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 31,935 tests on Nov. 17 for a total of 3,586,364. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,183 cases so far, up 22. The region’s death toll rose by one to 68. 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 9,422 active cases among students and 2,273 staff. There are 1,303 classes closed.
  • The court challenge to Quebec’s secularism law has been temporarily suspended after a lawyer who had attended the proceedings tested positive for COVID-19.
  • A seniors’ residence in Gatineau is battling the largest current COVID-19 outbreak in the province in which 71 of 165 residents have the virus. Three residents have died at Chartwell Domaine Notre-Dame on Amherst Street in Gatineau since the outbreak was declared on Nov. 6, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
  • Elementary students in Quebec will start their holidays early on Dec. 17, Premier Francois Legault announced Thursday afternoon. High school students will have a week of online learning before returning to class on Jan. 11.
  • Legault also outlined rules governing family gatherings at Christmas. These gatherings will be limited to 10 people and run from Dec. 24 to 27. People with symptoms aren’t allowed. New Years’ Eve gatherings are cancelled.
  • Manitoba is limiting gatherings at private residences, including homes, cottages, and other vacation properties and nobody is permitted aside from the people who live there. There are some exceptions for child-care, health-care and home-care, tutoring services, construction, repairs and emergency response services. Those who live alone will be permitted to have one person visit their home. The public health order also provides an exception for a visit between a child and a parent/guardian who do not normally reside together. The new orders also prohibit people from gathering in groups of more than five people at any indoor or outdoor public space. This includes the common areas of a multi-unit residence with the exception of a health-care facility or critical business that adheres to public health measures. The province also shuttered non-essential shopping. The right to shop doesn’t trump the right to life, said Premier Brian Pallister.
  • Eight more deaths were reported, all connected to outbreaks at personal care homes and assisted living facilities. The death toll in Manitoba is now 198. There were 475 new cases.
  • Saskatchewan reported 98 new cases on Thursday. bring the number of active cases to 2,066. Masks are now mandatory in indoor public spaces, private gatherings are limited to five people and visitations at long-term and personal care homes are suspended.
  • Alberta has broken another grim record with 1,105 new cases reported on Thursday, along with eight additional deaths from the disease. Active cases are 10,382.
  • The British Columbia government has introduced sweeping new measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, including a new mandatory mask policy and a temporary social lockdown that applies to the entire province. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced that church worship services are being suspended, certain fitness facilities are closing and parents across B.C. are no longer allowed to watch their children play sports. The mask mandate will apply to indoor public spaces and retail environments, where customers and employees alike will be required to cover their faces. Children under the age of two and anyone who is unable to wear a mask are exempt. B.C. saw 538 new cases and one death on Thursday.
  • Nova Scotia reported one new case of COVID-19 on Thursday. There are 23 known active cases of the virus in Nova Scotia. One person is in hospital.
  • Nunavut added four more cases to its outbreak Thursday. There are now 74 active cases in the territory, 57 in the hamlet of Arviat.
  • New Brunswick Public Health reported four new cases of COVID-19 in the province on Thursday, bumping the number of active cases up to 43. The increase in cases has prompted the province to limit gatherings asking people to confine themselves to their social bubble of six individuals.
  • Canada now has seen 314,111+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,256+ deaths from the infection and 249,697+ recoveries.
  • COVID consequences: Canada Post and other couriers say they’ve been working at Christmas-like volumes since the pandemic began, and are now ramping up efforts to meet the real holiday rush. CBC has more. Canada Post says ship your parcels early.
  • More than 20,000 women left the workforce between February and October, while about 68,000 men joined it, said a study released Thursday. The report said the pandemic and the demands of raising children are likely to blame for the exit of women from the workforce, while men are benefiting from growth in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.
  • Health Canada is working to release an update of the COVID Alert app designed for health care workers after requests from nurses and doctors. The new version would make it easier for the app to be turned on and off without disabling Bluetooth. 
  • The Consumer Price Index rose 0.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis in October, up from a 0.5 per cent increase in September, led by higher prices for food, Statistics Canada reported. 
  • Canada is reportedly in talks with other governments in potential plans to donate extra doses of COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income countries. Canada has made deals to buy more vaccine doses per capita than any other nation, reserving enough shots to vaccinate the entire population several times over. A source in Ottawa tells Reuters, the government plans to donate any extra doses through a facility backed by the World Health Organization, which would distribute them among recipient countries.
  • A Canadian Centre for Cyber Security report is warning of fraudsters dangling COVID-19-related content to fool victims into clicking on malicious links and attachments.  
  • Globally, there have now been 56,435,244+ confirmed cases with 1,352,775+ deaths and 36,291,080+ recoveries.
  • The UN has published a Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery. The roadmap is the result of a collaboration involving 38 research funding organizations and 270 experts around the world, lead by Dr. Steven J. Hoffman, Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Population and Public Health. The roadmap provides a framework for leveraging science to support a better socio-economic recovery and a more equitable, resilient and sustainable future.

Nov. 18

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 22 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,990 cases since the first wave of infections began. The death toll rose by two to 364. Forty-three people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 411 active cases and there have been 7,216 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 24 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 11 in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Evidence now suggests Ottawa had its first case of COVID-19 a full month before originally thought, on Feb. 10. Ottawa Public Health has linked that case to travel, but hasn’t determined whether the individual was in Ottawa while they were contagious. OPH also now believes that by March 11, the illness had likely spread to 61 residents. CBC has more.
  • Ontario has reported 1,417 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 98,162. The death toll rose by 32 to 3,415. There are 535 people in hospital, up six, with 127 in intensive care, 78 on a ventilator, up three. There are 463 new cases in Peel, 410 in Toronto and 178 in York Region. There are 1,495 more resolved cases for a total of 81,925 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 33,440 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,737,181. Some 36,671 tests are pending.
  • There are 100 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 678 residents with an infection and 541 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,174 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 670 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three school are closed. So far, 2,077 students have been infected, 461 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Premier Doug Ford said he expects to announce new measures “in the coming days” to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Greater Toronto Area. Ford said the continued rise in cases in Toronto, Peel Region and York Region is “extremely troubling,” raising the possibility of a lockdown in those areas.
  • Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the province is not going to extend the holiday break because the current situation, based on public health considerations, doesn’t warrant such a move. The minister said the government will monitor the situation and adjust as necessary.
  • Health Minister Christine Elliott told the legislature today that, once approved for use by Health Canada, Ontario will get 1.6 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 800,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine between January and March 2021.
  • Pfizer officials say the company has completed the phase three trial of its vaccine and will apply for emergency use in the United States in coming days. The company also says its vaccine is now 95 per cent effective.
  • Quebec has now recorded 127,233 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,179 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,710, up 35. The number of people in hospital rose by 14 to 652 with 100 in intensive care. The province completed 25,165 tests on Nov. 16 for a total of 3,554,429. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,161 cases so far, up 60. The region’s death toll rose by two to 67. 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 9,190 active cases among students and 2,229 staff. There are 1,332 classes closed.
  • New Brunswick reported nine new cases in the province on Wednesday. There are 40 active cases.
  • Health officials in Nova Scotia report three new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The total number of active cases is 24.
  • Manitoba reported 400 new cases Wednesday and 11 deaths. Since March, 190 Manitobans have died because of COVID-19. People will now risk a $298 fine for not wearing a mask in public.
  • Saskatchewan reported 112 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. There are 1,363 active COVID-19 cases across the province and 48 people in hospital, including 11 people in intensive care. No new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported.
  • Another 11 Albertans have died from COVID-19 raising the provincial death toll to 443. The province also reported 732 new cases. 
  • As it entered a two week lockdown, Nunavut is now reporting 10 additional cases of COVID-19 for a total of 70 active cases in the territory.
  • There are two new cases in Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents are being urged to avoid travel outside the province and to limit gatherings.
  • B.C. Premier John Horgan is now calling for an interprovincial ban on non-essential travel. Horgan says he’s planning to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but that he’s not asking Ottawa to “impose anything” on the provinces. The premier also warned of more restrictions coming Thursday for the hard hit Vancouver area.
  • A saline gargle test is now available for adults in southwest B.C. who require a COVID-19 test. The test was first made available to students in September. It is less invasive than the swab test currently used to test for most COVID-19 cases.
  • Canada now has seen 309,618+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,164+ deaths from the infection and 247,060+ recoveries.
  • The closure of the Canada-U.S. border has been extended to Dec. 21.
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci says Canada is getting into dangerous territory as the virus surges across the world. “Right now, the entire planet is in trouble. If you look at almost every country, there are very few exceptions,” Fauci, the director of the U.S. National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBC. “The European Union, if you look at the number of new infections, it’s out of sight. The United States is out of sight. Canada, which was supposedly doing so well, is also getting into trouble. There’s a lot of community spread.” Fauci worries particularly about the spread of the novel coronavirus at the household level, where smaller groups of people are becoming infected but may not even know about it. This is because of the threat of asymptomatic people.
  • Globally, there have now been 56,024,130+ confirmed cases with 1,345,639+ deaths and 35,969,240+ recoveries.
  • As the pandemic continues to surge south of the border, the United States has now seen 250,029+ deaths from COVID-19 along with 11,485,176+ cases. Meanwhile Donald Trump is hiding in the White House.

Nov. 17

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 11 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,968 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two to 362. Forty-seven people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 462 active cases and there have been 7,083 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 24 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 11 in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • The city’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, wasn’t too impressed by the low case count. “I don’t think we can make too much of 11. Actually, it could be a lot higher tomorrow — I would expect that, on average,” she said. “It’s too soon to celebrate,” she told reporters.
  • Ontario has reported 1,249 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 96,745. The death toll rose by 12 to 3,383. There are 529 people in hospital, up 29, with 127 in intensive care, up two, 75 on a ventilator, up five. There are 569 new cases in Toronto, 256 in Peel and 94 in York Region. There are 1,135 more resolved cases for a total of 80,430 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 26,468 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,703,741. Some 25,435 tests are pending.
  • There are 108 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 700 residents with an infection and 524 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,148 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 670 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,985 students have been infected, 445 staff and 1,088 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario students could get an extended winter break or start classes remotely in the new year as the province considers ways to reduce COVID-19 transmission after the holidays. Education Minister Stephen Lecce says he will announce a plan in the next week or two to allow parents to prepare.
  • Quebec has now recorded 126,054 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 982 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,675, up 24. The number of people in hospital rose by 47 to 638 with 100 in intensive care, up 13. The province completed 20,540 tests on Nov. 15 for a total of 3,529,264. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,101 cases so far, up 39. The region’s death toll remains at 65. 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 9,172 active cases among students and 1,645 staff. There are 1,300 classes closed.
  • Quebecers lead the rest of the country when it comes to a willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19, a new Léger poll suggests. However, that same survey also found that residents of the province were the most ready in Canada to abandon face masks and physical distancing once an effective vaccine was widely available.
  • The travel bubble between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories has been suspended as Nunavut battles outbreaks in three communities. The NWT has 15 active cases.
  • Meanwhile Nunavut reported 34 new infections raising the total to 60 active cases in the territory. Nunavut’s Health Department said Tuesday that an additional 26 cases have been confirmed in Arviat, a community of about 2,800 in western Nunavut. That brings the total in Arviat to 46.
  • Manitoba reports 270 new cases and seven new deaths from COVID-19 today. From Nov. 2 to 13, Mounties issued 42 verbal warnings and ticketed eight Manitobans for failing to comply with provincial emergency orders. CBC reports that RCMP received more than 250 COVID-19 calls during that time. The province is hiring a private security firm, G4S, to help hand out fines for violations of restrictions.
  • To check surging cases, Saskatchewan has made masks mandatory province wide, as part of multiple updates to public health measures. Other updates include a reduction in indoor private gathering size, suspending visitation at care homes and work from home recommendations. These measures will remain in effect until Dec. 17. Saskatchewan reported 240 new cases of on Tuesday, along with 113 recoveries. There are 2,055 active cases, 71 people are in hospital and 15 in intensive care.
  • Alberta‘s surge continues with the province seeing 773 new cases and five additional deaths from the disease. Of the 40,962 total cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, 30,462 people have recovered.
  • New Brunswick is reporting four new cases. All are self-isolating and under investigation, health officials say. There are now 32 active cases in the province.
  • Nova Scotia reported five new cases of COVID-19 bumping the number of active cases to 24. 
  • Health officials in British Columbia have announced 717 new cases, bringing the total to 23,661. There have been 11 new deaths, for a total of 310.
  • Canada now has seen 306,466+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,086+ deaths from the infection and 241,422+ recoveries.
  • Most Canadians could be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer, Dr. Howard Njoo said. “Hopefully these two vaccines get approved, because we still have to look at the clinical data, the clinical trials to make sure our regulatory colleagues are comfortable and approve them and the other vaccines,” Njoo told reporters in Ottawa. 
  • Health officials were not sure what was going to happen to the flu season in the wake of COVID-19. International results are in, and flu seasons are dramatically reduced compared to previous averages. Signs are equally good for Canada. Last year at this time, Canada already had 711 cases of influenza. This year, there are only 17 confirmed cases. According to the average from the last six years, 4,500 flu tests were administered in the first week of November. This year there were 10,000 tests. The Weather Network has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 55,333,374+ confirmed cases with 1,332,390+ deaths and 35,613,120+ recoveries.

Nov. 16

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 51 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,957 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 359. Forty-six people are in hospital. Six are in intensive care. There are 515 active cases and there have been 7,083 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 10 in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • The City of Ottawa is assembling a COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force to plan how residents will get timely access to any future vaccine. In a memo on Monday to city council, emergency services general manager Anthony Di Monte said the new task force will be led by his department and will include Ottawa Public Health. The city’s Emergency Operations Centre will also be involved in coordination, said Di Monte. CBC has more.
  • Ontario has reported 1,487 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 95,496. The death toll rose by 10 to 3,371. There are 500 people in hospital, up 21, with 125 in intensive care, up seven, 70 on a ventilator, up three. There are 508 new cases in Toronto, 392 in Peel and 170 in York Region. There are 992 more resolved cases for a total of 79,295 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 33,351 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,677,273. Some 16,254 tests are pending.
  • There are 107 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 716 residents with an infection and 533 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,145 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 683 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,913 students have been infected, 423 staff and 1,051 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario has created a central purchasing hub called Supply Ontario. “When the pandemic started, it became very clear that the government’s procurement system was struggling to keep up, and this is something we need to address. Whether we’re ordering printer paper or PPE, we can get a better price with a bulk order and we can coordinate our procurement more strategically,” said Premier Doug Ford.
  • On the weekend Ford urged people “to limit their trips outside of the home, except essential reasons like going to work, school, getting groceries, or for medical appointments. Families should not allow visitors to their homes & avoid social gatherings.” The premier’s director of media relations clarified Monday that this message is intended for those living in red zones such as Toronto, Halton, Hamilton, and York Region.
  • Quebec has now recorded 125,072 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,218 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,651, up 25. The number of people in hospital rose by four to 591 with 87 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 23,217 tests on Nov. 14 for a total of 3,508,724. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,062 cases so far, up 58. The region’s death toll rose by one to 65. 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 2,234 active cases among students and 700 staff. There are 1,214 classes closed.
  • Quebec will spend an extra $100 million annually to boost home-care services for the elderly and other Quebecers with reduced autonomy.
  • Manitoba announced 10 more people have died of COVID-19, along with  392 new cases.
  • Nunavut is entering into a mandatory, territory wide restriction period for two weeks, after 10 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported, bringing the territory’s total to 18.
  • New Brunswick is reporting eight new cases of COVID-19 today following a rise in infections over the weekend. Officials say all eight individuals are isolating. There are 28 active infections in the province and one person is hospitalized.
  • Nova Scotia reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the active number of cases to 23.
  • Saskatchewan reported 181 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, as the government prepares to provide an update on measures to combat cases a surge in infections threatening the province. A total of 1,928 cases are now considered active.
  • Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, reported 860 new cases on Monday and 20 new deaths.
  • There have been 1,959 cases of COVID-19 reported over the past three days and nine deaths, as British Columbia’s pandemic crisis deepens. There are now 6,279 active cases with 181 in hospital, 57 in intensive care. There have been 22,944 cases in all. There have been 299 COVID-19 deaths so far, and 16,087 people have recovered.
  • Canada now has seen 302,192+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 11,027+ deaths from the infection and 240,287+ recoveries.
  • Sending in Canadian soldiers to backstop long-term care homes overrun by the novel coronavirus in Ontario and Quebec cost the federal government approximately $53 million, according to figures obtained by CBC News from the Department of National Defence (DND).
  • Globally, there have now been 54,826,773+ confirmed cases with 1,323,093+ deaths and 35,210,273+ recoveries.
  • The drug company Moderna says its vaccine appears to be 94.5 per cent effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s still ongoing study. A week ago, Pfizer announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S. Canada has booked millions of doeses of both vaccines.

Nov. 16

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 62 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,906 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two to 358. Fifty-one people are in hospital. Six are in intensive care. There are 525 active cases and there have been 7,023 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 11 in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario has reported 1,248 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 94,009. The death toll rose by 29 to 3,361. There are 479 people in hospital, down 23, with 118 in intensive care, up 11, 67 on a ventilator, up one. There are 364 new cases in Toronto, 308 in Peel and 125 in York Region. There are 1,062 more resolved cases for a total of 78,303 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 42,206 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,643,922. Some 26,147 tests are pending.
  • There are 101 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 719 residents with an infection and 521 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,141 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 670 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,850 students have been infected, 410 staff and 1,022 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 123,854 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,211 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,626, up 15. The number of people in hospital rose by four to 587 with 89 in intensive care, up seven. The province completed 28,661 tests on Nov. 13 for a total of 3,485,507. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 3,004 cases so far, up 41. The region’s death toll remains at 64. 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 2,234 active cases among students and 700 staff. There are 1,214 classes closed.
  • Manitoba‘s surge continues with 10 COVID-19 deaths and 494 new cases, the highest number ever on a single day.
  • New Brunswick reported three new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 22.
  • Two new cases of COVID-19 have been found in Nova Scotia with the number of active cases at 21.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting two new cases of COVID-19, bringing its total number of active cases to 10.
  • Four new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Arviat, bringing Nunavut’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases up to eight.
  • Canada now has seen 294,891+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,945+ deaths from the infection and 233,977+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 54,083,176+ confirmed cases with 1,313,667+ deaths and 34,815,146+ recoveries.

Nov. 14

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 78 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,844 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll remains at 356. Fifty-six people are in hospital. Six are in intensive care. There are 511 active cases and there have been 6,977 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 12 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • The company that manages the hard-hit Starwood long-term care home in Ottawa says delays in getting timely COVID-19 test results for residents and staff is one of the major challenges it is facing during the second wave. The COVID-19 outbreak at Starwood is now the deadliest outbreak in the city during the second wave of the pandemic. According to data from Ottawa Public Health, the outbreak began on Sept. 25. It has affected 131 residents and 44 staff members. CTV has more.
  • Ontario has reported 1,581 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 92,761. The death toll rose by 20 to 3,332. There are 502 people in hospital, up 50, with 107 in intensive care, up one, 66 on a ventilator, down one. There are 497 new cases in Peel, 456 in Toronto, and 130 in York Region. There are 1,003 more resolved cases for a total of 77,241 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 44,837 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,601,716. Some 39,767 tests are pending.
  • There are 100 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 721 residents with an infection and 524 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,121 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 670 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,850 students have been infected, 410 staff and 1,022 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 122,643 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,448 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,611, up 25. The number of people in hospital remains at 583 with 82 in intensive care, down three. The province completed 30,759 tests on Nov. 12 for a total of 3,456,846. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,963 cases so far, up 62. The region’s death toll rose by one to 64. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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 2,234 active cases among students and 700 staff. There are 1,214 classes closed.
  • Manitoba health officials are reporting 15 COVID-19 deaths, the most announced at one time. Eleven deaths are related to the outbreak at Maples Personal Care Home. Another 239 new cases of the virus also were identified.
  • Saskatchewan reported 308 new cases on Saturday, the highest single-day increase since the pandemic began. This brings the provincial total of cases to 4,820.
  • Canada now has seen 291,931+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,891+ deaths from the infection and 232,915+ recoveries.
  • More than 3.8 million rapid tests for COVID-19 are now in the hands of provincial health authorities but many jurisdictions are still evaluating how the devices might help battle the pandemic. CTV explains.
  • Globally, there have now been 53,788,566+ confirmed cases with 1,308,725+ deaths and 34,660,180+ recoveries.

Nov. 13

  • Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, says the country could see more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases daily at the current pace of infection. “An important driver of this increased disease activity continues to be informal social gatherings,” she added.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 41 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,766 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose sharply by six to 356. Sixty people are in hospital. Eight are in intensive care. There are 493 active cases and there have been 6,917 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 24 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.
  • The Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Task Force has announced the COVID-19 drive-thru assessment centre on Coventry Drive will be relocated to the parking garage of the National Arts Centre. A new assessment centre will also open at the McNabb Community Centre on Percy Street.
  • CityFolk organizers have announced the line-up for a virtual festival on Nov. 27 and 28, featuring headliners Steve Earle and Jason Isbell.
  • Ontario has reported 1,396 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 91,180. The death toll rose by 19 to 3,312. There are 452 people in hospital, up 21, with 106 in intensive care, up eight, 67 on a ventilator, up five. There are 440 new cases in Toronto, 440 in Peel and 155 in York Region. There are 1,018 more resolved cases for a total of 76,238 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 40,509 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,556,879. Some 44,507 tests are pending.
  • There are 93 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 702 residents with an infection and 478 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,109 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 670 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,850 students have been infected, 410 staff and 1,022 unattributed cases.
  • Facing rising cases, the province is updating its restriction framework and lowering thresholds for categories. For example, a case count of 40 per 100,000 people puts a region in the red zone. This means that several public health regions will be moving into new stages. Much of the Greater Toronto Area will now be in the red or control state, starting Monday. This includes Toronto, Peel, York, Halton and Hamilton public health units. That means staying home except for essential reasons such as buying groceries and work. Ottawa and now the Eastern Ontario Health Unit are in the orange state. “We are staring down the barrel of another lockdown,” Premier Doug Ford said during a testy exchange with reporters.
  • The announcement comes as the test positivity rate is now 4.4 per cent in the province. Toronto has a weekly incidence rate of 81 per 100,000, Halton has a rate of 56 per 100,000, York has a rate of 55 per 100,000 and Hamilton has a rate of 48 per 100,000. There have been 71 deaths on long term care homes in the past week and 196 since Aug. 1, along with a 61 per cent increase in hospitalizations.
  • Quebec has now recorded 121,195 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,301 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,586, up 29. The number of people in hospital remains at 583 with 85 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 28,586 tests on Nov. 11 for a total of 3,426,087. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,901 cases so far, up 39. The region’s death toll rose by two to 63. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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 2,234 active cases among students and 700 staff. There are 1,214 classes closed.
  • The federal government is providing support to hard-pressed long term care homes in Manitoba. The province reported 437 new cases today and five new deaths.
  • Saskatchewan has extended the mask mandate to include Saskatchewan communities with a population of more than 5,000 — and smaller neighbouring communities. The province has also put a curfew on alcohol sales at 10 p.m. which will last for the next 28 days. These new restriction begin Nov. 16 and are in effect until Dec. 4. There are now 1,427 active cases across Saskatchewan after health officials reported 81 cases and 108 new recoveries on Friday.
  • In contrast, Nova Scotia reported two new cases today with 19 active cases in all. New Brunswick has two new cases and Newfoundland one.
  • Nunavut has confirmed its fourth ever case of COVID-19, all since Nov. 6.
  • Canada now has seen 285,276+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,816+ deaths from the infection and 227,793+ recoveries.
  • The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has warned that hospitals are at risk of being overwhelmed as the number of serious illnesses rises. “We’re at a tipping point,” the CMA said in a statement Friday, calling for “tougher restrictions.”
  • Even as he talked about dwindling federal resources to fight the virus, the prime minister announced $1.5 billion worth of skills development agreements with provinces. This investment will help Canadians in under-represented groups and those in sectors that have been hardest hit by the pandemic – such as construction, transportation, and hospitality – quickly access supports to re-enter the workforce.
  • The Canadian Press reports that on a conference call Thursday Trudeau asked premiers to “identify their specific needs to protect the health and safety of Canadians and bring the virus under control in their jurisdictions.” And he assured them the federal government will continue to provide them with assistance and “will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to keep Canadians safe and supported.” Federal officials say Trudeau also stressed that he’s not trying to tell premiers what to do or cast blame for the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.
  • The PM will meet with the premiers in December to discuss the Canada Health Transfer. Premiers have been demanding more long term cash — at least $28 billion a year — from the federal government.
  • Perhaps to shake the COVID blues, Western Canadians are filling the slopes at Rocky Mountain ski resorts which have opened early because of abundant snow and cold temperatures.
  • COVID consequences: Canadians are loading up on groceries and companies such as Loblaw are the beneficiary. The grocery and drugstore retailer has reported higher profits and sales in the third quarter ending Oct. 3. Food retail sales rose 6.9 per cent and drug retail sales increased 6.1 per cent.
  • Canada has purchased 10 doses of vaccine for each of its citizens, the most by any country or alliance on a per person basis, The Economist reports.
  • Meanwhile a Canadian vaccine candidate is about to begin large scale trials. The Medicago vaccine uses a cousin of the tobacco plant to provide proteins called virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic the structure of the coronavirus to provoke an immune response. The VLP approach has been used successfully in other vaccines. Quebec-based Medicago is owned by Japan’s Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and tobacco company Philip Morris.
  • Globally, there have now been 52,788,524+ confirmed cases with 1,294,082+ deaths and 34,181,795+ recoveries.
  • Tesla founder and CEO, Elon Musk, who has often dismissed the threat of the novel coronavirus, has tested positive for the illness.
  • Italy is back in a COVID crisis as the country has confirmed 40,902 new infections Friday — its highest ever daily total. It passed the one million case mark earlier this week and there have been more than 44,000 deaths. Hospitals are once again being overwhelmed by the surge.

Nov. 12

  • For the third straight day Ontario has reported a record number of daily cases with 1,575 additional COVID-19 infections today. That raised the provincial total to 89,784. The death toll rose by 18 to 3,293. There are 431 people in hospital, up seven, with 98 in intensive care, up 10, 62 on a ventilator, up five. There are 472 new cases in Toronto, 448 in Peel, 155 in York Region and 91 in Ottawa, which reverses several days of much lower case numbers. There are 917 more resolved cases for a total of 75,220 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 39,559 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,516,370. Some 41,977 tests are pending.
  • There are 94 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 695 residents with an infection and 435 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,099 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 653 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,794 students have been infected, 397 staff and 975 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario could see 6,500 new COVID-19 cases per day by mid-December and will now exceed the 150-bed intensive care threshold within the next two weeks, new modelling released by the province Thursday afternoon says.
  • The modelling also suggests that if COVID-19 cases grow at a rate of three per cent, Ontario will record nearly 3,500 cases per day by Dec. 13. If cases grow at a five per cent rate, Ontario would see 6,500 cases per day by that period exceeding levels in several jurisdictions in Europe now in lockdown. COVID-19 cases in Ontario have been growing at a rate on average of 3.895 per cent each day for the past 14 days. Over the last three days, the growth rate has been closer to six per cent. Under the worst-case scenario, Ontario could have more than 400 patients in intensive care within the next six weeks. CTV has more.
  • The Ontario Medical Association says that the new framework for when regions can tighten and loosen pandemic restrictions is insufficient. The OMA is also urging a halt to all non-essential surgeries in hospital. Health Minister Christine Elliot says the government is not going to reconsider the system.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 91 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,725 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 350. Fifty-nine people are in hospital. Eight are in intensive care. There are 495 active cases and there have been 6,880 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 25 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.
  • Carleton University is delaying the start of the winter term to Jan. 11 instead of Jan. 6. The winter holiday university closure is also extended by two days, Jan. 4 and 5. The winter term at Carleton University is scheduled to run from Jan. 11 to April 27.
  • Quebec has now recorded 119,894 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,365  new cases today. The death toll is now 6,557, up 42. The number of people in hospital rose by 10 to 583 with 86 in intensive care, up two. The province completed 30,533 tests on Nov. 10 for a total of 3,397,501. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,862 cases so far, up 31. The region’s death toll is 61, up two. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Quebec Premier Francois Legault said his government is considering closing schools temporarily. “It remains the last solution, but currently, when one looks at the situation, we should not exclude any solution,” Legault told reporters in Quebec City Thursday. Since the start of the school year 9,775 students and staff at public and private institutions have tested positive for the disease. As of Nov. 10 (the government’s latest update) 2,899 of those cases were active and 1,174 classes were closed across the province. 
  • Health officials announced nine new deaths linked to COVID-19 in Manitoba on Thursday along with 474 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the total to 9,782 since early March.
  • Saskatchewan reported 111 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the province to 1,459 active cases. In a news release the province said it is currently considering “additional public health measures” which the provincial medical officer of health Dr. Saqib Shahab will announce on Friday at 11:30 a.m.
  • Alberta is tightening some restrictions today to stem the surging second wave of infections for the next two weeks starting Nov. 13. The province will suspend group fitness, team sports, group performance activities, as well as reduce operating hours for bars and pubs, Premier Jason Kenney said. Meanwhile Kenney has announced he is self-isolating again because of a close contact with an infected person. He will work from home. The province reported 225 people were in hospital, with 51 of them in intensive care, 10 deaths, the most for a single day since the pandemic began, for a total of 393, and 860 new cases. There are 8,305 active cases.
  • British Columbia has recorded 1,130 additional cases of COVID-19 over the last 48 hours; 536 additional cases from Tuesday to Wednesday and another 594 cases — a new daily record — from Wednesday to Thursday. Four more people have died over the last 48 hours, said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Since the pandemic began, there have been 20,368 cases. There are 5,793 active cases, the most ever. B.C. has seen its daily caseload doubling roughly once every 13 days, in recent weeks, Henry said. B.C. could soon see 1,000 new cases per day if people don’t alter their behaviour, new modelling shows. CTV has more.
  • Canada now has seen 282,577+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,768+ deaths from the infection and 224,960+ recoveries.
  • The prime minister and the premiers are expected to hold a contentious conference call today to discuss the growing second wave of the pandemic. This comes as criticism is growing about the way the pandemic is being handled — or not handled — by the federal and provincial governments. The National Post has more on the concerns being flagged by academics and experts.
  • Globally, there have now been 52,556,751+ confirmed cases with 1,290,427+ deaths and 33,962,832+ recoveries.

Nov. 11

  • Today we remember those who served and serve.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 27 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,634 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two to 349. Fifty-six people are in hospital. Seven are in intensive care. There are 490 active cases and there have been 6,795 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 28 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and eight in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • The Ottawa Carleton District School Board is facing an estimated $24 million funding shortfall for the 2020-21 school year, and is now looking at eliminating 40 elementary classrooms and 13 secondary school teaching positions. Enrolment in elementary schools is 1,700 below projections this fall, including 900 fewer students registered for kindergarten.
  • Hammered by low ridership caused by the pandemic, OC Transpo‘s head offers some ways the city’s public transit system could save millions next year through deferring certain projects until 2022, CTV explains.
  • Ottawa’s infection rate has fallen to 38 cases per 100,000. Toronto is at 99 per 100,000. Peel is at 160 per 100,000. Ottawa’s seven-day average of new cases from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11 was down to 51.6.  During the second week of October, it was 105.3. CTV has more.
  • Ontario reported a record 1,426 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 88,209. The death toll rose by 15 to 3,275. There are 424 people in hospital, up two, with 88 in intensive care, up six, 57 on a ventilator, up three. There are 468 new cases in Peel, 384 in Toronto, 180 in York Region, 63 in Durham and 62 in Hamilton. There are 886 more resolved cases for a total of 74,303 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 36,707 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,476,811. Some 34,460 tests are pending.
  • There are 93 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 683 residents with an infection and 410 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,087 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 654 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, two schools are closed. So far, 1,743 students have been infected, 383 staff and 937 unattributed cases.
  • Toronto, facing surging COVID-19 cases, will move to the red zone of Ontario’s COVID-19 tiered shutdown system Nov. 14 and will tighten restrictions further, forcing indoor dining to remain closed until at least mid-December. People are strongly encouraged to restrict all social gatherings with people who live outside their own home. The city saw 520 new cases on Tuesday, 384 today.
  • Quebec has now recorded 118,529 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,378 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,515, up 22. The number of people in hospital rose by 39 to 573 with 84 in intensive care, up two. The province completed 24,198 tests on Nov. 9 for a total of 3,366,968. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,831 cases so far, up 11. The region’s death toll is 59. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • A fitness franchise is inviting its members in Gatineau to cross the river to Ottawa to get their workouts in. CBC has more.
  • Manitoba announced 431 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and nine more deaths, a a record for one day. A total of 123 people have died from the illness in the province. Manitoba’s cumulative caseload since the start of the pandemic is 9,308 cases — more than seven times higher than it was at the beginning of September.
  • Some 260 Saskatchewan doctors have signed an open letter urging action over rising COVID-19 cases in the province. There were 112 new cases reported today.
  • Canada now has seen 276,389+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,678+ deaths from the infection and 223,199+ recoveries.
  • The federal government is setting aside $20 million for struggling veterans organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion.
  • A majority of Canadians would favour a curfew if it meant slowing the spread of COVID-19, according to a new Leger survey that shows 67 per cent of respondents would be in favour of a curfew, should viral spread be severe enough to warrant it. Twenty-five per cent opposed the idea of a curfew, while eight per cent did not know.
  • Globally, there have now been 51,857,776+ confirmed cases with 1,278,280+ deaths and 33,750,430+ recoveries.

Nov. 10

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stirred the pot Tuesday when he asked provinces not to keep sectors of the economy open if it’s putting Canadians at risk, and to reach out for more help from the federal government if they need it.
  • “With rising cases of COVID-19 here at home, there’s added pressure on all orders of government to keep people safe, and to protect jobs. But I would hope that no leader in our country is easing public health vigilance because they feel pressure not to shut down businesses or slow down our economy,” Trudeau said.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 21 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,607 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 347. Sixty people are in hospital. Seven are in intensive care. There are 537 active cases and there have been 6,723 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 30 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and nine in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ontario reported a record 1,388 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 86,783. The death toll rose by 15 to 3,260. There are 422 people in hospital, up 55, with 82 in intensive care, down two, 54 on a ventilator. There are 520 new cases in Toronto, 395 in Peel, 100 in York Region, 72 in Halton and 50 in Niagara. There are 781 more resolved cases for a total of 73,417 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 29,125 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,440,104. Some 27,802 tests are pending.
  • There are 95 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 647 residents with an infection and 399 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,080 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 601 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, three schools are closed. So far, 1,626 students have been infected, 363 staff and 876 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford continued to express confidence Tuesday in his government’s new framework for the regional application of public health measures, while also saying he won’t hesitate “to do what it takes to protect the health and safety of the people,” if COVID-19 numbers spiral out of control.
  • Quebec has now recorded 117,151 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,162 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,493, up 38. The number of people in hospital fell by six to 534 with 82 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 18,911 tests on Nov. 8 for a total of 3,342,770.
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,820 cases so far, up 18. The region’s death toll is 59, up two. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place in Quebec’s red zones for at least two more weeks, Premier Francois Legault announced Tuesday. Legault said that though the number of new cases of coronavirus had stabilized, the province had seen an increase in recent days. Lockdown measures will continue through Nov. 23.
  • A long-term care residence in Joliette, QC, the Centre D’Hebergement St-Eusebe, is the site of a sudden spike of COVID-19 cases, with at least seven people dying of the disease in a matter of days. As well, 80 residents and 57 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • The province of Manitoba is now under a COVID-19 code red alert which means a number of new restrictions including social contacts limited to household only, no gatherings allowed businesses that are listed as critical services, such as groceries and pharmacies, can stay open at 25 per cent capacity; other businesses are limited to e-service, curbside pickup, and delivery; hair salons, barbers, and places offering manicures, pedicures, and other esthetic services religious and cultural gatherings, gyms, fitness centres indoor dining, all recreational activities, sport facilities, casinos, museums, galleries, libraries, movie theatres, and concert halls must close. The province had five new deaths for a total of 114 and 384 new cases, bringing the total to 8,878 since early March.
  • Saskatchewan reported 127 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, with the province also surpassing 1,300 active cases for the first time. There were no new deaths reported.
  • Alberta reported 713 new cases on Tuesday, as well as seven additional deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 269,124+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,579+ deaths from the infection and 219,181+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, says there’s little evidence — if any — of COVID-19 transmission among passengers travelling by air.
  • Globally, there have now been 50,913,451+ confirmed cases with 1,263,089+ deaths and 33,289,404+ recoveries.

Nov. 9

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 77 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,586 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by five to 346. Fifty-five people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 580 active cases and there have been 6,660 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and eight in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa Public Health has declared an end to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.
  • Ontario reported 1,242 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 85,395. The death toll rose by 12 to 3,245. There are 367 people in hospital, down seven, with 84 in intensive care, down four, 54 on a ventilator, up two. There are 483 new cases in Toronto, 279 in Peel, 107 in York Region, and 57 in Hamilton. There are 821 more resolved cases for a total of 72,636 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 28,401 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,410,979. Some 26,646 tests are pending.
  • There are 96 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 625 residents with an infection and 399 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,069 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 565 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,523 students have been infected, 341 staff and 843 unattributed cases.
  • The Ontario government will be providing additional public health supports for the hard hit Peel Region including new testing sites. 
  • Quebec has now recorded 115,989 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,169 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,455, up 15. The number of people in hospital rose by 13 to 540 with 76 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 21,215 tests on Nov. 7 for a total of 3,323,859. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,802 cases so far, up 32. The region’s death toll is 57, up one. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Résidence Herron, the private long-term care facility in Dorval where at least 38 people died of COVID-19 in the spring, will be closed, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced on Monday, the Montreal Gazette reports.
  • Travellers coming into Nova Scotia from outside the Atlantic provinces will now have to isolate away from family and friends, as new COVID-19 cases continue to be identified among close family contacts. There are now 16 active known cases in the province, all travel related or are close contacts of infected individuals. One new case was reported Monday and is a close contact of a previously reported case, according to a provincial government release.
  • Manitoba may soon see more restrictions as the daily case count was 365 Monday along with three deaths. There have been 2,200 cases in the past seven days. The test positivity rate rose to 9.5 per cent, which is a record; it’s 9.3 per cent in Winnipeg.
  • The Mayor of Winnipeg is urging the province to consider handing over care at the Maples Personal Care Home to the Canadian military after a weekend he described as ‘sickening’ left eight people dead.
  • Saskatchewan reported 190 new coronavirus cases on Monday, a new single-day high. In total, the province has 4,087 cases. For the third straight day, a death was reported.
  • A group of physicians is calling on the Alberta government to impose an immediate two-week emergency lockdown to slow the surge in cases. The province reported 644 new cases on Monday and seven deaths, bringing the death toll to 369. Alberta now has 7,965 active cases of COVID-19, an increase of more than 1,000 since late last week.
  • British Columbia reported 998 new cases of COVID-19 were identified between Saturday and Monday. There are a total of 4,891 active cases in B.C. Five people died of COVID-19 over the past two days, bringing the provincial death toll to 281.
  • Canada now has seen 268,735+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,564+ deaths from the infection and 218,400+ recoveries.
  • The drug manufacturer Pfizer says early results from its stage three vaccine trial suggests the shots may be 90 per cent effective at preventing COVID-19. The company is expected to file an emergency use application with U.S. regulators before year end. Pfizer is one of the vaccines purchased by the Canadian government.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he sees “the light at the end of the tunnel” of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the Pfizer news. Trudeau urged people to not let down their guards because it could still be several months before vaccine candidates are ready for mass distribution. The PM said he hopes to see COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Canada early next year.
  • The federal government is launching a $1.75-billion fund to expand high-speed internet to rural and remote communities.
  • Air Canada reported a $685-million loss in its third quarter compared with a profit of $636 million in the same quarter last year as the number of people flying plunged due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions.
  • A countrywide study launching Monday will seek to better understand how many Canadians have had COVID-19 and whether they experienced any symptoms. Funded by the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and carried out by Statistics Canada, the study follows a similar project in May that found fewer than one per cent of Canadians had been infected.
  • Globally, there have now been 50,801,471+ confirmed cases with 1,262,199+ deaths and 33,232,864+ recoveries.

Nov. 8

  • Ontario reported 1,328 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 84,153. The death toll rose by 13 to 3,233. There are 374 people in hospital, down 10, with 88 in intensive care, 52 on a ventilator. There are 434 new cases in Toronto, 385 in Peel, 105 in York Region, 71 in Ottawa, 68 in Hamilton and 56 in Durham. There are 877 more resolved cases for a total of 71,815 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 37,577 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,382,578. Some 35,776 tests are pending.
  • There are 91 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 604 residents with an infection and 374 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,063 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 582 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,484 students have been infected, 328 staff and 816 unattributed cases.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 71 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,509 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two to 341. Fifty-five people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 594 active cases and there have been 6,574 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 31 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and seven in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now recorded 114,820 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,397 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,440, up nine. The number of people in hospital rose by four to 527 with 77 in intensive care, down one. The province completed  25,855 tests on Nov. 6 for a total of 3,302,644. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,770 cases so far, up 65. The region’s death toll is 56, up one. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 262,780+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,512+ deaths from the infection and 213,971+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 50,052,204+ confirmed cases with 1,253,311+ deaths and 32,878,839+ recoveries.
  • Joe Biden is now president-elect of the United States and Kamala Harris is the first woman vice-president-elect. News reports indicate Biden will establish a COVID-19 task force of his own on Monday. He has a hard job ahead. On Sunday the U.S. has 9,900,788+ cases of COVID-19 along with 237,192+ deaths.

Nov. 7

  • Ontario reported 1,132 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 82,825. The death toll rose by 11 to 3,220. There are 384 people in hospital, up four, with 88 in intensive care, up two, 52 on a ventilator, up three. There are 336 new cases in Toronto, 258 in Peel, 114 in York Region, 78 in Ottawa, 64 in Halton and 55 in Hamilton. There are 852 more resolved cases for a total of 70,938 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 39,165 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,345,001. Some 44,572 tests are pending.
  • There are 91 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 586 residents with an infection and 363 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,056 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 582 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,484 students have been infected, 328 staff and 816 unattributed cases.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 78 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,360 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by three to 339. Fifty-five people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 595 active cases and there have been 6,504 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and eight in schools and child-care centres. There are four other outbreaks.
  • Ottawa is now in the orange, or “restrict” category of COVID-19 regulations. That means restaurants and bars can reopen indoor seating; however, the businesses must abide by certain limits, including serving alcohol only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and limiting seating to four people per table. Cinemas and casinos are also allowed to reopen with limits. 
  • Gyms must ensure clients stay three metres apart and cap indoor classes at 10 people. No spectators are allowed at sports games unless they are adults supervising their children.
  • In the midst of the changes, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches urged the public not to let their guard down — or risk another surge in COVID-19.
  • Quebec has now recorded 113,423 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,234 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,431, up 28. The number of people in hospital fell by 16 to 523 with 78 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 30,919 tests on Nov. 5 for a total of 3,276,789. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,703 cases so far, up 25. The region’s death toll is 55, up four. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • British Columbia reported 567 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday. The latest number is not a record in B.C. – the highest ever single-day caseload was 589 announced Friday. One person died, bringing the pandemic death toll in B.C. to 276.
  • The heavily populated Lower Mainland area which includes Vancouver came under new restrictions Saturday in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. Among the measures, the province has banned all gatherings. Funerals and weddings may proceed with immediate household only. Funeral or wedding receptions at any location are not allowed. Gyms and other indoor fitness activities are suspended.
  • Canada now has seen 260,055+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,490+ deaths from the infection and 213,094+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 49,688,351+ confirmed cases with 1,248,150+ deaths and 32,633,711+ recoveries.

Nov. 6

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 36 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,360 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two to 336. Fifty-four people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 587 active cases and there have been 6,437 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and nine in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. Starting Saturday, Ottawa moves into the new ‘restrict’ zone and bans on indoor dining and drinking will end and movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces can open again.
  • The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is asking the city for help as it struggles to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has shutdown the CFL Ottawa Redblacks and Ottawa 67s along with concerts and other programming. CBC has more.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Finance Minister Rob Phillips and Health Minister Christine Elliott announced a provincial investment of $45 million to create up to 254 more beds in Ottawa, including $16 million to build a temporary ambulatory offload space in the parking lot at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus.
  • The government is adding 120 beds to the Greystone Village Retirement Home, operated by Bruyere Continuing Care; 56 beds to be operated by the Queensway Carleton Hospital; 39 beds and 20 ambulatory offload spaces at the Ottawa Hospital; 10 beds into Montfort Hospital and nine beds at CHEO.
  • Ontario reported 1,003 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 81,693. The death toll rose by 14 to 3,209. There are 380 people in hospital, down one, with 86 in intensive care, 49 on a ventilator, up one. There are 300 new cases in Toronto, 280 in Peel and 125 in York Region. There are 949 more resolved cases for a total of 70,086 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 41,268 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,305,836. Some 47,074 tests are pending.
  • There are 86 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 521 residents with an infection and 319 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,050 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 582 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,484 students have been infected, 328 staff and 816 unattributed cases.
  • Quebec has now recorded 112,189 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,133 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,403, up 25. The number of people in hospital rose by one to 539 with 77 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 28,807 tests on Nov. 4 for a total of  3,245,870. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,680 cases so far, up 34. The region’s death toll is 51. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Manitoba saw five COVID-19 deaths today along with 242 new cases.
  • Canada now has seen 253,474+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,420+ deaths from the infection and 208,947+ recoveries.
  • Statistics Canada said employment in Canada increased by 84,000 (0.5 per cent) in October, after growing by an average of 2.7 per cent a month since May. The unemployment rate was 8.9 per cent, little changed from September. Employment increases in several industries were partially offset by a decrease of 48,000 in the accommodation and food services industry, largely in Quebec.
  • In April, StatsCan said, the number of workers directly affected by the COVID-19 economic shutdown peaked at 5.5 million, including a 3.0 million drop in employment and a 2.5 million increase in absences from work. By October, the equivalent figure was 1.1 million, including a drop of 636,000 in employment and an increase of 433,000 in the number of Canadians who were employed but working less than half their usual hours.
  • First Nations communities are bringing their annual Nov. 8 Remembrance Day activities online. Organizers in Pikwakanagan First Nation, about 120 kilometres west of Ottawa, are putting the finishing touches on a virtual ceremony that will be available on the community’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel, while a committee in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Que., about 120 kilometres north of Ottawa, are planning a pre-recorded broadcast over the community’s radio station CKWE 103.9 on Remembrance Day. CBC has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 48,813,769+ confirmed cases with 1,235,479+ deaths and 32,268,920+ recoveries.

Nov. 5

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 51 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,324 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by four to 334. Fifty-four people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 649 active cases and there have been 6,341 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and nine in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone until Saturday with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed.
  • Ottawa and area hospital patients who no longer require acute-care treatment can now go to a 120-bed transitional unit at a new Ottawa retirement home. The unit will be managed and staffed by a private company. CBC has more.
  • Ontario reported 998 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 80,690. The death toll rose by 13 to 3,195. There are 381 people in hospital, up 14, with 86 in intensive care, up 11, 48 on a ventilator, up four. There are 350 new cases in Toronto, 269 in Peel and 71 in York Region. There are 948 more resolved cases for a total of 69,137 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 35,754 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,264,568. Some 41,787 tests are pending.
  • There are 89 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 522 residents with an infection and 320 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,042 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 581 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,435 students have been infected, 320 staff and 788 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario released its long delayed budget today featuring $187 billion in total spending this year and a deficit of $38.5 billion. CBC has more details. 
  • Quebec has now recorded 111,056 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,138 new cases today. The death toll is now 6,378, up 28. The number of people in hospital fell by one to 538 with 82 in intensive care. The province completed 27,326 tests on Nov. 3 for a total of  3,217,063. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,646 cases so far, up 29. The region’s death toll is 51, up three. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 250,398+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,376+ deaths from the infection and 207,460+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 48,261,898+ confirmed cases with 1,227,666+ deaths and 32,009,347+ recoveries.

Nov. 4

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has now seen 7,273 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll remains 330. Fifty-four people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 707 active cases and there have been 6,177 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and nine in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone until the weekend with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • The City of Ottawa will need a hand from senior levels of government if it is to avoid a deficit of $153.5 million in 2021, should the pandemic continue for another year, Mayor Jim Watson told council this morning as budget deliberations began. The city is facing a shortfall of $181 million for this year, and so far the federal and provincial governments have provided the city with $124.2 million — $74.9 million for transit, plus another $49.3 million to cover other shortfalls.
  • The draft operating budget comes in at $3.94 billion.
  • The water rate is going up by 4.5 per cent for urban residents and 10 per cent for rural residents, which translates to approxmiately $37 dollars next year for urban residents and $7 for rural residents. Urban residents pay water, wastewater and stormwater fees, while rural residents who are not connected to the water system only pay stormwater fees. 
  • The proposed property tax increase for 2021 is three per cent, an average $115 increase to the tax bill of an urban homeowner and $88 for a rural homeowner.
  • Transit fares will rise by 2.5 per cent on Jan. 1, except for EquiPass, EquiFare and the Community Pass, which will be frozen. 
  • Ontario reported 987 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 79,692. The death toll rose by 16 to 3,182. There are 367 people in hospital, up 10, with 75 in intensive care, up two, 44 on a ventilator. There are 319 new cases in Toronto, 299 in Peel, 85 in York Region and 62 in Durham. There are 945 more resolved cases for a total of 67,244 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 28,567 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,228,814. Some 33,087 tests are pending.
  • There are 85 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 485 residents with an infection and 303 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,035 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 581 schools with a reported case of COVID-19, one school is closed. So far, 1,399 students have been infected, 313 staff and 764 unattributed cases.
  • The Ontario Health Coalition reports that the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care, retirement homes and hospitals is once again growing at an alarming rate. For example, the OHC reported 181 currently active outbreaks in health care settings including 97 active outbreaks in Ontario long-term care homes, more than double the number of active long-term care home outbreaks OHC found on Sept. 18. There are 32 active outbreaks in hospitals and 64 active outbreaks in retirement homes. There were 33 active outbreaks in health care settings that we classified as “large” (10 cases or greater).
  • Quebec has now recorded 109,918 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,029 new cases. The death toll is now 6,350, up 33. The number of people in hospital rose by 13 to 539 with 81 in intensive care. The province completed 20,299 tests on Nov. 2 for a total of  3,189,737. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,617 cases so far, up 49. The region’s death toll is 48, up two. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Health officials have announced two new deaths and 374 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday in Manitoba.
  • There are 37 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan today, bringing the provincial total to 3,408 cases.
  • Canada now has seen 246,694 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,328+ deaths from the infection and 204,454+ recoveries.
  • Active cases of COVID-19 jumped to 500 from 362 in the last week on First Nations reserves, according to data from Indigenous Services Canada. In the last week, 356 new cases have been reported on-reserve with the majority occurring in the Prairies. Cases in Manitoba doubled, while Quebec also saw a spike in cases. CBC reports that Akwesasne, south of Cornwall, Ont., announced that it is dealing with an outbreak after five cases were reported in the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s northern jurisdiction and four cases in the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s southern jurisdiction.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada is now recommending Canadians choose three-layer non-medical masks with a filter layer to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they prepare to spend more time indoors over the winter. Two layers of the mask should be made of a tightly woven fabric, such as cotton or linen, and the middle layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene fabric. The Public Health website has instructions for making three-layer masks.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) updated its guidance without notice this week, making mention of the risk of transmission from aerosols — or microscopic airborne particles — for the first time. CBC has more.
  • The national ski cross team is heading home from Switzerland after several members of the team became ill with COVID-19, CTV reports. One of the members of the team is seriously ill.
  • Globally, there have now been 47,582,064+ confirmed cases with 1,216,453+ deaths and 31,713,577+ recoveries.
  • While Americans and the world watch and wait for a final result in the presidential election race, the U.S. is seeing a continuing surge in cases of COVID-19. There have now been 9,390,726+ cases along with 232,692+ deaths.

Nov. 3

  • Ottawa Public Health reported a sharp drop in new cases with 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 7,225 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 330, up two. Fifty-two people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 718 active cases and there have been 6,177 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 34 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. The capital is now in a red zone until the weekend with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • The Ontario government is lifting restrictions on businesses in Ottawa starting Saturday. Premier Doug Ford said that “gyms and indoor dining will be open with capacity limits and restricted hours.” 
  • The move falls under a new framework released on Tuesday. Each of Ontario’s 34 public health units will be placed in one of five categories based on current COVID-19 trends.
  • The new system will allow regions to gradually increase or decrease restrictions as needed. The five categories are prevent, protect, restrict, control, and lockdown. Ottawa, Peel and York Region will move to the restrict level. Toronto will move on Nov. 14. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit will also be moved into the “restrict” level to address “concerning trends,” 
  • Each stage has criteria which give local health units and business owners some level of predictability when it comes to pandemic restrictions. In all scenarios, except a full lockdown, indoor dining and gyms can reopen with modified guidelines in place. Under the proposed plan, schools and daycares will remain open.
  • Gathering limits remain at 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors for private events, while organized events can have 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors, unless the region moves to the control phase.
  • Starting Nov. 16, businesses in the previous modified Stage 2 regions or, going forward, in areas categorized as “control” (red) or “lockdown” (maximum restrictions) can apply for rebates to help with fixed costs, such as property taxes and energy bills.
  • Ontario reported 1,050 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 78,705. The death toll rose by 14 to 3,166. There are 357 people in hospital, up 19, with 73 in intensive care, down two, 47 on a ventilator. There are 408 new cases in Toronto, 212 in Peel, 86 in Halton, 76 in York Region and 57 in Durham. There are 837 more resolved cases for a total of 67,244 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 25,279 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,200,247. Some 20,758 tests are pending.
  • There are 78 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 502 residents with an infection and 318 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,024 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 578 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,318 students have been infected, 306 staff and 736 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario is making changes to add more detail to its COVID-19 website. Premier Doug Ford will explain the changes this afternoon.
  • Quebec has now recorded 108,889 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 871 new cases. The death toll is now 6,317, up 34. The number of people in hospital rose by 27 to 526 with 85 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 15,512 tests on Nov. 1 for a total of  3,169,438. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,568 cases so far, up 31. The region’s death toll is 46. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 242,368 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,261+ deaths from the infection and 201,967+ recoveries.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada is now recommending Canadians choose three-layer non-medical masks with a filter layer to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they prepare to spend more time indoors over the winter. Two layers of the mask should be made of a tightly woven fabric, such as cotton or linen, and the middle layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene fabric. The Public Health website has instructions for making three-layer masks.
  • Globally, there have now been 47,370,241+ confirmed cases with 1,209,172+ deaths and 31,441,886+ recoveries.

Nov. 2

  • Ontario reported 948 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 77,655. The death toll rose by seven to 3,152. There are 328 people in hospital, down 22, with 75 in intensive care, three, 45 on a ventilator. There are 315 new cases in Toronto, 269 in Peel, 81 in York Region and 65 in Ottawa. There are 826 more resolved cases for a total of 66,407 recoveries. There are 8,096 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 27,908 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,174,968. Some 15,397 tests are pending.
  • There are 78 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up four. There are 502 residents with an infection and 318 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,016 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 558 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,238 students have been infected, 295 staff and 697 unattributed cases.
  • Ontario will increase the direct care provided to long-term care residents to an average of four hours a day, from the current average of 2.75. Premier Doug Ford said Monday that COVID-19 has shone “a spotlight on the deep cracks in our broken long-term care system,” and that the commitment to a four-hour average for daily direct care will be a part of the budget on Nov. 5.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 65 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 7,197 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 328. Fifty-one people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 750 active cases and there have been 6,119 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 35 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. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • New figures from Ottawa Public Health shows 50 new cases to the total count at the Extendicare Starwood long term care home. There have now been 98 lab-confirmed cases among residents and four residents have died. Twenty-seven staff members have also tested positive. The home is now being managed with the help of the Ottawa Hospital.
  • Quebec has now recorded 108,018 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,037 new cases. The death toll is now 6,283, up 11. The number of people in hospital rose by three to 499 with 81 in intensive care, down three. The province completed 22,767 tests on Oct. 31 for a total of  3,153,926. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,537 cases so far, up 23. The region’s death toll rose by one to 46. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • MRC des Collines police have broken up another party in the Outaouais, this time 16 people in their 20s were gathered to mark Halloween in the community of Val-des-Monts. This came a week after a massive birthday bash in Chelsea saw 83 university students fined $1,000 each.
  • Manitoba‘s surge continues as the province reported five deaths along with 241 new cases. Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin also announced new rules for people in the Winnipeg region who are self-isolating due to possible COVID-19 exposure. If any member of a household has symptoms of COVID-19, the entire household must self-isolate, he said. The person experiencing symptoms should stay in their own room and, if possible, use their own bathroom and avoid common areas, provincial health officials advise. Health-care workers and first responders who are asymptomatic household members are exempt from the new isolation rules. The province is said to be considering imposing a curfew in Winnipeg to control spread.
  • For For the second straight day, Saskatchewan is reporting 74 new COVID-19 cases.
  • British Columbia health officials reported there were 1,120 new cases over the weekend — 352 cases were recorded Saturday, 389 on Sunday and 379 on Monday. Six people died, all were in long-term care facilities.
  • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s up to Albertans to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. “Albertans should be deeply concerned about the current trends,” Kenney said Monday. “It’s time for Albertans, for all us, to up our game.” Alberta Health did not release new COVID-19 numbers Monday because its database website received maintenance this weekend. The results for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be released Tuesday afternoon.
  • Canada now has seen 240,263 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,208+ deaths from the infection and 200,052+ recoveries.
  • Canada has extended the ban on cruise ships until the end of February 2021.
  • Globally, there have now been 46,849,292+ confirmed cases with 1,204,202+ deaths and 31,182,478+ recoveries.
  • Britain’s Prince William contracted COVID-19 in the spring but kept his diagnosis secret to avoid worrying the nation, according to the BBC and other media. 
  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered that all non-essential businesses close again, citing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Schools will remain open in an effort to keep students engaged and learning. People in England have been ordered to stay at home unless it is for essential purposes, including education, medical reasons, or to shop for groceries. Pubs, bars and restaurants must close except for takeaway and delivery services.
  • The United Kingdom has seen 1,038,058+ cases and 46,807+ deaths.
  • Donald Trump, on the last day of campaigning for the U.S. presidential election vowed to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading expert on infectious diseases in America. This as the U.S. continues to see surging numbers of infections and rising numbers of deaths. In all, the U.S. has seen 9,213,002+ cases and 231,011+ deaths.

Nov. 1

  • Ontario reported 977 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 76,707. The death toll rose by nine to 3,145. There are 350 people in hospital, up 30, with 72 in intensive care, down one, 46 on a ventilator. There are 279 new cases in Toronto, 238 in Peel, 132 in Ottawa and 113 in York Region. There are 864 more resolved cases for a total of 65,581 recoveries. There are 7,981 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 37,133 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,147,060. Some 23,933 tests are pending.
  • There are 74 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 509 residents with an infection and 304 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,013 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 551 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,197 students have been infected, 287 staff and 675 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 132 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 7,132 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 328, up five. Fifty-one people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 762 active cases and there have been 6,042 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 43 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 14 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Quebec has now recorded 106,981 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 965 new cases. The death toll is now 6,272, up 26. The number of people in hospital fell by seven to 496 with 84 in intensive care, up two. The province completed 22,553 tests on Oct. 30 for a total of  3,131,159. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,514 cases so far, up 35. The region’s death toll rose by two to 45. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 236,453+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,171+ deaths from the infection and 196,740+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 46,245,185+ confirmed cases with 1,197,619+ deaths and 30,916,892+ recoveries.

Oct. 31

  • Happy Halloween … sort of. Ontario reported 1,015 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 75,730. The death toll rose by nine to 3,136. There are 320 people in hospital, up six, with 73 in intensive care, down two, 52 on a ventilator. There are 325 new cases in Toronto, 282 in Peel, 73 in Ottawa and 88 in York Region. There are 798 more resolved cases for a total of 64,717 recoveries. There are 7,877 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 41,920 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,109,927. Some 36,262 tests are pending.
  • There are 72 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down six. There are 457 residents with an infection and 275 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,009 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 551 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,197 students have been infected, 287 staff and 675 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 70 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 7,000 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 323. Forty-two people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 704 active cases and there have been 5,973 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 43 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 14 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • The Ottawa Hospital is now providing enhanced support to Extendicare Starwood. A total of 55 residents and 20 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Three residents at Starwood have died because of COVID-19 related illnesses.
  • Quebec has now recorded 106,016 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,064 new cases. The death toll is now 6,246, up 15. The number of people in hospital fell by 12 to 503 with 82 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 28,222 tests on Oct. 29 for a total of  3,108,606. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,479 cases so far, up 58. The region’s death toll rose by one to 43. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Hospitals in Gatineau are postponing some services over the next five days to help deal with an increase in hospitalizations linked to COVID-19. There were 24 patients being treated in the designated COVID-19 unit at the Hull Hospital on Friday. CTV has more.
  • Manitoba confirmed Saturday 349 daily cases and two more deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 234,511+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,136+ deaths from the infection and 195,876+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s chief public health doctor says that while public health guidance has shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, key messages have stayed the same. Dr. Theresa Tam told CTV that advice has evolved alongside the science.
  • On Friday, she said Canadians must reduce the number of close contacts they have with other people by 25 per cent to suppress the second wave of COVID-19. Tam said the number of people being infected continues to increase at rates higher than they were during the first wave, even as some regions tighten restrictions.
  • The projections show the number of cases could rise to 262,000 by Nov. 8, with up to 326 deaths from complications of the disease. The majority of new cases are among adults between 20 and 39 — although Tam warned that cases are rising in the 80 plus age group.
  • The number of people hospitalized remains below the peak of about 3,000 per day observed during the first phase of the pandemic. An average of 1,100 people were being treated in Canadian hospitals including 200 in intensive care.
  • Globally, there have now been 45,837,788+ confirmed cases with 1,192,369+ deaths and 29,795,909+ recoveries.

Oct. 30

  • Ontario reported 896 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 74,715. The death toll rose by nine to 3,127. There are 314 people in hospital, down eight, with 75 in intensive care, down two, 52 on a ventilator. There are 314 new cases in Toronto, 173 in Peel, 115 in York Region and 97 in Ottawa. There are 796 more resolved cases for a total of 63,919 recoveries. There are 7,669 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 41,008 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,068,007. Some 41,063 tests are pending.
  • There are 78 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down five. There are 421 residents with an infection and 280 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,004 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 551 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,197 students have been infected, 287 staff and 675 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s constituency office in Etobicoke North has been “locked down” after a COVID-19 outbreak among staff. Ford has not been in the office in weeks.
  • Ford said Friday he’ll ask the province’s health experts to come up with a plan to allow more businesses to reopen in the areas hardest hit by COVID-19 after a 28-day period of tighter public health restrictions expires next month. 
  • The Ontario Hockey League plans to start a shortened season of 40 games on Feb. 4. The playoffs will be cut in half, with eight teams instead of the usual 16 qualifying during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round will be a best-of-five with the next two best-of-seven. The Memorial Cup tournament is scheduled to start June 17 in Oshawa or Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Ontario sport minister Lisa MacLeod has said the OHL will have to try to remove physical contact, including bodychecking, if it’s to have a season.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 97 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,927 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 323, up two. Forty-two people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 698 active cases and there have been 5,906 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 42 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 15 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Mayor Jim Watson will submit a “made-in-Ottawa approach” for COVID-19 measures following 28-days of the modified Stage 2 to the Ontario Government next week. CTV has more.
  • Scientists measuring the levels of COVID-19 in Ottawa’s wastewater say data suggests the recent surge of new infections in the city may be slowing, even plateauing. CBC has more.
  • Quebec has now recorded 104,952 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 952 new cases. The death toll is now 6,231, up 17. The number of people in hospital rose by six to 515 with 81 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 27,484 tests on Oct. 28 for a total of 3,080,384. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,421 cases so far, up 32. The region’s death toll rose by one to 42. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Meanwhile, Manitoba smashed daily records by recording 480 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, along with three deaths. The province has seen more than 5,300 cases in all. The five-day test positivity rate has spiked to 8.6 per cent on Friday.
  • Saskatchewan reported 76 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 3,066; 742 are considered active.
  • Alberta recorded 622 cases today, a new daily record, as well as five additional deaths from the disease.
  • Canada now has seen 231,105+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,104+ deaths from the infection and 193,349+ recoveries.
  • Real gross domestic product grew 1.2 per cent in August, following a 3.1 per cent increase in July. This fourth consecutive monthly increase continued to offset the steepest drops on record in Canadian economic activity observed in March and April, however overall economic activity was still about five per cent below February’s pre-pandemic level, Statistics Canada reported Friday.
  • Globally, there have now been 45,271,624+ confirmed cases with 1,183,861+ deaths and 30,380,635+ recoveries.

Oct.29

  • Ontario reported 934 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 73,819. The death toll rose by 10 to 3,118. There are 322 people in hospital, up 10, with 77 in intensive care, up six, 52 on a ventilator. There are 420 new cases in Toronto, 169 in Peel, 95 in York Region and 58 in Ottawa. There are 820 more resolved cases for a total of 63,123 recoveries. There are 7,578 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 35,621 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 5,026,999. Some 40,074 tests are pending.
  • There are 83 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down four. There are 419 residents with an infection and 283 staff. So far in the pandemic, 2,001 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 581 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,157 students have been infected, 283 staff and 658 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ontario health officials say that while COVID-19 cases continue to climb, modelling data indicates the province may have avoided the worst case scenario. Officials say however they expect to see at least 800 new COVID-19 cases a day for most of the next month. But the growth in cases as slowed.
  • In the worst-case scenario, officials said Ontario could see its seven-day average rise to 1,000 or 1,200 cases a day for most of November. The best case scenario would see about 800 new COVID-19 cases a day. According to the data, the province is not expected to exceed the 150-bed threshold for COVID-19 occupancy in intensive care units (ICU) in the next month.
  • There has been a 56 per cent increase in confirmed COVID-19 bed occupancy in the province over the last three weeks. The majority has not required treatment in intensive care. Officials said they now only expect to exceed 150 COVID-19 patients in the ICU within the next 30 days “in the worst case scenario.”
  • Previous projections, released in late September, showed the province could see 1,000 new COVID-19 cases daily by mid-October. So far, the province has hit that mark only once.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 58 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,830 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 321, up four. Forty people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 670 active cases and there have been 5,839 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 45 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 15 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Quebec has now recorded 103,844 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 1,030 new cases. The death toll is now 6,214, up 25. The number of people in hospital fell by 17 to 509 with 78 in intensive care, down 11. The province completed 27,370 tests on Oct. 27 for a total of 3,052,900. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,371 cases so far, up 40. The region’s death toll remains 41. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Meanwhile, Manitoba set new records Thursday for the number of new cases and people in hospital with COVID-19, with 193 new cases and 97 hospitalizations. The province also announced another death bringing the total to 62.
  • Canada now has seen 227,829+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,068+ deaths from the infection and 190,661+ recoveries.
  • The number of deaths attributable to COVID-19 has been trending upward again in early fall, Statistics Canada reported in a survey on excess mortality.
  • Canada’s chief central banker, Tiff Macklem, has warned of a long, slow recovery as successive rounds of COVID-19 lead to a “scarring” of the domestic and world economy. Macklem, governor of the Bank of Canada, and his senior deputy, Carolyn Wilkins, told reporters the economy is unlikely to get back on track until 2023.
  • Globally, there have now been 44,708,172+ confirmed cases with 1,177,077+ deaths and 30,078,002+ recoveries.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) says Europe is reporting more than 1.3 million new cases, and the threat of further spikes in COVID cases looms during the winter season this year. 
  • Starting Nov. 2, Germany will go into a second lockdown. Only members of the same household plus those of an additional household with a maximum of 10 people would be allowed to meet in public. Entertainment and leisure activities will be largely prohibited as theaters, operas and concert venues would have to close until the end of the month. Germany has seen 497,491+ infections and 10,305+ deaths.
  • France will go into national lockdown on Friday. The only authorized out-of-home trips will be to go to work, to a medical appointment, to provide assistance, to go shopping or to take the air. France has now seen 1,327,852+ infections and 36,058+ deaths. The country also saw its second terror attack in recent days when a lone wolf, using a knife, attacked people inside a Nice church. The attack on Thursday left three dead.
  • Italy‘s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte imposed strict restrictions. Theatres, cinemas, gyms, and swimming pools will remain closed until at least Nov. 24. Gatherings for events such as funerals have been banned. Italy has seen 38,122+ deaths and 616,595+ infections.

Oct. 28

  • Ontario reported 834 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 72,885. The death toll rose by five to 3,108. There are 312 people in hospital, with 71 in intensive care, down three, 52 on a ventilator, down four. There are 299 new cases in Toronto, 186 in Peel, 121 in York Region and 78 in Ottawa. There are 773 more resolved cases for a total of 62,303 recoveries. There are 7,474 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 30,010 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,991,378. Some 33,906 tests are pending.
  • There are 87 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 396 residents with an infection and 297 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,996 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 595 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,103 students have been infected, 274 staff and 624 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ontario nurses union leaders want MPPs to pass Bill 13 which would create a minimum standard of four hours of care daily for each resident in nursing homes. The NDP private member’s bill was to be debated Wednesday.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 78 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,772 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 317. Forty-five people are in hospital. Six are in intensive care. There are 698 active cases and there have been 5,757 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 45 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 13 in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is urging people not to go trick-or-treating in other towns and cities because of the risk of COVID-19. CTV has more.
  • City council has voted to require people in Ottawa to wear masks in public spaces and on transit until at least early 2021.
  • A new survey finds one-third of students say their mental health and well-being has gotten worse since the first day of classes, while teachers report being burnt out. The Ottawa Carleton District School Board’s Back to School poll had responses from nearly 22,000 students, parents and staff. CTV has more.
  • Quebec has now recorded 102,814 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 929 new cases. The death toll is now 6,189, up 17. The number of people in hospital fell by one to 526 with 89 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 20,667 tests on Oct. 26 for a total of 3,025,530. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,331 cases so far, up 43. The region’s death toll remains at 41. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • A group representing about 200 fitness centres in red zones has decided not to open their facilities in protest.
  • Three more Manitobans have died from COVID-19 and health officials say 170 new cases have been identified. Manitoba’s total number of reported cases is 4,701.
  • Canada now has seen 224,889+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 10,026+ deaths from the infection and 188,226+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam is urging “structural change” across health, social, and economic sectors in the Public Health Agency’s annual report, “From Risk to Resilience: An Equity Approach to COVID-19”. It highlighted that 80 per cent of COVID-19-related deaths have been residents of long-term care facilities; 19 per cent of national cases are among health-care workers; and 92 per cent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had at least one underlying health condition.
  • The Bank of Canada is keeping its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.25 per cent until inflation gets back to two per cent and stays there, something it says isn’t likely to happen until 2023.
  • Globally, there have now been 44,311,674+ confirmed cases with 1,171,286+ deaths and 29,800,111+ recoveries.
  • The World Series victory celebration by the Los Angeles Dodgers has been tainted by COVID-19. Third baseman Justin Turner learned Tuesday night during the game that he had tested positive for the virus. Despite that, he joined his teammates on the field after the game. Now everyone who took part in that moment have been asked to isolate.
  • Turner joins 8,836,861+ other Americans who have caught the virus. There have also been 227,409+ deaths in the U.S.

Oct. 27

  • Ontario reported 827 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 72,051. The death toll rose by four to 3,103. There are 312 people in hospital in the province, up 17, with 75 in intensive care, down three, 52 on a ventilator, up one. There are 355 new cases in Toronto, 169 in Peel, 89 in York Region and 58 in Ottawa. There are 691 more resolved cases for a total of 61,530 recoveries. There are 7,286 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 23,945 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,961,368. Some 22,636 tests are pending. As a result of by appointment testing, numbers are dropping. Health Minister Christine Elliott said there are mobile test sites deployed especially in Toronto to capture more results.
  • There are 88 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 397 residents with an infection and 299 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,994 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 593 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 1,063 students have been infected, 261 staff and 586 more cases have not been identified.
  • The Ontario government will spend $116.5 million on the creation of hundreds of new hospital beds as part of a wider effort to boost capacity in the health-care system.
  • An Ontario dog living with four human COVID-19 patients is the first dog in Canada to test positive for the virus. 
  • The Ontario government will deliver $18 million to sustain and expand social services in Ottawa during the pandemic. A substantial portion of the money, which is set to last until next April, will go to Ottawa’s homeless shelters and other services for homeless and precariously housed people as they hunker down for winter. CBC has more.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 58 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,694 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll is 317. Forty-four people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 706 active cases and there have been 5,671 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 44 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 12 in schools and child-care centres. There are eight other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Dr. Vera Etches said Tuesday that “data collected during our case management process is indicating that we also have significant blind spots in situations that are not covered by provincial or municipal regulations, like crowd gathering limits or the mandatory mask by-law.” Blind spots include gathering with extended family or larger friend circles and thinking the risk of transmission isn’t there, carpools without masks, social gatherings before and after sports and work lunch rooms.
  • When asked during a regular briefing, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said the city is doing very well, but it’s too early to say if restrictions will be eased early next month.
  • Quebec has now recorded 101,885 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 963 new cases. The death toll is now 6,172, up 19. The number of people in hospital fell by 16 to 527 with 91 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 18,985 tests on Oct. 25 for a total of 3,004,863. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,288 cases so far, up 24. The region’s death toll is now 41. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • The mayor of Chelsea, Que., wants the province to reinstate its ban on Airbnbs and other short-term rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic following a massive house party. MRC des Collines police said up to 200 people from Ontario and Quebec attended the party on Saturday evening. Eighty-three are facing $1,000 fines under the province’s Public Health Act.
  • Premier Francois Legault says police will issue fines to those fitness centre owners and clients who break provincial COVID-19 regulations in red zones such as the Outaouais.
  • Manitoba has reported a record 184 new cases and three more deaths today. This came a day after Premier Brian Pallister said “Thoughtful Manitobans are making sacrifices, tough sacrifices … while other people are doing dumb things, and those dumb things are endangering all of us. Grow up. Stop going out there and giving people COVID.” There have been 4,532 cases of COVID-19 since early March.
  • Saskatchewan voters re-elected Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party to a fourth straight majority government Monday night. The province reported 58 new cases on Tuesday, along with 56 new recoveries.
  • Alberta reported 422 new cases on Tuesday, bringing it to a total of 4,738 active cases, a new high. That comes after the province saw 1,440 new cases over the weekend. Two more people have died, bringing total deaths to 309. In Calgary and Edmonton, the positivity rate is now above four per cent, triggering a new 15-person limit for social gatherings in an effort to reduce the spread. 
  • Canada now has seen 222,248+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,999+ deaths from the infection and 186,085+ recoveries.
  • The federal Liberals have won two byelections in Toronto. In Toronto Centre, Marci Ien, a CTV broadcaster, won with 42 per cent of the vote, against 32.7 per cent for Annamie Paul, Green Party candidate and leader. In York Centre, Ya’ara Saks won with 45.7 cent of the vote, against 41.8 per cent for Conservative Party candidate Julius Tiangson after a very tight race.
  • Globally, there have now been 43,633,558+ confirmed cases with 1,161,422+ deaths and 29,262,603+ recoveries.

Oct. 26

  • Ontario reported 851 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 71,224. The death toll rose by six to 3,099. There are 295 people in hospital in the province, up 17, with 78 in intensive care, down one, 51 on a ventilator, down three. There are 281 new cases in Toronto, 215 in Peel, 90 in York Region and 76 in Ottawa. There are 679 more resolved cases for a total of 60,839 recoveries. There are 7,286 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 28,652 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,937,423. Some 17,603 tests are pending.
  • There are 86 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up four. There are 381 residents with an infection and 295 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,991 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 548 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. So far, 985 students have been infected, 249 staff and 536 more cases have not been identified.
  • The provincial budget will be delivered on Nov. 5. Finance Minister Rod Phillips says the spending package will focus on pandemic-response measures and provide a three-year action plan that lays out three scenarios in its financial outlook.
  • Premier Doug Ford says the parliamentary assistant to Education Minister Stephen Lecce will not be demoted. Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff was seen in pictures at a banquet hall standing shoulder to shoulder with dozens of other people without wearing masks.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 76 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,636 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 317. Forty-three people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 713 active cases and there have been 5,606 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 47 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 12 in schools and child-care centres. There are nine other outbreaks, including one at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Ottawa Bylaw has issued $240 fines to 38 people over the past seven weeks for failing to wear a mask or not properly wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. City Council will vote Wednesday on a motion to make face masks mandatory in all indoor public places, common areas of apartments and condominiums and on OC Transpo buses until at least January. CTV has more.
  • A CBC Marketplace investigation has found that 105 violations against the Long-Term Care Homes Act occurred at the Peter D. Clark Centre over the past five years. That statistic places the facility in the top 10 per cent of Ontario care homes with the most violations. 
  • The Ottawa Hospital is building a temporary 40-bed unit in a parking lot beside the Civic campus to reduce overcrowding that has reached critical levels during the pandemic. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • Quebec has now recorded 100,922 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 808 new cases. The death toll is now 6,153, up 10. The number of people in hospital fell by eight to 543 with 93 in intensive care, down four. The province completed 19,549 tests on Oct. 24 for a total of 2,985,878. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,264 cases so far, up 15. The region’s death toll rose by one to 40. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • MRC des Collines police in the Outaouais say 83 students are each facing a $1,000 fine after officers broke up a party at an Airbnb in Chelsea on Sunday.
  • Premier Francois Legault has extended red zone restrictions to Nov. 23. Legault noted that while cases of COVID-19 have plateaued at around between 800 to 1,000 new cases per day, the province is also seeing an average of roughly 10 new deaths per day.
  • A group of 200 fitness professionals say they will reopen their doors this week unless the Quebec government can prove to them that gyms have been linked to any COVID-19 outbreak. The group, called the Centres d’activités physiques du Quebec, is made up of gyms, yoga centres, dance studios and martial arts clubs.
  • Manitoba is experiencing record hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients, with 77 reported Sunday. Of those, 15 are in intensive care. More than 300 new cases were added over the weekend, and six deaths were reported.
  • Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is expected to be re-elected with a majority tonight. Meanwhile 54 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday. There are 650 active cases out of the total of 2,783 reported to date. There were 23 new recoveries on Monday for a total of 2,108.
  • Alberta has reported 1,440 cases of COVID-19 since Friday, including more than 500 cases both Saturday and Sunday. The province has a new pandemic high of 4,477 active coronavirus cases — an increase of 826 since the latest update —after it added 364 cases on Friday, 572 on Saturday and 504 on Sunday. Saturday’s count is the highest daily increase Alberta has had to date.
  • Meanwhile Premier Jason Kenney has tested negative for COVID-19 after possibly being exposed to the infection.
  • British Columbia reported a record 817 new cases of the virus over the weekend. This includes 317 on Friday, a single-day record, an additional 293 Saturday and 207 Sunday. Total cases have reached 13,371 with 2,325 considered active. Three people have also died from the novel coronavirus over the weekend. B.C. is limiting gatherings in homes to immediate households and six safe friends or relatives.
  • Canada now has seen 217,868+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,963+ deaths from the infection and 183,154+ recoveries.
  • A motion calling for an examination of documents and other matters relating to the COVID-19 relief effort passed the House of Commons today. The Commons Health Committee will handle the review.
  • Globally, there have now been 43,187,134+ confirmed cases with 1,155,653+ deaths and 29,018,032+ recoveries.

Oct. 25

  • Ontario reported a record 1,042 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 70,373. The death toll rose by seven to 3,093. There are 278 people in hospital in the province, down 16, with 79 in intensive care, down three, 54 on a ventilator, up one. There are 309 new cases in Toronto, 289 in Peel, 117 in York Region, 86 in Ottawa and 52 in Durham. There are 736 more resolved cases for a total of 60,160 recoveries. There are 6,821 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 38,769 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,908,771. Some 23,601 tests are pending.
  • There are 82 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up four. There are 376 residents with an infection and 282 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,989 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 514 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 946 students have been infected, 245 staff and 507 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 86 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,560 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two to 316. Forty-three people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 702 active cases and there have been 5,542 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 49 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 17 in schools and child-care centres. There are 10 other other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Bylaw officers charged 11 Ottawa restaurants and fitness centres for violating the COVID-19 restrictions during the first two weeks of the modified stage 2.
  • The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is imposing new restrictions on food and drink establishments, sports and recreation facilities and personal care services in Alexandria, Cornwall, Casselman, Clarence-Rockland, Hawkesbury and other areas of eastern Ontario. The new measures were announced as Public Health Ontario reported 43 new cases of COVID-19 in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit region on Saturday.
  • The Renfrew County and District Health Unit has seen spikes in COVID-19 cases over the weekend. Ten new cases of COVID-19 have been reported over the weekend. Six of the cases have been in the Renfrew-area and two in the Pembroke area. On Friday, the health unit announced a student at Opeongo High School tested positive for COVID-19. The Renfrew County District School Board says a class of students and a number of staff have been directed to go home and self-isolate. The school will be open on Monday morning for in-person learning.
  • Quebec has broken through a significant milestone to record 100,114 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The province reported 879 new cases. The death toll is now 6,143, up 11. The number of people in hospital rose by two to 551 with 97 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 25,378 tests on Oct. 23 for a total of 2,966,329. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,249 cases so far, up 26. The region’s death toll rose by one to 39. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • British Columbians appear to have delivered John Horgan’s NDP a majority government. The New Democrats were solidly in majority territory but about 500,000 mail-in ballots remain to be counted. The final result is expected to take up to three weeks.
  • Canada now has seen 215,870+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,938+ deaths from the infection and 180,372+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 42,761,230+ confirmed cases with 1,151,225+ deaths and 28,827,223+ recoveries.
  • In the United States, five members of Vice-President Mike Pence’s staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Pence is not isolating. He is campaigning having been deemed an essential worker. Meanwhile 8,627,274+ Americans have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 225,197+ have died.

Oct. 24

  • Ontario reported 978 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 69,331. The death toll rose by six to 3,086. There are 294 people in hospital in the province, up 24, with 82 in intensive care, up eight, 53 on a ventilator, up six. There are 348 new cases in Toronto, 170 in Peel, 141 in York Region, 90 in Ottawa and 51 in Durham. There are 625 more resolved cases for a total of 59,424 recoveries. There are 6,821 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 44,151 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,870,002. Some 30,922 tests are pending.
  • There are 78 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up one. There are 321 residents with an infection and 269 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,989 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 514 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 946 students have been infected, 245 staff and 507 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 90 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,474 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll remained at 314. Forty-seven people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 688 active cases and there have been 5,472 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 49 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 19 in schools and child-care centres. There are 10 other other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Quebec has seen 99,235 confirmed cases, up 1,009. The death toll is now 6,132, up 26. The number of people in hospital rose by nine to 549 with 93 in intensive care, down six. The province completed 26,542 tests on Oct. 22 for a total of 2,940,951. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,223 cases so far, up 35. The region’s death toll rose by one to 38. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 213,725+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,920+ deaths from the infection and 179,532+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 42,395,907+ confirmed cases with 1,146,596+ deaths and 28,624,575+ recoveries.

Oct. 23

  • Ontario reported 841 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 68,353. The death toll rose by nine to 3,080. There are 270 people in hospital in the province, up 10, with 74 in intensive care, up three, 47 on a ventilator, down one. There are 292 new cases in Toronto, 186 in Peel, 88 in Ottawa and 72 in York Region. There are 733 more resolved cases for a total of 58,799 recoveries. There are 6,474 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 40,019 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,825,851. Some 35,436 tests are pending.
  • There are 77 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down three. There are 229 residents with an infection and 237 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,987 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 514 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 946 students have been infected, 245 staff and 507 more cases have not been identified.
  • The Ontario government has ordered 700,000 more flu doses than last year, for a total of 5.1 million doses, which is a record number for Ontario, but only would inoculate a third of the population. CBC has more.
  • A data analysis of the most serious breaches of Ontario’s long-term care home safety legislation reveals that six in seven care homes are repeat offenders, and there are virtually no consequences for homes that break that law repeatedly. CBC has more.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 88 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,384 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by five to 314. Forty-four people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 676 active cases and there have been 5,394 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 48 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 21 in schools and child-care centres. There are six other other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Quebec has seen 98,226 confirmed cases, up 905. The death toll is now 6,106, up 12. The number of people in hospital fell by 13 to 540 with 99 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 27,183 tests on Oct. 21 for a total of 2,914,409. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,188 cases so far, up 25. The region’s death toll rose by two to 37. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • A Quebec health institute released projections Friday suggesting that province’s health system should have the capacity to handle the number of COVID-19 patients expected to need care in the next four weeks.
  • Manitoba reported a total of 163 new infections Friday, most in Winnipeg, and the positivity rate is now up to 6.5 per cent. The province also reported the death of a man in his 80s. He was connected to an outbreak at Winnipeg’s Parkview Place that has killed 15 people.
  • New Brunswick is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 in the Campbellton region.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador is asking passengers who travelled on Air Canada Flight 7484 from Toronto to Deer Lake on Oct. 12 to get tested in relation to a new COVID-19 case announced on Thursday.
  • Canada now has seen 211,076+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,884+ deaths from the infection and 177,450+ recoveries.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is spending $214 million on COVID-19 vaccines, signing deals with two Canadian biotech firms — a $173-million contract with Quebec’s Medicago to secure the rights to buy 76 million doses of its vaccine and $18.2 million on a potential vaccine from British Columbia’s Precision NanoSystems. The National Research Council is also spending $23 million to support other Canadian vaccine initiatives, Trudeau said.. Trudeau warned it’s unlikely that any of these candidates will be ready this year or early next year.
  • The prime minister also said Canada has acquired “hundreds of thousands” of rapid test kits from the U.S. medical company Abbott. Trudeau said his government has started distributing the kits to provinces and territories, and it will be up to those authorities to decide how to deploy them.
  • Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s top public health doctor told reporters Friday that a record 2,788 new illnesses were reported Thursday, bringing the country’s total count to just over 209,000 COVID-19 cases, including more than 9,800 deaths. She said authorities need the public’s help to rein in infection rates through practices such as limiting in-person contacts, wearing masks and physical distancing.
  • Retailer Le Château is seeking court protection from its creditors while it winds down its operations and liquidates its assets. The Montreal-based fashion chain has closed 123 locations across Canada employing 1,400.
  • Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, is warned that COVID-19 transmission through social gatherings is accelerating the second wave of the pandemic.The province reported a recording breaking 274 new cases on Thursday.
  • Globally, there have now been 42,006,178+ confirmed cases with 1,140,759+ deaths and 28,423,572+ recoveries.

Oct. 22

  • Ontario reported 826 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 68,353. The death toll rose by nine to 3,071. There are 276 people in hospital in the province, up six, with 78 in intensive care, up four, 48 on a ventilator, down one. There are 335 new cases in Toronto, 162 in Peel, 106 in York Region and 70 in Ottawa. There are 741 more resolved cases for a total of 58,066 recoveries. There are 6,390 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 38,860 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,785,832. Some 34,784 tests are pending.
  • There are 80 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down six. There are 203 residents with an infection and 243 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,984 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 501 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 920 students have been infected, 241 staff and 480 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 70 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,296 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 309. Forty-nine people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 675 active cases and there have been 5,201 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 50 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 20 in schools and child-care centres. There are six other other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • OC Transpo is set to install barriers on its buses to protect drivers from abusive and sometimes violent passengers.
  • Eastern Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, is calling for stricter measures on bars, restaurants and fitness centres in Alexandria, Cornwall, Casselman, Hawkesbury, Clarence-Rockland and other areas of eastern Ontario to help control the spread of COVID-19. CTV has more.
  • Quebec has seen 97,321 confirmed cases, up 1,033. The death toll is now 6,094, up 20. The number of people in hospital fell by 12 to at 553 with 101 in intensive care, up seven. The province completed 26,070 tests on Oct. 20 for a total of 2,887,226. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,163 cases so far, up 32. The region’s death toll remains at 35. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Quebecers who are able to work from home should be working from home, Premier Francois Legault said Thursday.
  • “The Chambre de commerce de Montreal will not like me for saying this,” Legault said, just two hours after Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante announced measures to help businesses in the city centre. CTV has more.
  • A long-term care home in Marieville, Quebec about 40 minutes south of Montreal has seen 13 patient deaths, 37 others have tested positive and 45 staff members have caught the virus, according to the workers’ union.
  • A worker at the Olymel pork processing plant southeast of Quebec City has died, just a day after testing positive for COVID-19. The plant has seen at least 40 workers test positive so far.
  • Manitoba reported four new COVID-19 deaths Thursday and 147 new cases of the virus, bringing the total number of active COVID-19 cases to 1,806.
  • In addition a poultry plant in the province has seen 27 cases and one death since Oct. 8.
  • Starting in November, some travellers coming to Alberta from international destinations will be able to take a COVID-19 test when they enter Canada that could reduce the time they are expected to quarantine. The pilot program could be adopted across the country.
  • Alberta reported 427 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, increasing the province’s active tally to 3,519. There are 112 coronavirus patients in hospital, including 18 in ICU. No new deaths were announced.
  • Despite the record numbers of cases, the Alberta government has no plans to impose “indiscriminate” restrictions that would shut down the hospitality industry, says Premier Jason Kenney.
  • Saskatchewan reported 60 new cases of COVID-19. There are 21 people in hospital. Thursday’s numbers bring the total known active cases in the province to 509. There have been 25 deaths. Meanwhile advance voting is underway in most of the province ahead of the Oct. 26 general election.
  • Elections BC estimates that about 1,077,955 votes have already been cast in the provincial election campaign that ends on Oct. 24. A total of 1,986,374 votes were cast in the 2017 provincial election.
  • Canada now has seen 208,235+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,858+ deaths from the infection and 175,257+ recoveries.
  • The House of Commons is again wrestling with a Conservative motion. This one calls for a sweeping review of the Liberal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic that would be conducted by the health committee. The NDP is indicating it will support this motion, meaning that if the prime minister considers it a confidence matter, the government could fall and an election called. It will be voted on Monday. Justin Trudeau says the motion would paralyze the government.
  • The European Union has removed Canada from a list of countries that should be exempt from travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Globally, there have now been 41,341,755+ confirmed cases with 1,133,032+ deaths and 27,782,160+ recoveries.

Oct. 21

  • Ontario reported 790 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 66,686. The death toll rose by nine to 3,062. There are 260 people in hospital in the province, down 14, with 71 in intensive care, down one, 49 on a ventilator, up four. There are 321 new cases in Toronto, 157 in Peel, 76 in York Region and 60 in Ottawa. There are 719 more resolved cases for a total of 57,325 recoveries. There are 6,299 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 32,646 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,746,972. Some 29,332 tests are pending.
  • There are 86 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down one. There are 216 residents with an infection and 260 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,981 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 516 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four are closed. So far, 874 students have been infected, 235 staff and 460 more cases have not been identified.
  • The Red Cross is coming to the Prescott and Russell Residence in Hawkesbury, Ont., where there are 48 cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff.
  • The Doug Ford government has introduced legislation that, among other things, provides liability protection from COVID-19 exposure to workers, businesses and charities. Ford said Wednesday the bill would not prevent individuals from suing long-term care homes for “gross negligence.”
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 60 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,226 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by four to 308. Forty-eight people are in hospital. Six are in intensive care. There are 717 active cases and there have been 5,201 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 50 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 20 in schools and child-care centres. There six other other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Ottawa’s medical officer of health says at least 28 positive cases of COVID-19 have been linked to organized team sports. Five team outbreaks have been confirmed and another nine are under investigation.
  • Etches said transmission is occurring during the activities, in locker rooms, when participants share food and carpool with those outside their households, when individuals are involved with more than one team and because people aren’t wearing masks.
  • Ottawa is a COVID-19 red zone in which games and scrimmages are banned and participants are supposed to engage only in training with no contact allowed. For sports like hockey and ringette, only 10 people are allowed on the ice at a time. For outdoor sports like football, 25 people can participate at any one time. Locker rooms are for storage and washroom use only. Players and coaches are to keep two metres apart at all times, and everyone is to wear a mask other than during “vigorous physical activity.” Carpooling and tailgate parties are not allowed.
  • Quebec has seen 96,288 confirmed cases, up 1,072. The death toll is now 6,074, up 19. The number of people in hospital remains at 565 with 94 in intensive care, down six. The province completed 21,902 tests on Oct. 19 for a total of 2,861,156. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,131 cases so far, up 20. The region’s death toll remains at 35. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Manitoba reported 135 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, along with one new death. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Manitoba since March is 3,626 with 43 deaths. The government also raised the amount people will pay in fines for breaking public health rules. Individuals could pay almost $1,300 and businesses $5,000.
  • There are 57 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the total to 2,496 cases. Twenty-five deaths have been reported over all.
  • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is in isolation after a member of his cabinet tested positive ofr COVID-19. The province recorded a record 406 new cases Wednesday, along with three deaths.
  • British Columbia added 203 cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, the first time the daily case-count in the province has grown by more than 200. Since the pandemic began, 12,057 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the province and there have been 256 deaths.
  • Canada now has seen 205,954+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,826+ deaths from the infection and 173,514+ recoveries.
  • Canadians will not be forced into COVID-19 internment or containment camps, a spokesperson for Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Tuesday. The statement is a response to a disinformation campaign that has been circulating on social media for weeks.
  • NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and his party would not give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau an “excuse” to send Canadians to the polls during the pandemic. The Liberal government survived a self-declared confidence vote over a Conservative motion to create a special anti-corruption Commons committee this afternoon with the help of New Democrats.
  • Globally, there have now been 40,652,097+ confirmed cases with 1,122,036+ deaths and 27,782,160+ recoveries.

Oct. 20

  • Ontario reported 821 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 65,896. The death toll rose by three to 3,053. There are 274 people in hospital in the province, up 22, with 72 in intensive care, up three, 45 on a ventilator, up five. There are 327 new cases in Toronto, 136 in Peel, 64 in York Region and 78 in Ottawa. There are 628 more resolved cases for a total of 56,606 recoveries. There are 6,237 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 24,049 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,714,326. Some 24,129 tests are pending.
  • There are 87 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up one. There are 197 residents with an infection and 249 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,979 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 508 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four are closed. So far, 810 students have been infected, 223 staff and 396 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ontario has extended a number of COVID-19 orders until mid-November. The Ford government said that the extension will apply to all orders under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) except those that deal with hydro prices and access to electronic personal health information.
  • The province will allow dance studios in hot zones to reopen with restrictions. No walk-in dancers will be allowed. Dancers must pre-register for classes and only 10 people are allowed inside at a time.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 78 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,166 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 304. Forty-six people are in hospital, down two. Six are in intensive care. There are 745 active cases and there have been 5,117 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 53 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 23 in schools and child-care centres. There is one other outbreak. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • The Vittoria Trattoria on Rivergate Way has been fined $880 by Ottawa Bylaw for violating the provincial order on patio tents, which require two sides of the tent to be open. The restaurant’s patio tent had one side open. CTV has more.
  • About one in every 700 students, or 0.14 per cent, in brick-and-mortar classrooms in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the school year. CBC has more.
  • Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, indicated at a press conference on Monday that the province is “very closely monitoring” Halton, Hamilton and Eastern Ontario to see if these areas need to move to modified Stage 2 restrictions, like Toronto, Peel, Ottawa and York Region.
  • Quebec has seen 95,216 confirmed cases, up 877. The death toll is now 6,055, up 11. The number of people in hospital is 565, up 33 with 100 in intensive care, up eight. The province completed 16,291 tests on Oct. 18 for a total of 2,839,254. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,111 cases so far, up 49. The region’s death toll remains at 35. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Nurses and other health-care workers blocked two major bridges in Montreal and Quebec City Monday, escalating pressure tactics to push the province to address working conditions they say have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • American authorities are seeking three men who drove illegally into the U.S. from Quebecthis weekend through a Vermont man’s backyard. CTV has more.
  • Manitoba reported 110 new cases on Tuesday bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in since March to 3,491. There are 1,746 active cases in the province, along with 1,703 recoveries. The number of First Nations people in the province with COVID-19 rose by 42 new cases.
  • Saskatchewan is reporting 44 new cases Tuesday for a total of 2,439 — 427 of which are considered active. There are 18 people in hospital due to the virus.
  • Canada now has seen 203,289+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,792+ deaths from the infection and 170,299+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 40,425,663+ confirmed cases with 1,118,635+ deaths and 27,714,999+ recoveries.

Oct. 19

  • Ontario reported 704 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 65,075. The death toll rose by four to 3,050. There are 252 people in hospital in the province, up five, with 69 in intensive care, down two, 40 on a ventilator, down three. There are 244 new cases in Toronto, 168 in Peel, 103 in York Region and 52 in Ottawa. There are 607 more resolved cases for a total of 55,978 recoveries. There are 6,047 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 31,864 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,690,277. Some 16,303 tests are pending.
  • There are 86 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up seven. There are 209 residents with an infection, down five, and 234 staff, up one. So far in the pandemic, 1,980 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 483 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; four are closed. So far, 736 students have been infected, 203 staff and 373 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ontario is also launching a massive makeover and streamlining of access to and delivery of provincial services. One of the key ideas is the creation of a digital identity for every citizen.
  • Ontario is recommending against Halloween trick-or-treating in Ottawa, Toronto, Peel Region and York Region. It can proceed elsewhere with proper safety protocols.
  • COVID-19 outbreaks are reported at Toronto Western Hospital, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and, the worst hit, St. Joseph’s Health Centre where 17 patients and 13 staff have the virus.
  • Premier Doug Ford appeals to protesters to stay away from his neighbourhood because his neighbours are concerned.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 52 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,088 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll remained 303. Forty-eight people are in hospital, up one. Eight are in intensive care. There are 759 active cases and there have been 5,026 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 53 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres. There is one other outbreak. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Ontario’s Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Minister, Lisa MacLeod, says she is trying to get dance studios up and running in regions that are currently in a modified version of Stage 2 amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. CP24 has more.
  • A COVID-19 testing facility is open at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex at 1585 Tenth Line Rd. The clinic is operated by the Montfort Hospital.
  • With COVID-19 cases rising in eastern Ontario, the region’s top doctor warns Alexandria, Cornwall, Casselman, Hawkesbury, Clarence-Rockland and other areas of eastern Ontario could roll back to a modified Stage 2. There were 86 new cases of COVID-19 in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit region over the last seven days. The high was 23 new cases on Thursday. CTV has more.
  • The pandemic is reshaping the commercial real estate market in downtown Ottawa and in other cities. Capital Current has more.
  • This year’s Bell Capital Cup, one of the largest atom and peewee hockey tournaments in the world, has been indefinitely postponed.
  • Quebec has seen 94,429 confirmed cases, up 1,038. The death toll is now 6,044, up six. The number of people in hospital is 532, up five with 92 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 21,613 tests on Oct. 17 for a total of 2,822,963. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,063 cases so far, up 39. The region’s death toll remains at 35. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Manitoba reported Monday two more deaths and 80 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Manitoba to 3,382.
  • Saskatchewan reported a record 66 new cases of COVID-19 today. The provincial total is now 2,396 cases. There have been 25 deaths. 
  • Alberta reported 898 new cases over the weekend. The province added 311 cases on Friday, 231 on Saturday and 356 on Sunday. There are 3,138 active cases. The province also reported four deaths Monday. Alberta has reported 22,673 cases and 292 deaths since March.
  • British Columbia reported 499 new cases of COVID-19 in the past three days. A total of 172 new cases were reported Saturday, 153 cases Sunday and 174 cases in the past 24 hours. The total case count is 11,687. There are 1,639 active cases in B.C. Two new deaths were reported over the weekend.
  • Canada now has seen 201,433+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,778+ deaths from the infection and 168,689+ recoveries.
  • The non-essential travel ban between Canada and the U.S. is extended to Nov. 21.
  • Globally, there have now been 40,272,089+ confirmed cases with 1,116,167+ deaths and 27,558,672+ recoveries.

Oct. 18

  • Ontario reported 658 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 64,371. The death toll rose by five to 3,046. There are 247 people in hospital in the province, down 31, with 71 in intensive care, down one, 43 on a ventilator, up one. There are 197 new cases in Toronto, 155 in Peel, 94 in York Region and 67 in Ottawa. There are 685 more resolved cases for a total of 55,371 recoveries. There are 5,954 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 40,850 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,658,413. Some 23,609 tests are pending.
  • There are 79 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up one. There are 214 residents with an infection, up 29, and 223 staff, up 20. So far in the pandemic, 1,980 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection, up one. There are 485 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 690 students have been infected, 195 staff and 357 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 67 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 6,036 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by two at 303. Forty-seven people are in hospital, down one. Seven are in intensive care. There are 790 active cases and there have been 4,943 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 48 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 26 in schools and child-care centres. There is one other outbreak. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • A long-term care home in Hawkesbury, Ont., has had its first death from the novel coronavirus.
  • An employee at the City Hall Service Ottawa kiosk has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Quebec has seen 93,391 confirmed cases, up 1,094. The death toll is now 6,038, up six. The number of people in hospital is 527, up 10 with 88 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 22,650 tests on Oct. 16 for a total of 2,801,350. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2,024 cases so far, up 16. The region’s death toll rose by one to 35. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 196,321+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,746+ deaths from the infection and 165,446+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 39,502,909+ confirmed cases with 1,106,705+ deaths and 27,147,928+ recoveries.

Oct. 17

  • Ontario reported 805 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 63,713. The death toll rose by 10 to 3,041. There are 278 people in hospital in the province, up 17, with 72 in intensive care, up five, 42 on a ventilator, up six. There are 374 new cases in Toronto, 107 in Peel, 93 in York Region and 70 in Ottawa. There are 682 more resolved cases for a total of 54,686 recoveries. There are 5,986 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 44,722 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,617,563. Some 33,630 tests are pending.
  • There are 78 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up six. There are 185 residents with an infection, up 27, and 203 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,979 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection, up five. There are 485 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 690 students have been infected, 195 staff and 357 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 70 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,969 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll remains at 301. Forty-eight people are in hospital, up one. Eight are in intensive care. There are 785 active cases and there have been 4,883 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 48 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 26 in schools and child-care centres. There is one other outbreak. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Quebec has seen 92,297 confirmed cases, up 1,279. The death toll is now 6,032, up 14. The number of people in hospital is 517, up 10 with 85 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 26,627  tests on Oct. 15 for a total of 2,778,700. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 2 008 cases so far, up 45. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Canada now has seen 196,321+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,746+ deaths from the infection and 165,446+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s legal marijuana industry is celebrating a jump in sales, more brick-and-mortar stores and competitive pricing as it celebrates two years in business. Global News has more.
  • In July 2020, an estimated 154,000 passengers arrived in Canada, and of those, an estimated 33,000 then took a domestic flight, according to Transport Canada. Countries such as New Zealand and Australia mandate arriving passengers quarantine at the first place they land. Canada’s quarantine rules do not require a point-of-entry quarantine – if you don’t show symptoms, you can continue to your final destination before quarantining for 14 days, Global News reports.
  • Globally, there have now been 39,502,909+ confirmed cases with 1,106,705+ deaths and 27,147,928+ recoveries.

Oct. 16

  • Ontario reported 712 additional cases of COVID-19 today. That raised the provincial total to 62,908. The death toll rose by nine to 3,031. There are 261 people in hospital in the province, up eight, with 67 in intensive care, up five, 36 on a ventilator, up five. There are 213 new cases in Toronto, 135 in Peel, 99 in Ottawa and 62 in York Region. There are 713 more resolved cases for a total of 54,004 recoveries. There are 5,873 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 38,507 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,572,841. Some 37,155 tests are pending.
  • There are 72 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up one. There are 158 residents with an infection, down one, and 203 staff, up four. So far in the pandemic, 1,974 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection, up five. There are 485 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 690 students have been infected, 195 staff and 357 more cases have not been identified.
  • Long-term care homes in Ontario continue to cope with severe staffing shortages and may not be ready to deal with the second wave of the pandemic, an independent commission has heard. Huffington Post has more.
  • The Ontario government says, until further notice, short-term and temporary absences for social or personal reasons will not be allowed at long-term care homes in Ottawa, Peel Region and Toronto.
  • On Monday, York Region, part of the Greater Toronto Area, is reverting to a modified Stage 2, forcing the closure of indoor dining, gyms and movie theatres.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 99 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,899 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by three to 301. Forty-seven people are in hospital, up one. Eight are in intensive care, down one. There are 792 active cases and there have been 4,806 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 47 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 26 in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • Quebec has seen 91,018 confirmed cases, up 1,055. The death toll is now 6,018, up 13. The number of people in hospital is 507, up 14 with 87 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 29,028 tests on Oct. 14 for a total of 2,752,073. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,963 cases so far, up 38. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Manitoba reported 75 new cases Friday. The five-day test positivity rate in the province sits at 5.2 per cent. Manitoba has had 3,172 cases since early March. There are 1,582 active cases and 1,553 people have recovered.
  • Health officials have announced the first COVID-19-related death among Manitoba’s First Nations.
  • Canada now has seen 192,444+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,708+ deaths from the infection and 162,203+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 38,971,792+ confirmed cases with 1,098,982+ deaths and 26,918,980+ recoveries.

Oct. 15

  • Ontario reported 783 additional cases of COVID-19. That raised the provincial total to 62,196. The death toll rose by five to 3,022. There are 253 people in hospital in the province, up 22, with 62 in intensive care, down two, 31 on a ventilator, down four. There are 239 new cases in Toronto, 136 new cases in Peel, 127 in York Region and 93 in Ottawa. There are 779 more resolved cases for a total of 53,291 recoveries. There are 5,883 active cases.
  • Ontario completed 39,961 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,534,334. Some 36,314 tests are pending.
  • There are 71 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up six. There are 159 residents with an infection, up 17, and 199 staff, up 10. So far in the pandemic, 1,969 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection, up one. There are 451 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 635 students have been infected, 184 staff and 326 more cases have not been identified.
  • The province is temporarily revoking a policy, known as Regulation 24, that forces Ontario school boards to hire teachers with the most seniority. The revocation is being triggered by hiring delays experienced by school boards this fall, said Education Minister Stephen Lecce.
  • The provincial Financial Accountability Office now projects Ontario’s real gross domestic product will decline by 6.8 per cent this year, rather than the nine per cent it forecast in the spring. Provincial economic growth is expected to “rebound strongly” next year — but any significant COVID-19 restrictions could hamper that, the agency said.
  • The agency also predicts a $37.2 billion deficit for 2020-21, but notes the province has yet to allocate more than $9 billion in program spending.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 93 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,800 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll rose by one to 298. Forty-six people are in hospital, down two. Nien are in intensive care, down one. There are 777 active cases and there have been 4,725 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 49 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres. There are two other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking. Movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces are closed until early November at least.
  • A 52-year-old long-term care worker has been charged with breaching Quarantine Act by returning to work four days after returning from a after trip abroad. She will be back in court Nov. 24.
  • Ottawa’s English public and Catholic school boards are cancelling year-end exams for secondary students.
  • Independent cinemas in Toronto and Ottawa are coming up with different ways to generate cash as they shut their doors for a second time since the pandemic began. “Anything we can do, we will do because we can’t be open for screenings or rentals,” said Josh Stafford, the owner of the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa. CBC has more.
  • Quebec has seen 89,963 confirmed cases, up 969. The death toll is now 6,005, up 28. The number of people in hospital is 493, up five with 83 in intensive care, up three. Quebec has seen 74,483 recoveries. The province completed 24,612 tests on Oct. 13 for a total of 2,723,045. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,925 cases so far, up 41. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Premier Francois Legault says children can trick or treat this Halloween in the province. Children will be allowed to go from door to door in costume, but only with people who live in the same household. People handing out candy will need to maintain two metres distance from the kids. He suggested for people to put candy in baskets outside, separated in bags — and to instruct children to take one without touching any others.
  • The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) has suspended play in its Quebec-based divisions until at least Oct. 28. Five of six teams in the Maritimes Division will play. The Moncton Wildcats will not play for now because of New Brunswick government restrictions.
  • A case of COVID-19 has been traced back to a bingo hall south of Montreal. Bingo has also been banned in the province as a result, said Health Minister Christian Dube on Thursday. The hall in question hosted hundreds of people on Friday and was visited by police on Wednesday, when it hosted another event. Around 170 people had gathered when police arrived. CTV has more.
  • Manitoba‘s surge is continuing with 173 cases reported today. There was also one more death. Manitoba now has 1,527 active cases and has a test-positivity rate of 4.9 per cent. “Many Manitobans have been following the fundamentals from the beginning, but we can see we’ve lost our way with the fundamentals at this point,” Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief medical officer of health, told reporters today. “We can see we are going to need to act.” The Winnipeg area alone has 1,297 active cases and a test positivity rate of 5.8 per cent.
  • British Columbia health officials have identified the province’s first case of multisystem inflammatory system tied to coronavirus infection in a child.
  • Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a severe reaction to a viral infection and can look similar to Kawasaki syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, or macrophage activation syndrome. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, heart problems, and a rash.
  • B.C. announced 142 new coronavirus cases Thursday. The new cases bring the provincial total to 11,034. There are 1,494 active cases. There are 75 people in the hospital in B.C., 24 in intensive care. There were 9,016 tests processed in the past 24 hours, providing a positive test rate of 1.5 per cent.
  • Canada now has seen 191,732+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,699+ deaths from the infection and 161,490+ recoveries. Some 20,477+ cases are active.
  • Globally, there have now been 38,756,289+ confirmed cases with 1,095,216+ deaths and 26,753,000+ recoveries.
  • In the United States, Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, will suspend in-person events until Monday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for coronavirus. Joe Biden’s presidential campaign said Thursday that Biden had no exposure, though he and Harris spent several hours campaigning together in Arizona on Oct. 8. Both have tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times since then. The U.S. has seen 7,948,755+ cases and 217,314+ deaths.

Oct. 14

  • Ontario reported 721 additional cases of COVID-19. That raised the provincial total to 61,413. The death toll remained at 3,017. There are 231 people in hospital in the province, up one, with 64 in intensive care, up four, 35 on a ventilator, up one. There are 270 new cases in Toronto, 170 new cases in Peel and 79 in York Region. There are 783 more resolved cases for a total of 52,512 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 32,206 tests in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,494,373. Some 26,558 tests are pending.
  • There are 65 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, down one. There are 142 residents with an infection and 189 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,968 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 421 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; five are closed. So far, 580 students have been infected, 168 staff and 292 more cases have not been identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 45 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,707 cases since the first wave of infections began in March. The death toll remained at 297. Forty-eight people are in hospital, up 11. Ten are in intensive care. There are 769 active cases and there have been 4,641 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 49 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 25 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking, along with movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces closed.
  • Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches says Ottawa’s per-capita positivity rate is the highest in Ontario. “This is an Ottawa challenge,” Etches told City Council Wednesday. “Ottawa has the highest rate of people testing positive for COVID-19 in the province. Just over the last week, Ottawa had 70 people per 100,000 testing positive. Toronto had 57. If you look at the trend, Ottawa’s rate per 100,000 grew faster than the rate in Toronto, which was relatively stable.”
  • Etches also told Council that she does not recommend residents take their kids out trick-or-treating this Hallowe’en. “I recommend that people stay with the members of their household, that you look at ways to have candy for kids in your household in a different way,” she said.
  • A group representing thousands of businesses in Ottawa is asking the premier and his ministers for an immediate meeting about the province’s decision to close down certain sectors in COVID-19 hot spots. CBC has more.
  • Etches said today that she “absolutely” supports the province’s decision to close down bars, restaurants, gyms and theatres for 28 days.
  • Ottawa city council rejected a move by Coun. Shawn Menard on Wednesday that would have given the Ottawa Police Service a smaller budget increase next year, and a larger one to Ottawa Public Health. CBC has more.
  • Quebec has now seen 88,994 confirmed cases, up 844. The death toll is 5,976, up six. The number of people in hospital is 488, up 20, with 80 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 20,959 tests on Oct. 12 for a total of 2,698,933. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,841 cases so far, up 11. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • A brand new 600-bed hospital will be built in the Outaouais, Le Droit reports. Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé will announce it today. The hospital will be affiliated with McGill University. The region will see a net gain of 240 short-term beds as a result and is expected to spark a review and reorganization of the regional health network.
  • Police in Boisbriand, near Montreal, broke up an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish religious celebration on Saturday night that had grown to more than 750 people, arresting one person and handing out more than 16 tickets in the process.
  • New Brunswick is reporting eight new cases; two in Moncton and six in the Campbellton region. There are 150 people in isolation in the Moncton region, and 320 people in Campbellton. nThe total number of active cases is 90. There are five people in hospital, one in ICU.
  • Manitoba reported 146 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, mostly in Winnipeg, along with two more deaths. Per capita, Manitoba has the second-highest number of active cases in the country behind Quebec, according to data on Health Canada’s website. Manitoba has had 2,925 COVID-19 cases to date. Health officials said 37 people have died and 27 were in hospital on Wednesday.
  • Canada now has seen 188,959+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,663+ deaths from the infection and 159,036+ recoveries.
  • A mental health gender gap that was forged early in the COVID-19 pandemic has been reinforced, according to the latest survey by The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in collaboration the global research technology company Delvinia. The survey of 1,003 adults, conducted between September 18 and 22 as elementary and high schools were reopening, reveals that women had higher levels of anxiety and loneliness than men, and parents of children under 18 had higher levels of depression compared to adults without children in this age group.
  • The Skate Canada International Grand Prix has been canceled. The event was scheduled for Oct. 30-31 in Ottawa.
  • WestJet will eliminate 100 flights, about 80 per cent of the airline’s service in and out of Atlantic Canada, along with suspending its flight between Quebec City and Toronto. The routes will be cancelled as of Nov. 2. About 100 jobs will be eliminated.
  • Globally, there have now been 38,351,539+ confirmed cases with 1,089,186+ deaths and 26,540,006+ recoveries.
  • Britain is pursuing targeted local restrictions — such as closing pubs in Liverpool, England — to avoid another national lockdown and closure of schools. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was trying to take a balanced approach between the extremes of “shuttering our lives and our economy” and abandoning the fight. Johnson announced a three-tier alert system, under which areas of highest concern — including Liverpool — will see pubs and bars close and almost all mixing of households banned, though schools will remain open. In the middle tier, people won’t be allowed to meet indoors with others who are not part of their households. The lowest tier will see pubs close at 10 p.m. and gatherings limited to six.

Oct. 13

  • Ontario reported 746 additional cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, along with 807 cases Monday. That raised the provincial total to 60,692. The death toll rose by 12 to 3,017. There are 230 people in hospital in the province, up 13, with 60 in intensive care, up nine, 34 on a ventilator, up two. There are 5,946 active cases, a record. There are 311 new cases in Toronto, 135 in Peel and 116 in Ottawa today. There are 1,292 more resolved cases for a total of 51,729 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 31,233 in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,462,167. Some 24,420 tests are pending.
  • There are 66 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 157 residents with an infection and 210 staff. So far in the pandemic, 1,968 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection. There are 436 schools with a reported case of COVID-19; three are closed. So far, 531 students have been infected, 157 staff and 260 more cases have not been identified.
  • A Hamilton spinning studio has been identified as the site of a super-spreader event as more than 50 cases of COVID-19 have been reported over the long weekend. Thirty-seven riders who visited SpinCo between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 have tested positive. There have been exposures outside the studio which have raised the total to 51, as of Tuesday morning. Public health officials are warning that potentially 100 SpinCo riders and outside contacts may have been exposed to COVID-19.
  • The Ontario Energy Board says a “typical” residential hydro customer can expect a $2.24 increase in their monthly bill starting Nov. 1. Ontario is going to time-of-use (TOU) and tiered electricity pricing after months of charging hydro customers a flat rate of 12.8 cents/kWh.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 119 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,654 cases since the first wave of infections in the city began in March. The death toll remained at 297. Thirty-eight people are in hospital. Nine are in intensive care. There are 833 active cases and there have been 4,411 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 45 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks. The capital is now in a red zone with bans on indoor dining and drinking, along with movie theatres, event spaces and performing arts spaces closed.
  • Ottawa Public Health (OPH) categorizes the source of COVID-19 infections under five labels: outbreak, close contact, travel, no known source and no information available. Based on the latest numbers reported Monday, unknown sources of infections and cases with no information available have made up more than 36 per cent of Ottawa’s 5,546 cases since the start of the pandemic. CBC has more.
  • OC Transpo special constables will start handing out fines for transit users who are not wearing masks, unless they have a good reason. The transit agency says three drivers have tested positive for COVID-19 this month alone.
  • CBC reports the City of Ottawa has shut down the “Great Kanata and Stittsville Spookby and Food Drive” because officials say it contravenes COVID-19-related restrictions, even though organizers say the province gave them the green light. The plan was to collect food Oct. 31 for the Kanata Food Cupboard from homes on six different predetermined routes. People were to leave contributions at the end of their driveways and volunteers would pick them up, place them in a decorated truck, leaving behind bags of candy.
  • Quebec has now seen 87,791 confirmed cases, up by 815. The death toll rose by five to 5,970. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 11 to 468 with 85 in intensive care, up 10. The province completed 20,386 tests on Oct. 11 for a total of 2,677,474. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,830 cases so far, up 31. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Manitoba is reporting 124 new cases of COVID-19, a record number. The province has also seen one new death for a total of 35. Eight people have died of COVID-19 since Oct. 9. This means that as of 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 16, the maximum allowable number for gatherings in the home will be 15.
  • New Brunswick is reporting six new COVID cases and an outbreak at a long term care home in Campbellton.
  • For the eighth straight day, Saskatchewan has reported a double-digit increase in COVID cases. Health officials said there were 34 new cases for a total of 2,174.
  • Alberta reported 961 new cases and four deaths over the Thanksgiving weekend. There are now 97 people in hospital, 13 in intensive care. Alberta has 2,615 active cases, up from 2,225 Friday. Alberta Health is laying off some 11,000 workers in housekeeping, laundry and food services. The ministry says no frontline workers will be affected. Most of the jobs will be outsourced.
  • Across British Columbia, 549 infections have been reported since Friday, for a total of 10,734. Of the cases,  1476 are active with 77 in hospital and 24 in ICU. There have been five new deaths for a total of 250. There are 20 outbreaks in the healthcare system.
  • Canada now has seen 185,371+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,645+ deaths from the infection and 156,447+ recoveries. Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam reported the country has 19,134 active COVID-19 cases.
  • Dr. Theresa Tam said today that she believes, with proper precautions, Halloween trick or treat can proceed outdoors and a safe physical distance. People are asked to hand out individual packages of treats, rather than allow children to rummage through a bowl of candy.
  • A new report compiled by the Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) show that more than 600 incidents of anti-East Asian racism have been reported since the emergence of COVID-19. Nearly a third of the reported incidents (30 per cent) involved a form of assault, including targeted coughing, spitting or physical violence. More than a quarter of the anti-Asian racist incidents reported across Canada during the pandemic have taken place in Toronto, the CCNC report found.
  • A new report says COVID-19 has widened the gap between the haves and have-nots in Canada, amplifying the economic disparities that existed pre-pandemic. The affordability index by BDO Canada Ltd. found that while one in five Canadians say they are better off, nearly two in five say their personal finances deteriorated during the first wave.
  • Some 240,000 Canadians applied for the new Canada Relief Benefit on Monday, the first day of applications.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that Canada has secured 28.4 million rapid tests from medical device company Abbott Laboratories. The two rapid tests, Panbio and ID Now, have been proven to deliver results in less than 20 minutes.
  • Dr. Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said that the ID Now tests will be deployed possibly by the end of the week or early next week. It’ll be up to the provinces and territories on how they use these tests but suggested long-term care homes and high-risk workplace settings, such as meatpacking plants as possible places. 
  • Justin Trudeau said he would push for national standards that would govern long term care for seniors in a conference call with premiers this week. The premiers are expected to push back on that.
  • The prime minister deflected questions about the WE Charity scandal during a briefing on the COVID-19 response. The Conservatives are calling for a special Commons committee to examine the scandal.
  • Moderna Inc says Health Canada will review its experimental COVID-19 vaccine in real time, becoming the third vaccine maker in the process that may speed up approval. Health Canada is already conducting real-time reviews of COVID-19 vaccine candidates from BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc, as well as AstraZeneca. Moderna said it has begun the rolling submission in Canada following positive early results from studies of its vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273.
  • Globally, there have now been 38,006,121+ confirmed cases with 1,083,875+ deaths and 26,354,211+ recoveries.
  • Johnson & Johnson has paused the large late-stage clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine because of an “unexplained illness” in one of the volunteers, the company says. The company did not say whether the sick participant had received the experimental vaccine or a placebo. The pause was first reported by the health news website Stat.
  • China reported its first locally transmitted COVID-19 infections in nearly two months, as the city of Qingdao launched a testing drive after discovering new cases linked to a hospital designated to treat imported infections. The National Health Commission said 13 COVID-19 infections were reported on Oct. 12, down from 21 a day earlier. Seven of the new cases were imported infections that originated from overseas, while all six local cases were reported in the eastern province of Shandong, where Qingdao is located. The last time China reported local COVID-19 transmissions was on Aug. 15, when a total of four confirmed cases were reported in Xinjiang.
  • Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has COVID-19.
  • The number of daily COVID-19 infections in The Netherlands on Tuesday was a record 7,393 cases. The number of deaths rose by 34. Also on Tuesday, an 89-year-old Dutch woman, who was infected with COVID-19 for the second time this year, has died. This is, according to the NOS, the first death of a person in The Netherlands who was infected twice.
  • The Dutch government is expected to issue additional measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. One of the most densely populated nations on the planet, Holland has seen 194,550+ cases and 6,689+ deaths.

Oct. 12

  • Ottawa Public Health reported 119 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,546 cases since the first wave of infections in the city began in March. The death toll remained at 297. Thirty-eight people are in hospital. Nine are in intensive care. There are 833 active cases and there have been 4,411 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 45 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now seen 86,976 confirmed cases, up by 843. The death toll rose by 12 to 5,965. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 20 to 457 with 75 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 19,161 tests on Oct. 10 for a total of 2,657,088. 
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,799 cases so far up 23. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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.
  • Ontario’s case total is 59,139. The province will release daily numbers on Tuesday. The death toll is 3,005. There were 217 people in hospital in the province on Sunday. There were 5,697 actives cases.
  • Ontario announced it had completed 44,138 Sunday for a total of 4,394,461. Some 45,837 tests were pending.
  • The Red Cross is to help out at seven Ottawa-area long-term care homes. The news was delivered by federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair who tweeted: “Today, our government approved a request for the @redcrosscanada to help assess and stabilize the situation in 7 long term care facilities in Ottawa. Working together, we will get through this.” The administrators of at least three long-term care homes in the Ottawa area say they were blindsided by news the Canadian Red Cross was being sent into their facilities, CBC reports.
  • Warning: OC Transpo will fine people not wearing masks without a good reason starting Tuesday.
  • Manitoba saw two deaths linked to COVID-19 on Thanksgiving Monday, including a man in his 40s who is believed to be the youngest person in the province to die from the virus. There were 77 new cases reported, 56 in Winnipeg.
  • Canada now has seen 182,839+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,627+ deaths from the infection and 154,258+ recoveries.
  • Canadian universities could lose as much as $3.4 billion this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Canada has projected, in large part due to a decrease in the number of foreign students. Tuition fees make up an increasingly large portion of university revenues, the agency said. In 2013-2014, tuition fees accounted for 24.7 per cent of school funding, while they made up 29.4 per cent in 2018-2019.
  • Reminder: Applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) are now open. The program helps workers who are not eligible for EI or one of the other new recovery benefits. 
  • Globally, there have now been 37,706,961+ confirmed cases with 1,078,068+ deaths and 26,172,754+ recoveries.
  • Europe surpassed 100,000 daily reported COVID-19 cases for the first time last week. Cases continued to grow over the weekend.
  • The Czech Republic has Europe’s highest rate of coronavirus infection, with 433 cases per 100,000 people in the past 14 days. The total number of cases rose to 117,110 on Monday in the country of 10.7 million.
  • Russia reported its highest daily coronavirus cases ever on Sunday at 13,634 cases, prompting Moscow authorities to consider closing bars and nightclubs. Russia has the fourth-highest case toll in the world, behind the U.S., India and Brazil.
  • France saw more than 26,000 new cases on Saturday — its highest daily toll since the pandemic started as bars and restaurants shuttered in a number of cities there last week.
  • In the United Kingdom, where nearly 13,000 new cases were reported on Sunday, the British government is expected to announce a three-tier system of restrictions to simplify the rules and avoid confusion. Britain has experienced Europe’s deadliest outbreak, with an official death toll of 42,825, up another 65 on Sunday.
  • A new study has found that the novel coronavirus can survive and remain infectious on some surfaces — including bank notes such as those used in Canada — for at least 28 days, provided the temperature is right.
  • Researchers tested the virus on several surfaces, including cotton and bank notes, at numerous temperatures. They found that the virus dies significantly faster on surfaces in hotter temperatures and can survive on several non-porous surfaces for up to four weeks — much longer than previous studies have indicated.

Oct. 11

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 649 today. That raised the provincial total to 59,139. The death toll rose by one to 3,005. There are 217 people in hospital in the province, up four, with 51 in intensive care, up three, 32 on a ventilator, up three. There are 5,697 active cases. There are 157 new cases in Peel, 140 in Toronto, 87 in York Region and 54 in Ottawa. There are 705 more resolved cases for a total of 50,437 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 44,138 in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,394,461. Some 45,837 tests are pending.
  • There are 58 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 146 residents with an infection and 197 staff. Two more residents have died. So far in the pandemic, 1,961 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 54 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,427 cases since March. The death toll remained at 297. Thirty-seven people are in hospital. Nine are in intensive care. There are 816 active cases and there have been 4,313 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 44 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now seen 86,133 confirmed cases, up by 942. The death toll rose by three to 5,953. The number of people admitted to hospital fell by seven to 437 with 72 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 24,503 tests on Oct. 9 for a total of 2,637,927. A website maintained by a citizen says that 948 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 975 schools are now reporting a case. So far 2,669 students and 666 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,776 cases so far, up 31. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — entered a red alert zone Sunday. 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, 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.
  • Canada now has seen 181,617+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,610+ deaths from the infection and 152,040+ recoveries.
  • Reminder: Applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) open on Oct. 12. The program helps workers who are not eligible for EI or one of the other new recovery benefits. 
  • Globally, there have now been 37,267,921+ confirmed cases with 1,073,780+ deaths and 25,923,754+ recoveries.

Oct. 10

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 809 today. That raised the provincial total to 58,490. The death toll rose by seven to 3,004. There are 213 people in hospital in the province, down 12, with 48 in intensive care, up one, 29 on a ventilator. There are 5,754 actives cases. There are 358 new cases in Toronto, 123 in Peel, 94 in Ottawa and 76 in York Region. There are 700 more resolved cases for a total of 49,732 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 44,298 in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,350,323. Some 56,138 tests are pending.
  • There are 58 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 150 residents with an infection and 187 staff. Six more residents have died. So far in the pandemic, 1,961 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 94 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,373 cases since March. The death toll rose by one to 297. Thirty-nine people are in hospital. Nine are in intensive care. There are 847 active cases and there have been 4,229 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 42 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 25 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • Quebec has now seen 85,191 confirmed cases, up by 1,097. The death toll rose by 14 to 5,950. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 11 to 444 with 73 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 28,773 tests on Oct. 8 for a total of 2,613,424. A website maintained by a citizen says that 928 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 1,016 schools are reporting a case and 2,542 students and 647 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,745 cases, up by 53 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. Parts of the region — Gatineau and the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais — will enter a red alert zone Sunday, the province says. 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, 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.
  • Canada now has seen 180,026+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,606+ deaths from the infection and 151,335+ recoveries.
  • While the Canada-U.S. land border is closed to non-essential traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians can still fly to the United States for leisure travel. CBC has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 37,019,381+ confirmed cases with 1,069,953+ deaths and 25,711,805+ recoveries.
  • Donald Trump appeared in public on the Truman Balcony of the White House where he addressed a crowd on the south lawn of the presidential residence. His appearance happened as cases of COVID-19 are surging again in the United States where there have been 7.708,766+ confirmed cases along with 214,302+ deaths. There were more than 57,000 confirmed cases reported in the past 24 hours.

Oct. 9

  • The Ontario cabinet has decided to send Toronto. Peel Region and Ottawa into a modified Stage 2 of opening beginning Saturday. This will mean that indoor dining will end, gym and fitness centres, bingo halls casinos, cinemas, performing arts centres and racetracks will shut. Bars and clubs will close. Meeting spaces can open to a maximum of 10 people, but may close. Schools will remain open. These restrictions will be in force for the next 28 days. The gathering limit is 10 people indoors and 25 outside.
  • Ontario’s daily case count was a record-setting 939 today. That raised the provincial total to 57,681. The death toll rose by five to 2,997. There are 225 people in hospital in the province, up nineteen, with 47 in intensive care, 29 on a ventilator. There are 5,652 actives cases. There there are 336 new cases in Toronto, 150 in Peel and 126 in Ottawa. There are 724 more resolved cases for a total of 49,032 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 44,914 in the past 24 hours for a total of 4,306,025. Some 58,173 tests are pending.
  • There are 56 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up four. There are 145 residents with an infection and 178 staff. One more residents has died. So far in the pandemic, 1,956 residents have died because of COVID-19 infection.
  • There are 429 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. In Ottawa three schools are closed because of an outbreak: St. Jerome Elementary School in Riverside South where two staff members at the school had tested positive is the latest. The other two are École Horizon-Jeunesse and École secondaire catholique Franco-Cité.
  • The City of Toronto has suspended some recreation programs affecting some 20,000 people effective Oct. 13, these programs and services are suspended: registered and instructional programs such as learn to skate and swim programs, dance, group fitness and wellness programs; hockey games and scrimmages; drop-in sports programs other than leisure and lane swim and leisure skate; table tennis, billiards, foosball; access to the city’s two conservatories and indoor permits for social gatherings and sport games/group fitness.
  • There have been 876 cases of infection in schools; 482 students, 149 staff and 245 not identified.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 126 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,279 cases since March. The death toll remained at 296. Thirty-four people are in hospital. Eight are in intensive care. There are 875 active cases and there have been 4,108 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 40 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres. There are three other outbreaks.
  • A new daily increase in COVID-19 patients admitted into critical care this week is a spike not seen in Ontario since June, according to new data obtained by CBC News.
  • Quebec has now seen 84,094 confirmed cases, up by 1,102. The death toll rose by 21 to 5,936. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by eight to 433 with 67 in intensive care, down one. The province completed 29,387 tests on Oct. 7 for a total of 2,584,651. A website maintained by a citizen says that 928 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 1,016 schools are reporting a case and 2,542 students and 647 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,692 cases, up by 31 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of 10 regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Nine regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Three more Manitobans have died after COVID-19 outbreaks at two Winnipeg long-term care homes. Eighty-four new cases are being reported across the province with 64 in the provincial capital.
  • New Brunswick reported 13 more COVID cases today. There are 37 active cases in the province. According to Public Health, there are three people hospitalized. To date, 238 cases have been reported and New Brunswick has seen 199 recoveries.
  • Alberta’s premier says the province will not be following Ontario’s lead in imposing new restrictions because of a jump in cases of COVID-19. Numbers have jumped in Alberta, especially in Edmonton, but Jason Kenney says his government will continue to take a lighter approach when it comes to restrictions.
  • Alberta recorded 277 new cases of COVID-19 Friday and one additional death related to the disease. There were 80 cases of COVID-19 linked to the outbreak at the long-term care centre, according to an update Friday afternoon from Shepherd’s Care. Of the cases, 53 were in residents and 27 were in staff members. Seven of the 53 residents with COVID-19 have died. There were 2,225 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, 1,329 of which in the Edmonton zone. Of the 277 new cases reported Friday, 157 — or nearly 57 per cent — were in the Edmonton zone.
  • British Columbia has registered its 10,000th case of COVID-19. There were 110 new cases today. B.C. has a total of 10,066 cases of the virus to date. There are 1,394 active cases and 3,139 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. Seventy-six people are in hospital, 17 in critical care. There was one new death, bringing that total to 245.
  • Canada now has seen 178,018+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,588+ deaths from the infection and 149,244+ recoveries.
  • Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said there were 2,400 new cases recorded across the country on Thursday – the highest one-day increase in reported cases since the start of the pandemic. She said it’s vital that Canadians limit their contacts and deny the virus opportunities to spread.
  • Tam released projections showing that the national caseload could climb to 197,830 by Oct. 17, with up to 9,800 deaths. The virus is spreading most rapidly in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, and each new case in Canada is spreading infection to more than one person. She urged Canadians to cut contacts by 25 per cent.
  • The public health official warned Canada could see 5,000 cases a day if the current spike cannot be flattened.
  • “We’re at a tipping point in this pandemic. Not only is the second wave underway, yesterday we hit the highest daily recorded cases, well above what saw this spring,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “We flattened the curve before, we can do it again.” 
  • Trudeau announced an overhauled rent relief program, which the government said will now allow businesses to apply directly for relief through the Canada Revenue Agency. The old program was criticized because it depended on buy-in from landlords, who were under no obligation to participate.
  • The federal government also says some targeted aid is coming for some businesses hit by closures as a second wave of COVID-19 hits parts of the country. The exact amount will be announced in subsequent days.
  • As well, the federal government will send $100 million more to food banks across the country.
  • Canada’s economy created 378,000 jobs in September, even as COVID-19 cases surged. Some 334,000 were full-time positions, according to Statistics Canada.
  • Health Canada will start a real-time review of Germany’s BioNTech SE and Pfizer Inc’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine, the companies said on Friday. The companies said they would submit safety and efficacy data from the trial of their COVID-19 vaccine to Canada’s health ministry under a rolling submission as and when it becomes available.
  • Globally, there have now been 36,542,723+ confirmed cases with 1,062,360+ deaths and 25,477,352+ recoveries.
  • Spain has declared a state of emergency in Madrid because of rising cases. Spain has seen 861,112+ cases overall along with 32,929+ deaths.

Oct. 8

  • Ontario’s daily case count was a record-setting 797 today. That raised the provincial total to 56,742. The death toll rose by four to 2,992. There are 206 people in hospital in the province, up nine, with 47 in intensive care, up four, 29 on a ventilator, up one. There are 5,442 active cases. There are 265 new cases in Toronto, 183 in Ottawa, 134 in Peel and 78 in York Region. There are 695 more resolved cases for a total of 48,308 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 48,488 tests for a total of 4,261,111.
  • There are 57 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up four. There are 153 residents with an infection and 172 staff. Three more residents have died.
  • There are 415 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. Two are closed at present. There have been 822 cases of infection in schools; 453 students, 139 staff and 203 not identified.
  • Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman says complaints about long-term care homes shot up by over 370 per cent from March 1 to June 30 — and is now issuing recommendations to help the sector manage rising case counts of COVID-19. As of Wednesday, the province was reporting 1,952 resident deaths in long-term care, representing just over 65 per cent of the province’s overall COVID-19 death rate.
  • Dr. David Williams, the province’s chief medical officer of health, told reporters Thursday there was growing cause for concern over the rise in novel coronavirus cases and to “stay tuned” about possible new public health measures as cases rise and positivity rates go up. 
  • Ottawa Public Health reported a shocking new record of 183 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 5,153 cases since March. The death toll rose one to 296. Thirty-two people are in hospital. Seven are in intensive care. There are 879 active cases and there have been 3,978 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 40 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 24 in schools and child-care centres.
  • One person who showed up at an indoor wedding in Ottawa with mild symptoms kicked off a chain reaction of transmission that saw 22 people infected and more than 200 people forced to self-isolate in just 15 days. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) shared a diagram on Twitter on Thursday morning to illustrate how quickly the the virus can spread in large group settings when precautions aren’t taken.
  • Quebec has now seen 82,992 confirmed cases, up by 1,078. The death toll rose by nine to 5,915. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 16 to 425 with 68 in intensive care, up six. The province completed 29,949 tests on Oct. 6 for a total of 2,555,264. A website maintained by a citizen says that 904 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 975 schools are reporting a case and 2,378 students and 609 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,661 cases, up by 32 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of 10 regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Nine regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Trois-Rivieres, Portneuf, Becancourt, Nicolet-Yamaska and Drummond are entering the red zone. Most red zone measures will be in force as of Saturday, but those concerning schools will be applied a few days later. 
  • Ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, police checkpoints will be erected in certain areas across the province at the request of regional health — to remind people of government recommendations regarding travel between regions. 
  • School board elections have been delayed in Quebec’s English system because of the pandemic. Quebec Premier François Legault made the announcement during Wednesday’s news briefing, but could not say when the elections will instead be held. Elections were scheduled for Nov. 1, but the majority of candidates have already been acclaimed.
  • There are 67 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba on Thursday, 57 in the Winnipeg health region. Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin previously said a test positivity rate higher than three per cent would indicate significant community spread. That rate in Winnipeg is now 3.3 per cent.
  • Canada now has seen 174,998+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,554+ deaths from the infection and 147,211+ recoveries.
  • At least 10 per cent of Canadian parents have had a child sent home from school because of COVID-19-related symptoms since classes restarted, a new survey has found. Children First Canada and Abacus Data found that 13 per cent of parents in Canada have had a child sent home from school, leaving them to struggle with adjusting schedules while waiting for COVID-19 test results.
  • Dr. Theresa Tam says the second wave of COVID-19 is showing up in Canada as a series of regional epidemics. Ontario and Quebec account for 80 per cent of recent new cases, but British Columbia and Manitoba are seeing more daily diagnoses than they did in the spring.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada says the country has had an average of 2,052 new cases a day for the past week, with 18 deaths a day and 673 people in hospital.
  • Canada’s Privacy Commissioner is urging the federal government to create better laws to protect Canadians’ privacy as the global pandemic has forced many to work from home and use more digital tools.
  • Statistics Canada reports that total investment in building construction increased 5.0 per cent to $16 billion in August. Residential sector investment increased 8.2 per cent to $10.8 billion, while non-residential investment decreased 1.2 per cent to $5.2 billion. As construction companies pushed to catch up on work delayed earlier in the spring, August saw construction investment reach a record high. However, on a year-to-date basis total investment was 3.7 per cent lower than for the same period in 2019.
  • Globally, there have now been 36,349,500+ confirmed cases with 1,058,698+ deaths and 25,292,503+ recoveries.
  • Federal agents and state officials say they have thwarted a plot by a far-right militia group to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and violently overthrow state governments. The FBI has arrested six men in connection with the alleged conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer. Seven other men were arrested on terror-related charges at the state level.
  • The suspects were allegedly plotting to grab Whitmer from her vacation home in northern Michigan before the U.S. presidential election.
  • Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says the seven terror suspects were linked to a militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today, “of course what happens in the United States is going to be impacting Canada after the election. But our job is to be ready for all outcomes. … I think we’re certainly all hoping for a smooth transition or a clear result from the election. Like many people around the world, if it is less clear there may be some disruptions and we need to be ready for any outcomes and I think that’s what Canadians would expect from their governments and we’re certainly reflecting on that.”

Oct. 7

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 583 today. That raised the provincial total to 55,945. The death toll rose by one to 2,988. There are 195 people in hospital in the province, up three, with 43 in intensive care, up two, 28 on a ventilator, up two. There are 5,344 active cases. There are 173 new cases in Toronto, 117 in Ottawa, 75 in York Region and 70 in Peel. Sixty per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although case counts in other age cohorts are rising. There are 707 more resolved cases for a total of 47,613 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 43,277 tests for a total of 4,212,623. Another 55,413 are in the backlog waiting to be completed.
  • There are 53 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak, up two. There are 154 residents with an infection and 165 staff. One more resident has died.
  • There are 379 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. Two are closed at present. There have been 722 cases of infection in schools; 402 students, 117 staff and 203 not identified.
  • Premier Doug Ford reiterated that he feels that “only a few bad actors” in the restaurant and bar sector are contributing to outbreaks in those industries. The premier again said he is reluctant to shut down those industries, even in hotspots like Toronto and Ottawa.
  • “We can’t paint them all with a broad brush, and we can’t just shut down people’s livelihoods with a broad brush,” Ford said.
  • New information reveals areas of Toronto, including Doug Ford’s own neighbourhood, are seeing positivity rates exceeding 10 per cent.
  • Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, said this is “very concerning” information and these rates are “too high.” She also recommended that case follow-up be prioritized in these areas of Toronto.
  • Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer, called this a “worrisome” trend and said positivity rates should be kept under five per cent. “It is an indication that more public health measures are needed and there is uncontained community spread,” federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said. 
  • Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said she wants to see more people who are positive keying in their unique code to better alert Canadians of possible exposures.
  • “That’s not happening sufficiently,” she said, admitting the app is not a “perfect system” but still a useful tool.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 117 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,970 cases since March. The death toll remains at 295. Twenty-eight people are in hospital. Six are in intensive care. There are 810 active cases and there have been 3,865 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 37 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 23 in schools and child-care centres.
  • OC Transpo is about the start handing out warnings to people who still aren’t following the masking rules. Operation Mask Up begins on Friday and will run for two weeks. After that? Fines are likely.
  • The transportation authority in charge of yellow buses for Ottawa’s English school boards is pleading with parents to notify them if their children don’t need a ride. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • The CEO of CHEO, Alex Munter, is calling on the province to close indoor dining in restaurants, bars and event centres with financial support as COVID spreads in the province.
  • Quebec has now seen 81,914 confirmed cases, up by 900. The death toll rose by seven to 5,906. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 12 to 409 with 62 in intensive care, down five. The province completed 24,399 tests on Oct. 5 for a total of 2,525,315. A website maintained by a citizen says that 867 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 930 schools are reporting a case and 2,248 students and 584 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,629 cases, up by 49 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of 10 regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Eight regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • The Aylmer Minor Hockey Association said it’s suspending all hockey operations Tuesday, after learning of an outbreak of COVID-19 among participants in a hockey league for adults. The association said the suspension is for activities scheduled until Oct. 20. Two volunteer coaches in the association have also tested positive, the league said. The suspension affects just under 1,000 young players who play for the Aylmer Mariniers.
  • New Brunswick is reporting 17 new cases of COVID-19 infection stemming from an outbreak at the Notre-Dame Manor, a special care home in Moncton. There are now 19 cases from this outbreak.
  • Canada now has seen 172,806+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,538+ deaths from the infection and 145,403+ recoveries.
  • A Business Development Bank of Canada survey says the top priority of business owners in Canada is getting their financial houses in order, including reducing operating costs and improving cash flow. Investing in technology along with remote work, online sales and reviving growth were other key areas.
  • The study found that small- and medium-sized businesses were hit hard by the crisis, with 76 per cent reporting a decline in revenues and profits during the pandemic. Nearly half ending up laying off staff, while about 39 per cent of entrepreneurs took on more debt.
  • Still, 87 per cent of entrepreneurs are confident they will make it through the crisis
  • The Globe and Mail reports that internal government e-mails show at least one senior manager at the Public Health Agency of Canada believed the decision that caused the country’s pandemic early warning system to go silent last year was a mistake.
  • Researchers in Canada are hoping a century-old vaccine designed to treat tuberculosis can become the key to fighting off a COVID-19 infection. The University Health Network in Toronto announced on Monday that it has begun the first Canadian trial of the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccine on more than 3,600 front-line workers in the area, including medical staff, paramedics, police officers and firefighters.
  • Globally, there have now been 35,970,265+ confirmed cases with 1,052,105+ deaths and 25,031,149+ recoveries.
  • Donald Trump‘s doctors say the U.S. President is now symptom-free. Meanwhile there are now 20 people in the White House infected including senior advisor Stephen Miller and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. The United States has seen 7,535,794+ cases along with 211,513+ deaths.

Oct. 6

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 548 today. That raised the provincial total to 55,362. The death toll rose by seven to 2,987. There are 192 people in hospital in the province with 41 in intensive care, 26 on a ventilator. There are 5,469 active cases. There are 201 new cases in Toronto, 90 in Peel, 63 in Ottawa and 56 in York Region. Sixty-one per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although case counts in other age cohorts are rising. There are 546 more resolved cases for a total of 46,906 recoveries.
  • Ontario completed 42,031 tests for a total of 4,169,346. As of Monday morning, Ontario recorded a testing backlog of approximately 68,000. 
  • There are 51 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 136 residents with an infection and 165 staff. Two more residents have died.
  • There are 347 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. Two are closed at present. There have been 611 cases of infection in schools; 333 students, 102 staff and 176 not identified.
  • In parts of Toronto, more than 10 per cent of COVID-19 tests are positive, the Toronto Star reports.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 63 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,853 cases since March. The death toll rose by one to 295. Twenty-seven people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 805 active cases and there have been 3,753 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 32 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 23 in schools and child-care centres.
  • The city’s Finance and Economic Development Committee (FEDCo) has unanimously approved raising the overall property tax rate by three per cent next year or a $115 increase for most urban residents and $88 for rural residents. Bus and LRT fares are to increase by 2.5 per cent and the transit levy will be increased by 4.6 per cent. Mayor Jim Watson has directed city staff to find a way to freeze transit fares for low-income residents.
  • Contact tracing for COVID-19 in Ottawa will no longer involve directly calling low-priority people who’ve tested positive, in order to manage a system the city’s medical of health says is “nearly broken.” OPH will now be restricting direct phone calls to those at high risk of spreading the virus to vulnerable communities like schools or long-term care facilities. The rest will now receive automated calls and online messages.  
  • Ottawa Public Health is advising people to only celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend with members of their immediate household, even if gatherings are held outside. 
  • Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canadians should hold virtual Thanksgiving celebrations this year.
  • CHEO researchers have launched a study to understand how and why some family members develop immunity to COVID-19 when exposed to someone in the same household who has tested positive for the disease. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
  • The winner of Ottawa’s first pandemic era election is Catherine Kitts. She is the new councillor for Cumberland Ward on Ottawa City Council.
  • Quebec has now seen 81,014 confirmed cases, sharply up by 1,364. The death toll rose by 15 to 5,899. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 36 to 397 with 67 in intensive care, up five. The province completed 20,339 tests on Oct. 4 for a total of 2,500,916. A website maintained by a citizen says that 844 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 822 schools are reporting a case and 1,896 students and 493 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,580 cases, up by 66 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of 10 regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Eight regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Health Minister Christian Dube denies that health officials were caught off guard by the second wave.
  • “The severity and the speed at which the second wave is hitting, I’m glad we were ready. But we cannot control the way people react to these measures,” said Dube. “So we need to repeat this message as many times as possible: ‘You can make a difference today.'”
  • New Brunswick health officials said on Tuesday that an outbreak has been declared at Notre-Dame Manor, a special care home in Moncton, after two residents tested positive. The care home has 112 residents and 56 employees.
  • Manitoba, meanwhile, is seeing 56 new cases, one more death and a record 27 people in hospital.
  • Canada now has seen 170,872+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,526+ deaths from the infection and 143,733+ recoveries.
  • Canada said on Tuesday that it had signed a deal with Abbott to purchase up to 20.5 million Panbio COVID-19 antigen tests as Health Canada approved the device, the first of its kind in Canada. The disposable swab test may help ease pressure on testing sites and labs in Ontario and Quebec, where cases are surging and some patients must wait a week or longer for results. It works in 15 minutes, and is similar to Abbot’s BinaxNOW, already on the market in the United States.
  • Health Canada is looking into reports that a number of for-profit health clinics are administering COVID-19 tests to Canadians looking to bypass long wait times.
  • The NHL is holding its amateur draft tonight. The New York Rangers will select first and are expected to take forward Alexis Lafreniere. The Ottawa Senators have the picks — Nos. 3, 5 and 28 — in the first round. The Sens took German star forward Tim Stutzle at No. 3, American defenceman Jake Sanderson at No. 5 and Brandon Wheat Kings winger Ridly Greig.
  • Globally, there have now been 35,511,291+ confirmed cases with 1,044,490+ deaths and 24,770,288+ recoveries.
  • Facebook removed a post by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday after he falsely claimed COVID-19 can be less deadly than the seasonal flu. The post was also flagged by Twitter for “misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19.” But the social media company left up the tweet saying it “may be in the public’s interest.”
  • In the United States there have now been 7,488,372+ confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with 210,637+ deaths.

Oct. 5

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 615 today. That raised the provincial total to 54,814. The death toll rose by five to 2,980. There are 176 people in hospital in the province, up seven, with 43 in intensive care, 26 on a ventilator. There are 5,474 active cases. there are 289 new cases in Toronto, 88 in Peel and 81 in Ottawa. Fifty-eight per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although cases in other age categories are rising. There are 541 more resolved cases for a total of 46,360 recoveries. Ontario completed 38,196 tests for a total of 4,127,315.
  • There are 50 long-term care homes reporting an outbreak. There are 124 residents with an infection and 158 staff. One resident has died.
  • There are 335 schools with a reported case of COVID-19. Three are closed. There have been 539 cases of infection in schools; 293 students, 92 staff and 154 not identified.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford is rejecting calls for indoor dining to be ordered closed at restaurants in some areas of the province amid rising COVID-19 cases, saying there isn’t enough evidence to make such a decision.
  • The Ontario government is investing $741 million to help clear the backlog of surgeries and build more capacity in the health care system to effectively manage surges and outbreaks in COVID-19 cases.
  • Ontario’s Ministry of Health is hoping to hire 600 additional contact tracers and case managers over five weeks to help hard hit local health units.
  • Premier Ford said maintaining staffing and procuring reagents — the ingredients for any chemical-based test — have both proven difficult in recent days. “Right now, we have an issue with getting enough diagnostic lab technicians,” Ford said.
  • Toronto Public Health is expected to get up to 200 more staff. Another 150 workers will be assigned to assist Ottawa Public Health. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said adding a modest number of contact tracers will do little to reduce the backlog in her city.
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised more support for local public health units in emerging COVID-19 hotspots. The government has signed agreements with Alberta, Ontario and Quebec to supply federal bureaucrats to help those provinces with their contact tracing.
  • Trudeau also announced some federal laboratories will be re-purposed to help provinces ramp up testing. He said the labs will run 1,000 tests a day in Ontario, with more capacity to be brought online in the coming days.
  • The province will also spend $35 million to hire teachers for hard hit regions such as Peel, Ottawa, Toronto and York Region. to enhance public health measures and protection strategies as they confront higher rates of transmission in their communities.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 81 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,790 cases since March. The death toll rose by one to 294. Twenty-nine people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 847 active cases and there have been 3,649 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 29 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 19 in schools and child-care centres.
  • Quebec has now seen 79,650 confirmed cases, up by 1,191. The death toll rose by six to 5,884. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 27 to 361 with 62 in intensive care, down two. The province completed 25,203 tests on Oct. 3 for a total of 2,480,577. A website maintained by a citizen says that 811 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 674 schools are reporting a case and 1,716 students and 425 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,514 cases, up by 29 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of 10 regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Eight regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • High school students in Quebec’s red zones will have to wear a mask in class and on school grounds starting Thursday, as the Quebec government tightens health measures. Students in grade 10 and 11 will attend school every other day, and take part in online learning on the other days.
  • The province is also making masks mandatory in schoolyards for students in Grades 4 to 11.
  • All in-person courses in CEGEPs and universities are also expected to be officially suspended in red zones.
  • Meanwhile, all gyms and indoor sports facilities in red zones will be shutting because it was becoming difficult to trace people’s contacts in these areas. Team sports are also expected to be banned today, but individual or pair sports, such as running, will be maintained. 
  • Quebec will also join the list of provinces adopting the federal COVID-19 tracking app.
  • Manitoba public health officials announced 51 new cases of COVID-19. These new cases bring the total number of active cases in the province to 739 – the majority in the Winnipeg region. The province is introducing restrictions on restaurants and bars in the region to curb the growing number of cases, which includes a ban on liquor sale and service after 10 p.m. Winnipeg has a test positivity rate of three per cent.
  • Saskatchewan reported on Monday nine new cases of COVID-19. The province said 143 cases are considered active. Since the pandemic began, there have been 1,968 cases and 1,801 recoveries and 24 deaths.
  • Alberta reported eight more deaths over the past three days and an alarming 578 new cases — 97 cases Friday, 263 on Saturday and 218 on Sunday. Of particular concern is the rise in cases in Edmonton, said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s medical officer of health.
  • On the other hand, two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New Brunswick on Monday, raising the number of active cases in the province to five. There were 484 new tests done on Sunday bringing the total number of tests done for COVID-19 to 80,455. There have been 203 confirmed cases in the province. To date, 196 have recovered and there have been two deaths. 
  • Canada now has seen 168,432+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,500+ deaths from the infection and 142,032+ recoveries.
  • Canadians can now apply for a new federal caregiver benefit. Canadian households will be able to apply for $500 per week for up to 26 weeks when one person misses more than half a week of work because they have to care for a child because of the illness. That includes children whose schools or daycares are closed, and children who are forced to miss school or daycare because they have contracted the virus or may have been exposed. The benefit, through the Canada Revenue Agency, also covers people forced to miss work to care for family members whose specialized care is unavailable. The federal government expects 700,000 Canadians will apply.
  • Canadians will also be able to access a new sick-leave benefit that pays up to $1,000 over two weeks for those unable to work because they have COVID-19 or are forced to self-isolate because of the virus. About 4.4 million Canadians are expected to apply for sick leave.
  • Canada put health-care workers at risk of contracting COVID-19 and taking it home to their families because it failed to learn lessons from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003, a new report says. The report, titled “A Time of Fear: How Canada Failed Our Health-Care Workers and Mismanaged COVID-19,” that the safety of workers, from those in long-term care homes to respiratory technicians and nurses and doctors in hospitals, has been ignored. Canada’s infection rate among health-care workers is four times that of China, the report says.
  • Globally, there have now been 35,339,125+ confirmed cases with 1,039,120+ deaths and 24,571,309+ recoveries.
  • Donald Trump has been discharged from hospital. He headed back to the White House chomping at the bit to get back to the election campaign. This morning he tweeted: “I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!” What the…
  • The United States has now seen 7,445,897+ confirmed cases and 210,013+ deaths.

Oct. 4

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 566 today. That raised the provincial total to 54,199. The death toll rose by seven to 2,975. There are 169 people in hospital in the province, up 14, with 41 in intensive care, 23 on a ventilator. There are 5,405 active cases. There are 196 new cases in Toronto, 123 in Peel and 81 in Ottawa. Sixty-two per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40. There are 534 more resolved cases for a total of 45,819 recoveries. Ontario completed 45,285 tests for a total of 4,049,458.
  • The provincial government now says getting a COVID-19 test will be done by appointment only starting Oct. 6. Assessment centres were to stop offering walk-in tests today to allow Ontario’s network of labs to work through a backlog of tests that was more than 90,500 Friday.
  • Residents of Ontario’s long-term care homes described the emotional devastation caused by the COVID-19 lockdown to an independent inquiry — and implored governments to address isolation before the second wave of COVID-19 crashes down. Lonely, depressed, muzzled and trapped are some of the words the residents used to describe the pandemic to the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission by video conference. The Canadian Press has more.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 96 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,708 cases since March. The death toll remained at 293. Twenty-seven people are in hospital. Five are in intensive care. There are 810 active cases and there have been 3,605 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 27 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 20 in schools and child-care centres.
  • The Ottawa Boys and Girls club has closed the Ron Kolbus clubhouse because six people who were recently in the space have tested positive. 
  • Quebec has now seen 78,459 confirmed cases, up by 1,079. The death toll rose by 11 to 5,878. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by eight to 334 with 64 in intensive care, up four. The province completed 27,453 tests on Oct. 2 for a total of 2,455,374. A website maintained by a citizen says that 760 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 674 schools are reporting a case and 1,716 students and 425 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,485 cases, up by 39 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of ten regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Eight regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Canada now has seen 166,156+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,481+ deaths from the infection and 140,243+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 35,011,322+ confirmed cases with 1,034,865+ deaths and 24,364,562+ recoveries.
  • Donald Trump‘s doctors say he could be discharged from Walter Reed Hospital as early as Monday. But questions persist about his condition and about when and how he was infected with COVID-19. Meanwhile, the United States has seen 7,418,596+ cases. There have been 209,807+ deaths.

Oct. 3

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 653 today. That raised the provincial total to 53,633. The death toll rose by 41 to 2,968. There are 155 people in hospital in the province, with 41 in intensive care, 23 on a ventilator. There are 5,380 active cases. There are 284 new cases in Toronto, 104 in Peel and 97 in Ottawa. Sixty-four per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although case counts are growing in other age groups. There are 435 more resolved cases for a total of 45,285 recoveries. Ontario completed 45,285 tests for a total of 4,049,458.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 96 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,626 cases since March. The death toll rose by two to 293. Twenty-five people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 786 active cases and there have been 3,547 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 24 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 18 in schools and child-care centres.
  • Quebec has now seen 77,380 confirmed cases, up by 1,107. The death toll rose by 10 to 5,867. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 24 to 326 with 60 in intensive care, up 11. The province completed 28,778 tests on Oct. 1 for a total of 2,427,921. A website maintained by a citizen says that 733 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 674 schools are reporting a case and 1,716 students and 425 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,446 cases, up by 23 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of ten regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Seven regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Canada now has seen 164,456+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,461+ deaths from the infection and 138,854+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 34,666,560+ confirmed cases with 1,029,394+ deaths and 24,089,748+ recoveries.
  • Donald Trump‘s doctor says the U.S. President is doing well as he is being treated with a cocktail of experimental drugs for COVID-19 in the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. But questions are swirling about how sick he actually is, when he actually tested positive and whether he was given oxygen on Friday because of breathing difficulties. Trump will remain in hospital for the forseeable future.

Oct. 2

  • Ontario’s daily case count spiked to 732 today. That raised the provincial total to 52,980. The death toll rose by 76 to 2,927. There are 167 people in hospital in the province, up five, with 38 in intensive care, up two, 21 on a ventilator, up four. There are 5,203 active cases. there are 323 new cases in Toronto, 141 in Ottawa and 111 in Peel. Fifty-eight per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although case counts are growing in other age groups. There are 428 more resolved cases for a total of 44,850 recoveries. Ontario completed 40,093 tests for a total of 4,003,204.
  • There are more than 82,000 backlogged tests in Ontario. CTV News reports that some people are waiting for more than a week for test results.
  • There are 44 long term care homes in Ontario with an outbreak, down four. There are 96 residents with active cases and 137 staff. There has been one new resident death. There are 318 schools with a COVID-19 case and one is closed.
  • Ontario is putting a pause on social circles, asking people across the province to now only come in close contact with those inside their household.
  • Premier Doug Ford also declared new restrictions for certain businesses in three COVID-19 hotspots including Ottawa. As of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Ottawa and Peel Region must limit capacity to 100. Toronto Public Health has already decided to limit capacity to 75.
  • There is now a maximum of six people allowed per table and each customer’s contact information must be collected for contact tracing. Group exercise classes in gyms and fitness centres will now be limited to 10 and the facility must limit its capacity to 50 people.
  • Banquet halls and event spaces must limit six people per table and have no more than 50 people in the facility at a time.
  • Ontario has also paused any further reopening for the next 28 days.
  • The government has also implemented a province-wide mandatory mask order for indoor public settings, including businesses, facilities and workplaces.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported a record 142 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,530 cases since March. The death toll rose by two to 291. Twenty-four people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care. There are 767 active cases and there have been 3,472 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 23 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 22 in schools and child-care centres.
  • Ottawa’s medical officer of health says the city’s entire health-care system is on the verge of collapse if individuals don’t take personal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19.
  • “Our health system is in crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Vera Etches said during a video teleconference Friday morning. 
  • Residents of Ottawa’s West End Villa and their families have launched a $16-million class-action suit against Extendicare, the owner of the long-term care home where 19 people have died in a COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Quebec has now seen 75,221 confirmed cases, up by 1,052. The death toll rose by seven to 5,857. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 27 to 302 with 49 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 30,948 tests on Sept. 30 for a total of 2,399,143. A website maintained by a citizen says that 697 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 631 schools are reporting a case and 1,572 students and 387 staff have now tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,423 cases, up by 32 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of ten regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Seven regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Quebec Premier Francois Legault said on Friday that the current COVID-19 case numbers in the province show that the “situation is really critical,” adding that it is “urgent to reduce our social contacts.”
  • Canada now has seen 162,659+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,409+ deaths from the infection and 137,614+ recoveries.
  • Health Canada is reviewing AstraZeneca‘s application for regulatory approval for its experimental coronavirus vaccine
  • The federal government is giving $600 million to help small- and medium-sized businesses deal with possible lockdowns during a second wave of the pandemic. The funding — aimed at such sectors as tourism, manufacturing and technology — will be added to the $962 million already invested in the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. About $456 million of the new money will help businesses bridge their finances through another lockdown. It will be distributed through regional development agencies. Another $144 million will help provide capital and technical support to rural businesses and communities through the offices of Community Futures Canada, which provides small business services to rural communities. 
  • The Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that 14 per cent of small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada — roughly 160,000 — are at risk of closing. The tourism, hotel and catering sectors are particularly threatened.
  • The federal government says that starting Oct. 20, international students will be allowed to return if they will be attending a designated learning institution that has a strict COVID-19 safety plan in place.
  • The government said it will also extend visits to family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship that has lasted for at least one year and their dependent children, as well as adult children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents. It will allow people to come across the border on compassionate reasons in specific circumstances, such as life-threatening illness, critical injury or death.
  • Mandatory measures, which require travellers to quarantine for 14 days upon entry to Canada, will remain. The federal government says 190 federal public health officers will be sent to cover 36 ports of entry as part of plan to enhance safety measures.
  • Canada could see 16,214 deaths by Jan. 1 if current public safety measures don’t change, according to new modelling from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. If public safety mandates are loosened, the death toll could be 16,743 lives lost. If universal mask mandates are imposed the death toll would be 12,053 by year end.
  • Globally, there have now been 34,450,697+ confirmed cases with 1,025,354+ deaths and 23,914,523+ recoveries.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement made early this morning followed the revelation that close Trump aide Hope Hicks has COVID-19. Trump has been moved into the Walter Reed Hospital where ihe is said to be having trouble breathing and is very fatigued. He is said to be working.
  • Vice-President Mike Pence and his partner have tested negative for the virus.
  • Trump is one of 7,361,455+ confirmed cases in the United States. There have been 210,874+ deaths along with 3,930,203+ recoveries.

Oct. 1

  • The federal government has announced a $10 billion three year plan to provide new infrastructure through the Canada Infrastructure Bank which the government estimates will create 60,000 jobs. The plan will invest in clean technologies, building retrofits, electrifying transit, high speed broadband, farm irrigation and other community improvements.
  • Ontario’s daily case count was 538 today. That raised the provincial total to 52,248. The death toll rose by three to 2,851. There are 162 people in hospital in the province, up 12, with 36 in intensive care, up one, 17 on a ventilator. There are 229 new cases in Toronto, 101 in Peel, 66 in Ottawa and 43 in York Region. Sixty per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although case counts are growing in other age groups. There have been 44,422 recoveries, up 415. Ontario completed 39,646 tests for a total of 3,963,111.
  • There are 48 long term care homes in Ontario with an outbreak. There are 104 residents with active cases and 133 staff. Two deaths were added to the toll today. There are 282 schools with a COVID-19 case and three are closed.
  • The province will give pay raises to personal support workers throughout the health-care system in a bid to recruit and retain them during the pandemic. About 147,000 workers in long-term care, hospitals, and community care are eligible for the increase. Personal support workers in long-term care and community care will be eligible for a $3 an hour pay increase, while hospital PSWs will see a $2 an hour pay hike. The temporary increase will cost the government $461 million, begins today and will expire in March 2021. Ford says he has not ruled out continuing the pay raise next year.
  • New COVID-19 screening guidance released by the Ontario Government says children who only have a runny nose, headache or sore throat can now return to school or daycare after 24 hours without a negative COVID-19 test result, as long as the symptoms are improving. Ontario has also removed abdominal pain and pink eye from its list of COVID-19 symptoms in the screening tool.
  • A house party in Kingston, ON, has led to at least five new cases of COVID-19, and officials have yet to track down everyone who attended the “large party” on Sept. 18.
  • People who were at a wedding in Oshawa, ON, earlier this month are being urged to contact public health officials after eight people tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Four major home-care providers — Bayshore HealthCare, Closing the Gap Healthcare, VON Canada, and SE Health — are asking the Ontario government to increase support for their sector, saying it would reduce pressure on a health-care system burdened by COVID-19.
  • Toronto city council has imposed measures aimed at curbing a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. These are on top of moves by the province which moving last call at bars and restaurants to 11 p.m. They now must close at midnight, except for takeout and delivery, and businesses must screen anyone who wishes to enter the premises. Strip clubs have been closed.
  • Restaurants and bars will now have to reduce the number of patrons from 100 to 75, reduce the number of people at a table from 10 to six, collect contact information from each patron at a table and lower background music to the level of conversation.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 66 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,388 cases since March. The death toll rose by two to 289. Seventeen people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 677 active cases and there have been 3,422 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 23 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 25 in schools and child-care centres.
  • Indoor sports and recreation activities back to the sidelines in Ottawa this fall and winter because of the second wave, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches told CTV. She has said that the number of cases in Ottawa is doubling every 10 to 12 days and could reach 200 cases a day by mid-October.
  • Starbucks Canada is moving to a grab and go model in Ottawa and across Quebec as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
  • Ottawa Public Health says one in four residents who tested positive for COVID-19 during the first two weeks of September were exposed to the virus at social gatherings in indoor and outdoor settings. One in two cases of COVID-19 through the first two weeks of September were linked to household contacts with confirmed cases of COVID-19. CTV has more.
  • A Brockville, Ont., family court judge has denied a father’s bid to stop in-person classes for his three children in joint custody. CBC has more.
  • Quebec has now seen 75,221 confirmed cases, up by 933. The death toll rose by 16 to 5,850. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 13 to 275 with 46 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 33,510 tests on Sept. 29 for a total of 2,368,195. A website maintained by a citizen says that 643 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 673 schools have reported a case and 1,474 students and 359 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,391 cases, up by 36 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of nine regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Seven regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • People living in greater Montreal, Quebec City and the Chaudiere-Appalaches region south of the provincial capital are under tight new restrictions for at least 28 days.
  • Quebec police will be able to obtain telewarrants permitting them to enter people’s homes to enforce lockdown orders on gatherings. Anyone in red zone regions caught hosting a private gathering of people from different addresses faces a $1,000 fine. People who travel from a red zone to another zone face a ticket as well.
  • Bars, casinos, concert halls, cinemas, museums and libraries are closed in those regions and restaurants are limited to takeout.
  • Canada now has seen 160,280+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,316+ deaths from the infection and 136,089+ recoveries.
  • The federal government is offering to send the Canadian Red Cross into COVID-19 hotspots as case numbers rise and parts of the country slip into a second wave. The provinces will have to make a request for the help. CBC has more.
  • Globally, there have now been 34,080,123+ confirmed cases with 1,015,815+ deaths and 23,688,865+ recoveries.
  • According to a new study from Cornell University, U.S. President Donald Trump is the world’s biggest spreader of coronavirus misinformation. Nearly 38 per cent of the “misinformation conversation” began with Trump doing things such as promoting unproven “miracle cures” for Covid-19 or claiming with zero evidence that the pandemic was a “Democratic Party hoax” aimed at derailing his presidency, the researchers from the Cornell Alliance for Science found.
  • The United States has now seen 7,266,942+ cases of COVID19 and 207,550+ deaths.

Sept. 30

  • Just as Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for Health Canada to hasten approval of rapid tests, the department gave a thumbs up to the ID NOW rapid COVID-19 testing device for use in this country.
  • The Abbott Laboratories-backed point-of-care devices can be administered by trained professionals at places like pharmacies, walk-in clinics and doctors’ offices without the need for a laboratory to determine if someone is infected with the virus. The approval comes a day after the federal government announced that it would buy some 7.9 million ID NOW tests Abbott.
  • In the test a nasal or throat specimen is collected from a patient on a swab and plugged into the ID NOW’s analyzer, which can detect the coronavirus. A result is produced in 15 minutes.
  • Ontario’s daily case count was 625. That raised the provincial total to 51,710. The death toll rose by four to 2,848. There are 150 people in hospital in the province, up 13, with 35 in intensive care, up five, 17 on a ventilator, up one. There are 4,791 active cases in the province. There are 288 new cases in Toronto with 64 in Ottawa, 97 in Peel. Some 62 per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, although case counts are growing in other age groups. There have been 43,907 recoveries, up 457. Ontario completed 38,375 tests for a total of 3,887,712.
  • Ontario released new modelling today that shows the province could see 1,000 new cases a day in the first half of October. It also suggests cases will double every 10-12 days and predicts a range of ICU patients from a manageable 150 to more unmanageable 250.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 64 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,322 cases since March. The death toll rose by two to 287. Nineteen people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 685 active cases and there have been 3,350 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 24 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals and 25 in schools and child-care centres.
  • Two more West End Villa residents have died of COVID-related illness, according to a memo to families of residents. So far, 15 residents who have tested positive have died during this outbreak, said the memo from Extendicare, which operates the home.
  • There have been 68 confirmed resident cases with 22 cases remaining in the home, 28 cases resolved and three in hospital. Forty-two staff members have also tested positive. Of these, 37 are self-isolated at home and five cases have been resolved. There are also pending test results for 121 residents and 149 staff members. The Ottawa Hospital has taken over management of West End Villa and another Extendicare home, Laurier Manor.
  • The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is cutting 40 per cent of its staff at TD Place, as COVID-19 and the limits on gatherings continue to hammer the entertainment and sports industries.
  • The National Capital Commission is cancelling its free shuttle bus to Gatineau Park for the remainder of its Fall Rhapsody season because of the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Quebec.
  • Quebec has now seen 74,288 confirmed cases, up by 838. The death toll rose by one to 5,834. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 15 to 262 with 43 in intensive care. The province completed 25,298 tests on Sept. 28 for a total of 2,334,685. A website maintained by a citizen says that 622 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 618 schools have reported a case and 1,319 students and 321 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,355 cases, up by 27 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of nine regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Seven regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • Canada now has seen 158,424+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,296+ deaths from the infection and 134,194+ recoveries.
  • The Newfoundland and Labrador government has tabled a pandemic-focused budget with no financial projections beyond the next six months, and decisions on potentially painful structural changes to address a deteriorating financial situation punted to next year.
  • The 2020-21 provincial deficit is projected to be slightly better than previous estimates, at $1.84 billion. The most recent update two months ago had pegged that number more than $300 million higher.
  • Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says Indigenous communities have been facing an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases during the last few weeks. Miller says 673 COVID-19 cases have been reported in First Nations communities in all, and about 130 are active. Indigenous communities limited spread successfully during the first wave of COVID-19 by closing communities to outsiders, imposing local restrictions on gatherings and making sure that people were observing basic health and hygiene protocols. Reopening schools and businesses and places where physical distancing is not possible are all factors in the rise.
  • Legislation to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and other supports passed the House of Commons today, where Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, now recovered from COVID-19, was in attendance.
  • Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 3.0 per cent in July, following a 6.5 per cent increase in June. The third consecutive monthly gain continued to offset the steepest drops experienced by Canadian economic activity in March and April, however overall economic activity was still about six per cent below February’s pre-pandemic level.
  • The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program — a federal program designed to ease the pressure on pandemic-damaged businesses by covering a portion of their rent — expires at midnight tonight. CECRA covered up to six months of rent by extending forgivable loans for up to half the value of the monthly rent, in exchange for the landlord cutting rent.
  • Tenants participating in the program would still have to chip in 25 per cent of their pre-pandemic rent, while their landlords were expected to accept a 25 per cent loss on total rent paid.
  • In its latest Canadian Outlook, The Conference Board of Canada says the pace of economic recovery will flatten, if not stall, between now and mid-2021 with the arrival of colder weather, coupled with a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, further disrupts Canada’s economic activity.
  • Globally, there have now been 33,692,221+ confirmed cases with 1,008,842+ deaths and 23,423,454+ recoveries.

Sept. 29

  • Ontario’s daily case count was 554, down from Monday’s report. That raised the provincial total to 51,085. The death toll rose by four to 2,844. There are 137 people in hospital in the province, up nine, with 30 in intensive care, 16 on a ventilator. There are 4,791 active cases in the province. There are 251 new cases in Toronto with 105 in Ottawa, 79 in Peel and 43 in York Region. Some 62 per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, Health Minister Christine Elliott said on twitter. There have been 43,450 recoveries, up 323. Ontario completed 38,375 tests for a total of 3,887,712.
  • Premier Doug Ford says that as of Oct. 5, Ford said, visits to long-term care homes in certain areas with community transmission will be restricted to staff, essential visitors and essential caregivers only. Up to two individuals can be essential caregivers, the province says.
  • Ford also announced $540 million in additional funding to help long-term care homes fight the second wave of the virus. The funding will be used to provide support to staff, pay for renovations and to bolster infection control. Ford is also promising that every home in the province will have a two-month supply of personal protective equipment.
  • The Ottawa Citizen reports that as daily COVID-19 cases have hit new highs in Ontario, the provincial government has ordered some testing centres in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario to cut back on testing because provincial labs can’t keep up.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 105 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,250 cases since March. The death toll rose by three to 285. Seventeen people are in hospital. Two are in intensive care. There are 682 active cases and there have been 3,240 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 21 in schools and child-care centres.
  • Ottawa Public Health has created a form letter families can fill out to help children with a chronic illness or who have recovered from COVID-19 or another illness return to school without a medical certificate or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The Attestation for Return to School for Students Following Illness, is available on the OPH website.
  • A new, interactive neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood map produced by Ottawa Public Health and the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study shows a breakdown of COVID-19 infections in the city. The top five neighbourhoods are: Ledbury—Heron Gate—Ridgemont with 123 cases; Overbrook—McArthur, 73 cases; Old Barrhaven East, 54 cases; Bayshore—Belltown, 48 cases and Portobello South, 42 cases.
  • Quebec has now seen 73,450 confirmed cases, up by 799. The death toll rose by seven to 5,833. The number of people admitted to hospital rose by 35 to 247 with 41 in intensive care. The province completed 26,366 tests on Sept. 27 for a total of 2,309,387. A website maintained by a citizen says that 589 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 475 schools have reported a case and 1,066 students and 268 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,328 cases, up by 36 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of nine regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Six regions are now in red alert and six are in yellow. No regions are in the green zone.
  • The third provincial election under the pandemic started today in Saskatchewan. The province was the only one with a fixed election date that lands during the pandemic. Election day, after a short 28 day campaign, will be Oct. 26. The Saskatchewan Party had 46 seats in the legislature at dissolution and the Opposition NDP had 13.
  • Canada now has seen 156,654+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,289+ deaths from the infection and 132,930+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s population was estimated at 38,005,238 on July 1, up 411,854 from July 1, 2019. Following two years of population growth exceeding 500,000, growth in 2019-20 returned to levels last seen in 2015-16 (406,579). The lower growth was mainly attributable to the border restrictions enacted in mid-March, which resulted in fewer immigrants and non-permanent residents entering Canada and, to a lesser extent, more deaths, Statistics Canada reports.
  • StatsCan also says the aging of Canada’s population continues and the average age was 41.4 years on July 1, up slightly from the same day a year earlier (41.3 years). This average has risen every year since comparable record keeping began in 1971. The share of seniors aged 65 years and older continued to grow, reaching 18.0 per cent on July 1. The number of centenarians (11,517)—first counted in 2001—was the highest on record.
  • The parliamentary budget office says the federal deficit for the year will hit $328.5 billion this year. The amount includes an estimated $225.9 billion in emergency aid in response to the pandemic. Relative to the size of the economy, the deficit amounts to 15 per cent of gross domestic product, making it the largest over 50-plus years of comparable data. Budget officer Yves Giroux says the budget deficit will fall to about $73.8 billion next year and continue to fall in ensuing fiscal years.
  • Health Canada expects to authorize new antigen tests for COVID-19 soon, a senior government official said on Tuesday, in an effort to provide additional testing as a second wave of novel coronavirus infections overwhelms laboratories. Antigen tests can provide rapid results outside of a lab, but may be less accurate than some lab-based diagnostic tests. They are already widely used in the United States and elsewhere.
  • “We have a number of them under review at the moment — it is our priority,” Supriya Sharma, senior medical advisor for Health Canada, said during a media briefing. “For some of them we are, I think, very close to having a final decision.” Sharma said the tests under review could be used outside of healthcare settings.
  • The federal government has signed an agreement with Abbott Rapid Diagnostics ULC to purchase up to 7.9 million ID NOW rapid point-of-care tests, pending Health Canada authorization of the tests. If authorized, these tests would be deployed to provinces and territories to support them in ramping up surge capacity for COVID-19 testing.
  • Canada will commit an extra $400 million in development and humanitarian measures to combat the pandemic, the prime minister says.
  • Canada’s ‘me first’ COVID-19 vaccine strategy may come at the cost of global health, says an opinion article written by a trio of experts including Ronald Labonté, the former Canada research chair in globalization and health equity at the University of Ottawa. 
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning won the first ever COVID-19 Stanley Cup with a 2-0 won over the Dallas Stars in Edmonton Monday night. Whether there will be a second COVID Cup remains to be seen.
  • Globally, there have now been 33,378,462+ confirmed cases with 1,002,296+ deaths and 23,167,288+ recoveries.

Sept. 28

  • The Canada Emergency Response Benefit ends today. A bill that would replace the CERB with the Canada Recovery Benefit, among other measures, is before the House of Commons. It is expected to pass with support from the NDP.
  • Ontario’s daily case count spiked to 700, the highest since the pandemic started. That raised the provincial total to 50,531. The death toll rose by one to 2,840. There are 128 people in hospital in the province, up 16, with 29 in intensive care, 17 on a ventilator. There are 4,564 active cases in the province. There are 344 new cases in Toronto with 104 in Peel, 89 in Ottawa and 56 in York Region. Sixty per cent of today’s cases are in people under 40, Health Minister Christine Elliott said on twitter. There have been 43,127 recoveries, up 331. Ontario completed 41,111 tests for a total of 3,849,337.
  • The Ontario Hospital Association is calling for a return to Stage 2 — with restrictions placed on bars, indoor dining and other congregate settings or non-essential businesses — is needed to keep schools open and prevent “a further acceleration of infections.”
  • Health Minister Christine Elliot said “we don’t want to turn back a stage unless we absolutely have to.”
  • Premier Doug Ford, who said the province has entered a second wave of the pandemic, announced the government is investing $52.5 million to recruit, retain, and support over 3,700 more frontline health care workers to ensure the healthcare system can meet any surge in demand. The province said $26.3 million will go towards supporting personal support workers (PSWs) and supportive care workers, and $26 million will go towards supporting nurses.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 89 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,153 cases since March. The death toll rose by one to 282. Eighteen people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 631 active cases and there have been 3,240 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 21 in schools and child-care centres.
  • The City of Ottawa’s first COVID-19 election is underway in Cumberland ward where candidates are vying to replace Stephen Blais who is now the Liberal MPP for the area. Advance polls are open today and Tuesday. Ten people are on the ballot. Voting day is Oct. 5. There was a special mail-in ballot but the time to file that was Sept. 13.
  • A 13th resident at Extendicare’s West End Villa has died of complications due to COVID-19, the long-term care home announced Sunday evening.
  • The overwhelming demand for COVID-19 tests has resulted in a backlog at labs in Ontario. On Sunday, the province reported a backlog of more than 65,000 tests. CTV reports the Queensway Carleton Hospital said on Twitter last week that some people are waiting up to seven days for test results.
  • A forecast from the COVID-19 Modelling Collaborative, a joint effort of scientists and physicians from the University of Toronto, University Health Network and Sunnybrook Hospital, says that Ontario’s second wave of COVID-19 will peak in mid- to late October and will likely send enough patients to intensive care that hospitals will need to scale back non-emergency surgeries.
  • Quebec has now seen 72,651 confirmed cases, up by 750. The death toll rose by one to 5,826. The number of people in hospital fell by four to 237 with 37 in intensive care. The province completed 17,310 tests on Sept. 26 for a total of 2,278,145. A website maintained by a citizen says that 543 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 427 schools have reported a case and 931 students and 232 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,292 cases, up by 27 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of eight regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Six regions are now in yellow alert. Ten regions are in the green zone.
  • The regions in the province —Montreal, Quebec City and Chaudiere-Appalache, east of Quebec City — have been upgraded to the red alert zone and as a result they have been locked down for 28 days starting Oct. 1. This means restaurants, bars, theatres, museums and casinos will be closed. Social gatherings are banned. Montreal had 245 new cases today and Quebec City had 125 cases.
  • Residents at the CHSLD Herron, a long-term care home in Montreal, where 38 people died in the spring, are once again in preventive isolation after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. A recently released report found the home suffered from An investigation has concluded the home suffered from “organizational negligence” in the spring hen so many died.
  • As the country enters a second wave of COVID-19, Canada’s top public official is warning Canadians about an “infodemic” of rumours and misinformation. Dr. Theresa Tam issued a statement today saying: “As I have discussed previously, the ongoing increase in Canada’s daily case count is an indicator of accelerated epidemic growth in some regions of this country. While Canadians and public health authorities alike are rapidly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be mindful that we are doing so in the midst of an “infodemic.” That is an overabundance of information about COVID-19, including rumours and misinformation, sometimes deliberately spread. During any public health crisis, access to reliable, accurate and timely information is essential to protect our health. This is being recognized today by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).”
  • Canada now has seen 155,287+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,273+ deaths from the infection and 131,429+ recoveries.
  • British Columbia reports 267 new cases since Friday along with three deaths.
  • Meanwhile Alberta has seen 406 cases since Friday. The province’s chief medical officer reported the numbers from home where she is recovering from a sore throat. She was tested for COVID and the test was negative.
  • Manitoba reported 39 new cases of COVID-19 today and announced restrictions for Winnipeg and 17 surrounding regions. There will be a 10-person limit on indoor gatherings in this Code Orange alert.
  • Globally, there have now been 33,236,052+ confirmed cases with 999,629+ deaths and 22,940,351+ recoveries.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump, on the eve of his first debate with Joe Biden, reiterated an announcement from last month of a plan by the federal government to distribute millions of rapid coronavirus diagnostic tests to states. A shipment of 6.5 million tests is expected to go out this week to states as part of a $760 million contract the administration announced last month. The United States has seen 7,142,076+ cases and 204,995+ deaths.

Sept. 27

  • Ontario’s daily case count surged to 491, raising the total to 49,831. The death toll rose by two to 2,839. There are 112 people in hospital in the province, up 12, with 28 in intensive care, 16 on a ventilator. There are 4,196 active cases in the province. There are 137 new cases in Toronto with 131 in Peel, 58 in Ottawa and 58 in York Region. Some 63 per cent of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40, Health Minister Christine Elliott said on twitter. There have been 42,796 recoveries, up 289. Ontario completed 42,509 tests for a total of 3,808,226.
  • The town of Wasaga Beach, ON, has been closed to visitors after Ontario Provincial Police said large crowds at an unsanctioned car rally on Saturday broke COVID-19 gathering rules.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 58 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,063 cases since March. The death toll rose by one to 281. Sixteen people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 575 active cases and there have been 3,207 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 19 in schools.
  • The Ottawa Hospital has been given oversight of West End Villa and Laurier Manor. As of Saturday, there had been 85 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at West End Villa since Aug. 30, with 11 deaths. Laurier Manor only has had 19 confirmed cases, but in the spring it saw more than 100 cases and 25 deaths.
  • Quebec has now seen 71,901 confirmed cases, up by 896. The death toll rose by four to 5,825. The number of people in hospital fell by one to 216 with 41 in intensive care. The province completed 27,380 tests on Sept. 25 for a total of 2,260,835. A website maintained by a citizen says that 463 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 359 schools have reported a case and 839 students and 208 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,265 cases, up by 14 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of eight regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Six regions are now in yellow alert. Ten regions are in the green zone.
  • Canada now has seen 151,843+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,261+ deaths from the infection and 129,862+ recoveries.
  • Correctional Service Canada (CSC) announced Saturday evening that it was suspending “visits to all its operational units located in (Quebec), as well as temporary absences and placements outside establishments.”
  • COVID consequences: Five employees and two patrons linked to the Yonge Street Warehouse at 336 Yonge St. have tested positive for COVID-19. Toronto Public Health (TPH) said in a Sept. 26 news release that anyone who worked at or visited this establishment between Sept. 10 and 17 may have been exposed to the respiratory illness. Toronto’s public health agency estimates this could be approximately 1,700 people.
  • Globally, there have now been 32,886,465+ confirmed cases with 994,940+ deaths and 22,759,961+ recoveries.

Sept. 26

  • Ontario’s daily case count surged to 435, raising the total to 49,340. The death toll remained at 2,837. There are 100 people in hospital in the province, with 28 in intensive care, 15 on a ventilator. There are 3,996 active cases in the province. There are 131 new cases in Toronto with 110 in Peel and 45 in Ottawa. Sixty-four per cent of today’s cases are in people 40, Health Minister Christine Elliott said on twitter. There have been 42,507 recoveries, up 338. Ontario completed 43,238 tests for a total of 3,765,717.
  • So far 198 schools in Ontario have reported a case of COVID-19, 53 in the Ottawa region. There have been 238 people with confirmed infections including at least 110 students. There are 109 cases of COVID-19 in child care centres; 54 in children and 55 staff. Thirty-six centres have a case and 10 are closed, the province says.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 41 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 4,005 cases since March. The death toll remains at 280. Sixteen people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 567 active cases and there have been 3,158 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 19 in schools.
  • In a memo to Council Friday evening, staff said an employee at the Plant Recreation Centre tested positive for novel coronavirus and is now self-isolating at home. The Plant Recreation Centre is located at 930 Somerset. St. W. 
  • Nine patients and five staff members have now tested positive for COVID-19 at Saint-Vincent Hospital. Ottawa Public Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the hospital on Wednesday.
  • Quebec has now seen 71,005 confirmed cases, up by 698. The death toll rose by seven to 5,821. The number of people in hospital rose by 18 to 217 with 33 in intensive care. The province completed 33,148 tests on Sept. 24 for a total of 2,233,455. A website maintained by a citizen says that 463 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 359 schools have reported a case and 839 students and 208 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,251 cases, up by 21 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of eight regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. Six regions are now in yellow alert. Ten regions are in the green zone.
  • Canada now has seen 150,456+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,255+ deaths from the infection and 129,573+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 32,586,171+ confirmed cases with 989,380+ deaths and 22,501,182+ recoveries.

Sept. 25

  • Ontario’s daily case count surged to 409, raising the total to 48,905. The death toll rose by one to 2,837. There are 87 people in hospital in the province, with 25 in intensive care, 13 on a ventilator. There are 3,899 active cases in the province. There are 204 new cases in Toronto with 66 in Peel and 40 in Ottawa, Health minister Christine Elliott said on twitter, with 65 per cent of today’s cases in people under 40. There have been 42,169 recoveries. Ontario completed 41,865 tests for a total of 3,722,479.
  • So far 198 schools in Ontario have reported a case of COVID-19, 53 in the Ottawa region. There have been 238 people with confirmed infections including at least 110 students. There are 109 cases of COVID-19 in child care centres; 54 in children and 55 staff. Thirty-six centres have a case and 10 are closed, the province says.
  • The province has ordered restaurants and bars to stop selling alcohol after 11 p.m. and the consumption of alcohol on these premises will be prohibited after 12 a.m. Under the stricter measures, these establishments will have to close by midnight and remain closed until 5 a.m., except for takeout and delivery. The province has also orderd the closing of all strip clubs.
  • The Ontario Hospital Association has released a letter signed by 38 health professionals which calls for immediate restrictions to be re-imposed on non-essential businesses, such as gyms, dine-in restaurants and bars, nightclubs, and theatres. It also calls on restrictions on other places where people can gather, such as places of worship.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 41 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 3,960 cases since March. The death toll remains at 280. Thirteen people are in hospital. Three are in intensive care. There are 551 active cases and there have been 3,129 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 18 institutions in Ottawa institutions, including long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals.
  • The majority of Ottawa pharmacies selected to offer free COVID-19 tests are ready to start swabbing patients today, the companies say. CBC has a list. Asymptomatic residents in high risk groups only can head to the drugstores for a swab test. This detail emerged Friday.
  • Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services says a charge that carries with it a fine of $880 under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act was issued for a gathering of more than 25 people in Gloucester-South Nepean on Sept. 19.
  • The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board says hundreds of students are now trying to switch to remote learning.
  • Classes will resume on Monday at Fellowes High School in Pembroke following a COVID-19 outbreak. The Renfrew County and District Health Unit has declared the COVID-19 outbreak at the school over after no additional positive cases among students, staff, or close contacts.
  • Quebec has now seen 70,307 confirmed cases, up by 637. The death toll rose by four to 5,814. The number of people in hospital rose by 15 to 195 with 33 in intensive care, up three. The province completed 36,060 tests on Sept. 23 for a total of 2,200,307. A website maintained by a citizen says that 463 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 359 schools have reported a case and 839 students and 208 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,230 cases, up by 20 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of five regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. The other regions in orange are Chaudieres-Appalache, Montreal, Laval and parts of Quebec City. Eight regions are now in yellow alert. Nine regions are in the green zone.
  • Montreal public health reported 229 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the city since the start of the pandemic to 32,292. 
  • Canada now has seen 150,300+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,254+ deaths from the infection and 128,990+ recoveries.
  • The New Democrats have reached a deal with the Liberal government over support for the government’s throne speech. The key to the deal was the government’s agreement to expand who is eligible for the expanded sick leave benefit announced on Thursday. Details TBA.
  • The federal government has signed a deal with AstraZeneca to get up to 20 million doses of its experimental vaccine for COVID-19.
  • Canada is committing approximately $220 million to the COVAX Facility to procure up to 15 million vaccine doses for Canadians. An additional $220 million is being earmarked to purchase doses for low- and middle-income countries, the government said, noting that Canada cannot beat COVID-19 unless it is tackled everywhere.
  • Health Canada has granted approval for the Hyris bCUBE to be used as a medical device for COVID-19 human testing. As a portable device, the Hyris bCUBE provides onsite and accurate results in minutes. This timely approval arrives as Canadians face rising COVID-19 cases and it supports the testing capabilities of provincial programs to meet demand.
  • Globally, there have now been 32,386,999+ confirmed cases with 985,404+ deaths and 22,273,789+ recoveries.
  • The United States now has seen 7,019,232+ confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with 203,429+ deaths from the infection.

Sept. 24

  • The Liberals are proposing to increase the value of EI benefits to $500 a week under newly tabled legislation that was tabled today just before aid runs out for millions. It follows a demand from the New Democratic Party, whose leader Jagmeet Singh condemned the Liberals for planning to reduce benefits to $400 a week. The proposal would bring the value of payments to the same level as under the soon-to-disappear Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The same $500-a-week floor would be placed under EI.
  • Bill C2, the Canada Recovery Benefits Act, includes the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.
  • The Canada Recovery Benefit will deliver $500 a week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for employment insurance
  • The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit offers $500 a week for up to two weeks, for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19
  • The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit of C$500 a week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for a young child or family member because schools or day-cares are closed due to COVID-19.
  • The bill also includes $1.5 billion to send to provinces for training programs.
  • It also asks Parliament to give the government emergency spending powers until the end of the year to combat the pandemic with, for example, vaccines.
  • The CERB has paid out some $78 billion to nearly 8.8 million people. The government estimates about 2.8 million people receiving CERB payments will move to EI.
  • Ontario’s daily case count surged to 409, raising the total to 48,496. The death toll rose by one to 2,836. There are 88 people in hospital in the province, with 24 in intensive care, nine on a ventilator. There are 3,774 active cases in the province. There are 151 new cases in Toronto with 82 in Ottawa and 46 in Peel, Health minister Christine Elliott said on twitter, with 63 per cent of today’s cases in people under 40. Thirty-one are classified as school-related, including 24 students, three staff and four categorized as “individuals not identified.”
  • The province also reported two new outbreaks in long-term care facilities, bringing the current total to 33. 
  • There have been 41,600 recoveries, up 258. Ontario completed 30,634 tests for a total of 3,680,614.
  • The province’s top health officials say testing for COVID-19 will shift back toward symptomatic people and those in high-risk groups. Testing of asymptomatic people will be limited to pharmacies.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government will invest $1 billion to expand contact tracing capacity heading into flu season. 
  • Ford’s office said that he did not have “close contact or prolonged exposure” to the staffer who tested positive for COVID-19.
  • “All staff that had contact with their teammate will self-isolate and monitor for symptoms,” wrote Ivana Yelich, spokesperson for the premier’s office, in an email to media. “The premier will closely monitor for symptoms and take appropriate next step
  • Ontario wants to avoid imposing lockdown-style measures to combat a second wave of COVID-19, but is prepared to take “targeted action” such as closing certain higher-risk businesses, CBC News has learned. 
  • So far 178 schools in Ontario have reported a case of COVID-19, 58 in the Ottawa region including Pembroke and Kemptville. There have been 210 people with confirmed infections including at least 101 students. There are 107 cases of COVID-19 in child care centres; 52 in children and 55 staff. Thirty-seven centres have reported a case and 11 more are closed, the province says.
  • The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) warns there is a shortage of certified teachers in the province and is asking retired teachers to reinstate their memberships and return to work if they can.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 82 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 3,919 cases since March. The death toll remains at 280. Fourteen people are in hospital. Three people are in intensive care. There are 587 active cases and there have been 3,052 recoveries. Ottawa Public Health is reporting COVID-19 outbreaks at 33 institutions in Ottawa, including long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospitals and schools.
  • The parking lot at Calypso Waterpark in Limoges is being turned into a drive-thru COVID-19 testing centre. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is teaming up with Ontario Health East and paramedics from both Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and Prescott-Russell to open a temporary COVID-19 testing centre in the parking lot at Calypso.
  • The drive-thru testing site, located off Highway 417 at 2015 Calypso Street, will open on Thursday, Sept. 24. It will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • People with no symptoms of COVID-19 are being told not to go to COVID-19 assessment centres for testing. Instead they are directed to designated pharmacies starting Friday.
  • A modified version of the annual Festival of Small Halls will featuring socially distanced shows with limited crowds to towns across Eastern Ontario. Performers such as Hawksley Workman, Tom Wilson, Kelly Prescott, Hannah Georgas and Ben Caplan will perform before 50 people in Almonte, Seeley’s Bay, Brockville and Manotick.
  • Quebec has now seen 69,670 confirmed cases, up by 582. The death toll rose by one to 5,810. The number of people in hospital rose by six to 184 with 31 in intensive care, up one. The province completed 27,303 tests on Sept. 22 for a total of 2,164,247. A website maintained by a citizen says that 440 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 325 schools have reported a case and 750 students and 185 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,210 cases, up by a record 36 confirmed cases. The region’s death toll remains at 34. The region is one of five regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. The other regions in orange are Chaudieres-Appalache, Montreal, Laval and parts of Quebec City. Eight regions are now in yellow alert. Nine regions are in the green zone.
  • Canada now has seen 148,783+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,246+ deaths from the infection and 128,231+ recoveries.
  • Globally, there have now been 32,062,182+ confirmed cases with 979,701+ deaths and 22,057,268+ recoveries.

Sept. 23

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the nation in a rare address that the country is in the midst of second wave of COVID-19 infection that could be worse than the first. He said don’t count on a family get-together at Thanksgiving.
  • Earlier in the day Gov.-Gen. Julie Payette read the Liberal government’s Speech from the Throne which was dominated by proposed measures to combat the impact of the pandemic.
  • Pandemic promises: Support provinces to increase COVID-19 testing capacities, so Canadians won’t have to keep waiting in lines for hours. A federal testing assistance response team will be created to quickly meet surging testing needs, including providing tests in remote and isolated communities.
  • Continue providing personal protective equipment by building domestic production capacity and securing supply chains internationally.
  • Additional financial support for businesses that will have to temporarily shut down as a result of a local public health decision. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will be extended through the next summer to help business keep staff employed.
  • A transitional Canada Recovery Benefit for those who won’t qualify for benefits under the new expanded employment-insurance system that is to replace Canada Emergency Response Benefit by the end of this month.
  • A new Canadian Disability Benefit, an employment strategy for Canadians with disabilities and a better process to determine eligibility for government disability programs and benefits.
  • New national standards for long-term care.
  • Ottawa Public Health reported 65 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today. The city has seen 3,830 cases since March. The death toll rose by one to 280. Eleven people are in hospital. Two people are in intensive care. There are 587 active cases and there have been 2,906 recoveries. There are 13 outbreaks in care homes.
  • Ontario’s daily case count surged to 335, raising the total to 48,087. The death toll rose by three to 2,835. There are 88 people in hospital in the province, up six, with 24 in intensive care, 11 on a ventilator. There are 3,652 active cases in the province. There are 102 new cases in Toronto with 79 in Peel and 65 in Ottawa, Health minister Christine Elliott said on twitter, with 69 per cent of today’s cases in people under 40. There have been 41,342 recoveries. Ontario completed 35,436 tests for a total of 3,649,980.
  • So far 153 schools in Ontario have reported a case of COVID-19, 41 in the Ottawa region including Pembroke and Kemptville. There have been 180 people with confirmed infections including at least 77 students. Two schools have been closed. There have been 108 cases of COVID-19 in child care centres; 54 in children and 54 staff. Thirty-seven centres have reported a case and nine are closed, the province says. There are 10 outbreaks in child-care centres in Ottawa, OPH says.
  • Quebec has now seen 69,088 confirmed cases, up by 471. The death toll rose by four to 5,809. The number of people in hospital rose by 10 to 178 with 30 in intensive care, up two. The province completed 21,736 tests on Sept. 21 for a total of 2,136,944. A website maintained by a citizen says that 409 schools in the province have now seen at least one case of COVID-19. The province says 392 schools have reported a case and 651 students and 166 staff have tested positive.
  • The Outaouais has seen 1,174 cases, up 17. The death toll remains at 34. The region is one of five regions in the province in the orange alert zone for COVID-19 infection. The other regions in orange are Chaudieres-Appalache, Montreal, Laval and parts of Quebec City. Seven regions are now in yellow alert.
  • Canada now has seen 147,753+ confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 9,243+ deaths from the infection and 127,788+ recoveries.
  • Canada’s first known case of COVID-19 was detected eight months ago this week. As of Sept. 22, the coronavirus has been confirmed in 146,663+ Canadians. CBC News analyzed data on all confirmed cases of COVID-19 collected by Public Health Agency of Canada.
  • The chief provincial health officer in B.C. has received death threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Bonnie Henry says she has also received abusive letters and her staff has been harassed, all of which has caused concern for her personal safety. 
  • Globally, there have now been 31,759,233+ confirmed cases with 973,904+ deaths and 21,811,742+ recoveries.

Earlier instalments of the Capital Current COVID-19 tracker can be found here.

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