How Canada changed its position on pandemic travel bans

COVID Travel 20211029

Countries are acting swiftly to isolate regions where COVID-19 variants of concern have emerged. Many scientists are not convinced that travel bans actually work. Some say bans encourage countries to downplay outbreaks or hide new variants. Others say bans can buy time.



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B.C. identifies 1st case of omicron variant

COVID-19 DAILY LIFE HALLOWEEN

B.C. has identified its first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, health officials confirmed Tuesday. 



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First case of omicron COVID-19 variant confirmed in Alberta, Hinshaw says

COVID Alta 20210813

"I’m reporting we have now one confirmed case of the omicron variant in Alberta," Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, told a news conference Tuesday.



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Ottawa requiring COVID-19 testing for some travellers, consulting experts on booster shots

BC FLOODING 20211126

Incoming air travellers from all countries except the United States will be required to take COVID-19 tests when arriving in Canada, the federal government announced today.



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Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Tuesday

Virus Outbreak Italy

The omicron variant was already in the Netherlands when South Africa alerted the World Health Organization about it last week, Dutch health authorities said Tuesday, adding to fear and confusion over the new version of the coronavirus in a weary world hoping it had left the worst of the pandemic behind.



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Yukon now has highest opioid death rate in Canada, territory's chief coroner says

Heather Jones

Yukon now has the highest rate of deaths due to opioids in the country at 48.4 deaths per 100,000 people, more than double the Canada-wide rate of 19.4. “This is shocking,” said Heather Jones, the territory's chief coroner.



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2 potential omicron variant COVID-19 cases in Hamilton under investigation

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Ontario's chief medical officer of health says the province is investigating two potential cases of a new COVID-19 variant in Hamilton.



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Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Monday

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The World Health Organization on Monday pushed for an international accord to help prevent and fight future pandemics amid the emergence of the worrying new omicron coronavirus variant.



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Canada's first cases of the omicron coronavirus variant confirmed in Ottawa

Virus Outbreak New Variant

The Ontario government announced on Sunday that there are two cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus confirmed in Ottawa, the first confirmed in Canada.



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Canada needs to make a tough call on boosters as a new variant emerges

COVID Cda 20210410

With the emergence of the omicron variant, the holidays rapidly approaching and COVID-19 case levels still elevated in much of the country, should Canada wait for more proof of waning immunity before expanding eligibility of boosters?



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Hospital's friendly huddles persuade more staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations

Dr. Adina Weinerman and Diana Beckford

Dr. Adina Weinerman is on a mission to get her fellow health-care workers at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Hospital vaccinated against COVID-19. The idea behind her work is that while vaccine mandates by themselves can generate angry compliance, some friendly persuasion can change minds.



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Merck's COVID-19 pill is effective, U.S. regulators say

COVID Pill

U.S. federal health regulators say an experimental COVID-19 pill from Merck is effective against the virus, but they will seek input from outside experts on risks of birth defects and other potential problems during pregnancy.



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Liberals introduce bill to provide sick pay, ban intimidation of patients and health-care workers

Hospital protest

The Liberal government has introduced legislation to provide workers in federally regulated sectors with 10 days of sick pay — while also making it an offence to intimidate or prevent patients from seeking care, or to interfere with health professionals trying to deliver it.



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What we know about the new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa

Virus Outbreak New Variant

As scientists race to find out more about a coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, here's what we know about where and when it was identified, why it is causing concern and what countries have done in response.



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Excitement, relief as Alberta children get their first COVID-19 vaccines

Kid vaccine

There were smiles, some tears and hundreds of Band-Aids plastered on little arms as Alberta's COVID-19 vaccination clinics opened their doors to children Friday.



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World Health Organization declares new variant of concern named omicron

HEALTH–CORONAVIRUS/AFRICA

A new coronavirus variant that was identified this week in South Africa has been named a variant of concern and given the name omicron by the World Health Organization.



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Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Friday

Virus Outbreak South Africa

A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible coronavirus variant.



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Nunavut declares tuberculosis outbreak in Pangnirtung

Alcohol in Pangnirtung

Nunavut’s chief public health officer declared a tuberculosis outbreak in Pangnirtung Thursday. The government said enhanced public health 'follow-up of the situation is necessary.'



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'Stick with us,' health minister urges, as number of empty nursing positions passes 1,300 in Winnipeg

Manitoba nurses rally Day of Action

Health Minister Audrey Gordon acknowledged nurses are feeling "COVID fatigue," as the health-care system remains strained by the pandemic. "Individuals are looking at other opportunities, but what we are saying to them is stick with us."



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What experts predict the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine will do for national vaccination rates

COVID-Mba-Kids 20211125

As kids aged five to 11 are being offered the vaccine across the country, doctors weigh in on what this age group can do for national vaccination rates and how this could bring us back to more normal times.



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South African scientists detect new COVID-19 variant

Virus Outbreak South Africa Vaccines

New variant identified in the midst of surging coronavirus cases and vaccination rates that are falling short of the government's target.



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80 suspected overdose deaths in Waterloo region so far this year

Que Fentanyl 20170914

Eighty people in Waterloo region have died from suspected overdose deaths so far this year, eight more since the last update in early October.



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COVID-19 vaccine for babies and toddlers could be approved early 2022, chief public health officer says

Virus Outbreak Vaccine Kids Illinois

Canada's chief public health officer says she hopes vaccines for babies and toddlers will be approved in the new year, depending on how clinical trials play out.



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Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Thursday

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The European Union's drug regulator on Thursday recommended approval of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for use on children from five to 11 years old, clearing a path for shots to be administered to millions of elementary school pupils amid a new wave of infections sweeping across the continent.



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Canada's mask guidance has changed. Here's why you might need an upgrade

Mask garbage

Many doctors, engineers and scientists say the Public Health Agency of Canada's shift toward recommending medical masks and respirators over cloth masks is due to increased acknowledgement of aerosol transmission.



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Plexiglass can be 'counterproductive' to proper COVID-19 ventilation, experts say

COVID Cda 20200429

Some health experts are urging establishments and institutions to re-think the use of plexiglass as a measure against COVID-19, arguing the barriers can even be "counterproductive" when they obstruct the ventilation needed to avoid spreading the more transmissible delta variant.



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How Quebec vaccination centres are putting kids first

bémole therapy dog vaccination

Children aged five- to 11-years-old are now eligible to get vaccinated in the province, and officials have been busy making preparations to put youngsters — and their parents — at ease.



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Germany poised to pass 100,000 COVID-19 deaths

Virus Outbreak Germany

Germany is poised to pass the mark of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 this week, a sombre milestone that several of its neighbours crossed months ago but which Western Europe's most populous nation had hoped to avoid.



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Moncton woman able to resume opioid addiction treatment after birth control dispute with doctor

Rebecca Billard

After hearing Rebecca Billard's story, Dr. Christopher Levesque got in touch with Ensemble Moncton, a harm reduction organization, to offer his help.



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Expectant moms distressed as N.W.T. plans to send them to Alberta

Naomi Pearl

Expectant moms respond the N.W.T.'s plan to send them to Alberta to deliver their babies due to a staffing shortage at Stanton Territorial Hospital.



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Vaccinating young kids may take time but experts ready to discuss parents' concerns

Virus Outbreak Vaccine Kids Illinois

While many parents signed their kids up to be first in line for a COVID-19 vaccine, others have more questions. The drive to vaccinate Canadians 5-11 against COVID-19 could prove tougher and perhaps take longer than earlier age groups.



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Quebec 'cast aside' seniors in long-term care, needs to make changes now, ombudsman says

quebec ombudswoman marie rinfret

Quebec's ombudsman has submitted her final report into what went wrong in long-term care homes during the pandemic, saying residents were "cast aside" and imploring the government to right its wrongs by making recommended changes immediately. 



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Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Tuesday

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The World Health Organization's Europe office said projections show its 53-country region could face another 700,000 deaths in the COVID-19 pandemic by next spring, topping two million in total.



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U.S. pharmacy chains responsible for role in Ohio opioid crisis, jury finds

Opioid Lawsuit

CVS, Walgreens and Walmart pharmacy chains recklessly distributed massive amounts of pain pills in two Ohio counties amid overdose deaths, a federal jury said Tuesday in a verdict that could set the tone for other city and county governments that want to hold pharmacies accountable for their roles in the opioid crisis.



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'You become numb to it': Residents of Mayo, Yukon, want state of emergency declared over substance use deaths

Mayo winter

Five people connected to Mayo died from either substance abuse or opioids in 2021, the territory's coroner says. The Yukon town has a population of just 457.



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Vaccine appointments for kids open ahead of Quebec announcement

Virus Outbreak Washington

Premier François Legault said he and Health Minister Christian Dubé will hold a press conference at 5 p.m. to "explain in detail how the vaccination plan will work."



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Nursing applications are way up at Western, but there's no room for more students

Alice Paradis

As Western University continues to wait for government funding to expand its nursing program, applications to the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing were up by 20 per cent this past year, driving up competition at a time when nurses are burned out and leaving the profession in droves.



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Breast cancer screening guidelines based on flawed Canadian study, new paper says

Early Breast Cancer

A new paper calls into question a decades-old Canadian study that has informed breast cancer screening guidelines for women in their 40s around the world, which generally do not recommend a yearly mammogram.



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Liberal government launching third term with a throne speech focused on lingering COVID-19 crisis

Trudeau Cabinet 20211026

The Liberal government starts its third term in office today with a speech from the throne delivered by Gov. Gen. Mary May Simon — and a plan to pass a flurry of legislation before the Christmas break.



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3 dead after suspected blastomycosis outbreak in Constance Lake First Nation

Ramona Sutherland

Three people have died following a suspected outbreak of blastomycosis, a fungal lung infection, in the Constance Lake First Nation, northwest of Timmins, Ont.



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Canada hopes to keep number of wasted COVID-19 doses below 5 per cent, Public Health Agency says

CANADA-QUEBEC/VACCINE

The Public Health Agency of Canada said it hopes to keep the number of wasted doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada under five per cent.



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Kids and COVID-19 vaccines: your questions and how to prepare

Virus Outbreak Kids Vaccine

A health-care worker gives her tips for preparing your child to receive their vaccine, while a pediatrician addresses questions your child may have.



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Baby diagnosed with a sprain had actually suffered a stroke

Sana & Uzair

An Ontario mother says she had to take her baby to three different hospitals, and speak with six doctors in less than a week, to get an accurate diagnosis after he was injured in a fall. Has the strain of the pandemic made it more likely for doctors to make mistakes?



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Canadian Medical Association calls on feds to make it criminal to harass health-care workers as promised

Dr. Alika Lafontaine

A national health advocacy body is calling on the federal government and some social media companies to reduce threats and violence some front-line health-care professionals are experiencing at work.



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Late diagnosis of tumours in children collateral damage of COVID-19, doctors say

Dr. Sheila Singh with a child

Dr. Sheila Singh has seen a big spike in pediatric brain diseases that could have been treatable if they had been diagnosed sooner. She says we need to critically evaluate our pandemic response to prevent these tragedies from repeating during the next pandemic.



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Doctors say the kids' COVID-19 vaccine is a booster for mental health

Katalina Grimaldos-Ferreira

Pediatric experts say the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged five to 11 will not only protect them against infection, but also help relieve skyrocketing children's mental health struggles.



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Despite Alberta's pleas for single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, uptake is slow

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in a bid to raise vaccination rates among holdouts, doses of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine are now available in several provinces, including British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. But uptake of the single-dose option has been slow.



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Montreal Chinese Hospital honoured for keeping COVID-19 at bay with early pandemic response

Tim Chan

A Montreal long-term care home is being praised after escaping the worst of COVID-19. The Montreal Chinese Hospital was COVID-free during the first wave of the pandemic, and now staff members have been honoured with a medal from the National Assembly.



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Whapmagoostui clinic incident to be learning lesson, says Cree health board chair

Bertie Wapachee

A recent complaint from a northern Quebec family who say police were called on them while at a local medical clinic, will be a learning lesson for the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, says the board's chair.



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Ottawa confirms it will nix COVID-19 test for Canadians taking short trips, starting Nov. 30

USA-CANADA/TRAVEL

Starting on Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians taking short trips abroad will no longer need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return home, Ottawa confirmed on Friday.



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