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Showing posts from November, 2020

Investigation finds widespread racism and discrimination against Indigenous peoples in B.C. health-care system

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Racism, stereotyping and discrimination against Indigenous peoples in the B.C. health-care system are widespread and can be deadly, according to the findings of an independent investigative report released Monday. 

An unprecedented 46 people die of COVID-19 in B.C. over the weekend, health officials announce

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The last three days have seen 46 people die of COVID-19 in B.C., as more than 2,000 additional cases of the disease were confirmed, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.

Another COVID-19 record falls in Alberta, with 1,733 new cases reported

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With COVID-19 cases continuing to break records, Alberta added 20 additional intensive-care beds in Edmonton over the past week and 10 more in Calgary, with the province saying it intended to more than double the number of ICU spaces in the coming weeks.

Nunavut mother tests positive for COVID-19 days after giving birth in Winnipeg hospital

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A new mother from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, was put in intensive care in a Winnipeg hospital last week when she tested positive for COVID-19 just days after delivering a baby by caesarean section. She and her family are asking people to take the pandemic seriously.

Ontario reports 1,746 new COVID-19 cases, 7-day average climbs to new high

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The province's network of labs processed 39,406 test samples of the novel coronavirus, and recorded a test positivity rate of 4.6 per cent.

Could quick COVID 'antigen' tests break the back of the pandemic?

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A new study suggests frequent rapid antigen testing could control the spread of the virus within weeks

Moderna asking U.S., European regulators to OK its virus shots

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Moderna Inc. said it would ask U.S. and European regulators Monday to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine as new study results confirm the shots offer strong protection — ramping up the race to begin limited vaccinations as the coronavirus rampage worsens.

Unusable masks, catered meals, redone renos: B.C health minister orders review of PHSA spending

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B.C.'s health minister has ordered an immediate review of alleged misspending by the Provincial Health Services Authority during the COVID-19 crisis, after multiple sources claimed millions have been wasted on unusable face masks, catered meals and unneeded office renos.

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

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COVID-19 case numbers are continuing their slow but steady rise across most of Atlantic Canada, where health officials and political leaders have recently stepped up public health rules in a bid to stave off a strong second wave of the novel coronavirus.

Anatomy of an ICU: Why it's so hard for Manitoba to add ICU beds for the sickest COVID-19 patients

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The rising numbers of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care has forced the province to find more space to treat them. But what does an intensive care unit actually need to function?

Canada not at back of line for COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna chairman says

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The head of a U.S. biotechnology company that is developing one of the most promising COVID-19 vaccine candidates says Canada is not far behind other countries when it comes to receiving doses of its vaccine.

Canada blocks some bulk prescription drug exports to U.S. to prevent shortages

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Canada on Saturday blocked bulk exports of prescription drugs if they would create a shortage at home, in response to outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to allow imports from Canada to lower some drug prices for Americans.

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

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Canada's chief public health officer said Saturday that "we have a window of opportunity to act" before the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in the country.

Winnipeg boy under 10 dies from COVID-19, province's youngest death linked to illness

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The boy's death was among 10 announced Saturday, bringing the total in Manitoba to 290. The province also announced 487 new COVID-19 cases, its third-highest single-day increase to date.

Social barriers in Ontario school community with province's largest COVID-19 outbreak amplify risk

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The province's largest school outbreak is taking place in a Windsor neighbourhood that faces a number of social barriers that are known to facilitate the spread of COVID-19.

Experimental research detects COVID-19 in Wolfville, N.S., wastewater

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Researchers who are using wastewater as a way to detect COVID-19 have discovered the virus in Wolfville, N.S.

What Canadians need to know about COVID-19 before gathering over the holidays

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While Canadians weigh whether it’s even possible to gather safely during the holidays in a pandemic, it’s important to keep in mind the unseen dangers we could be inviting in — even in parts of the country that have low rates of COVID-19.

Russia says its COVID vaccine is 95% effective. So why is there still Western resistance to it?

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Russia has tried to turn the search for a COVID vaccine into a 21st-century version of the space race that it intends to win. Despite criticism about transparency and how quickly it was approved, the vaccine will likely play an important role in ending the global pandemic, experts say.

With a visit from Dr. Strang, Halifax boy meets his hero

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Hughie Dauphinee got to meet his hero when Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, paid him a visit to chat about their shared experiences.

What we learned about COVID-19 from the Diamond Princess

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Lessons learned from the once-biggest outbreak outside of China

Toronto's high-risk communities need much more support, COVID-19 outreach workers say

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After spending nine months and counting doing health outreach work in his home community of Thorncliffe Park, Aamir Sekhera fears that slowing the spread of COVID-19 has become a nearly impossible task.

U.K. regulator to assess AstraZeneca's vaccine candidate amid trial questions

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Britain asked its drug regulator on Friday to assess AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for a possible rollout, while the Philippines and Thailand secured millions of doses.

No place but home for the holidays? Canadians torn over Christmas travel with no bending of curve in sight

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Conflicting guidelines between provinces have some Canadians confused about whether to book or cancel that ticket home, especially when the holiday season can heighten feelings of loneliness, and conversations with family members who interpret COVID-19 guidelines differently can be tense and awkward.

Ontario reports record-high 1,855 new COVID-19 cases

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Ontario reported another 1,855 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday while its labs processed more than 58,000 tests, both single-day records by considerable margins.

Sask. health care system is strained due to high contact numbers, surging cases

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The Saskatchewan Health Authority said the province's health care system is strained amid a worsening pandemic.

'My jaw dropped,' says Ontario woman of $12K air ambulance bill in Nova Scotia

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Most Canadians don't think they need travel health insurance while visiting other parts of the country, but if a medical emergency arises, you're not covered for some services, including ambulances.

Death threats, overcrowding and few masks: A TTC driver speaks out about life during COVID-19

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Usually it's dirty looks or insults, but sometimes TTC bus drivers working in Toronto's COVID-19 hot spots are subjected to much worse.

Alberta's top doctor calls secret recordings of pandemic meetings a 'betrayal' of trust

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Alberta's chief medical officer of health Thursday said she feels personally betrayed after CBC News reported the contents of secret recordings that revealed disagreements and, at times, political interference in the province's pandemic response.

Winter is already a trying time for some seniors. COVID-19 will make it worse

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As COVID cases climb and winter approaches, there is a growing fear that seniors could find themselves even more isolated.

University of Alberta study examines COVID-19 toll on health-care workers

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A study from the University of Alberta is looking into the toll the COVID-19 pandemic is taking on health-care workers across Canada, examining their mental health and likeliness of contracting the virus. 

Manitoba town's hospital closure inspires emotional tribute as staff shift to fight COVID-19 at care home

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An emotional rally and vehicle procession was held in Grandview, Man., early Thursday as residents paid tribute to the last patients being transferred from the town's hospital, which was temporarily closed Wednesday with staff reassigned to Grandview Personal Care Home to help fight a COVID-19 outbreak there.

3 million Canadians could be vaccinated in early 2021, but feds warn of 'logistical challenges'

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Federal officials sought to reassure Canadians today that Ottawa has a plan to procure and distribute millions of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021, as the government's critics argue that Canada seems to be lagging other developed countries in planning for a mass vaccination campaign.

First Nation asks Indigenous Services minister to launch investigation into top bureaucrat's behaviour

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A First Nation that has been living under a boil-water advisory for 25 years is asking Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller to launch an investigation into his top Ontario bureaucrat's behaviour and the provincial office's management.

AstraZeneca CEO says new global trial on COVID-19 vaccine likely

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AstraZeneca is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, the company's CEO tells Bloomberg.

This young Edmonton man died of COVID-19. His friend says the human toll of pandemic is lost in the numbers

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Desmond Jarvis Brandon died of COVID-19, alone in an isolation ward of an Edmonton hospital.  He was 36.

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

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Americans awoke on Thursday to celebrate a Thanksgiving Day transformed by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Macy's parade limited to a television-only event and many families resigned to meeting on video for turkey dinner.

Students burnt out by pandemic learning push more universities toward longer winter breaks

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Most Canadian post-secondary students have traded lecture halls for laptop screens this fall and, as the pandemic continues, schools are largely staying the course through the next term. However, an increasing number of institutions are now pushing back their start dates in the New Year in recognition of strain felt by students and staff. 

Meghan's revelation: How sharing her experience of miscarriage stands apart in the Royal Family

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The decision by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, to write of her miscarriage in the New York Times — winning praise for offering support to others who have experienced the deeply personal trauma — stands in marked contrast to the way in which other senior members of the Royal Family have approached matters of their own health.

Ontario reports 1,478 new COVID-19 cases, with 572 in Peel Region

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Ontario reported another 1,478 cases of COVID-19 and 21 more deaths linked to the illness on Thursday. 

How risky is it to go shopping now? Your coronavirus questions answered

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As a second wave of COVID-19 hits many provinces, is it safe to go shopping? Can seniors go for a walk in the mall? Is there a safe way to get together? Your questions, answered.

Secret recordings reveal political directives, tension over Alberta's pandemic response

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Audio recordings of daily planning meetings obtained by CBC News as well as meeting minutes and interviews with staff involved in pandemic planning give a rare look at the push-and-pull of the COVID-19 response in Alberta.

Baby comes home as B.C. mother remains in ICU due to COVID-19 complications

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Dave McIntosh was able to take his newborn son home from the hospital in Abbotsford, B.C., Wednesday, but his wife, Gillian, remained in ICU, fighting for her life because of complications from COVID-19.

Demand spikes for COVID-19 treatment that's saving lives but is in limited supply in Canada

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As coronavirus infections are surging to record-breaking levels in Ontario, there's concern that demand is spiking for ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a last-resort treatment for some of the sickest COVID-19 patients that's in limited supply.

Who calls the shots in Ontario's COVID-19 response? Premier insists top doctor is 'riding shotgun'

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Following an auditor general's report that found Ontario’s pandemic response is being driven by political staff atop a command structure developed by a US consulting agency, Premier Doug Ford is insisting that medical experts and Ontario’s top doctor are calling the shots.

AstraZeneca manufacturing error raises questions about vaccine study results

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AstraZeneca and Oxford University on Wednesday acknowledged a manufacturing error that is raising questions about preliminary results of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine.

Move more to stay fit in pandemic era, WHO advises

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The World Health Organization released new guidance suggesting all adults take part in a minimum of 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, something that is even more vital for mental health and well-being during COVID-19.

COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: what you need to know

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The number of new and active COVID-19 cases on First Nations reserves across Canada continues to climb, according to data from Indigenous Services Canada.

5 British Columbians dying every day from overdose, coroner reports

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The BC Coroners Service says 162 people died in October due to overdoses from toxic illicit drugs.

Brockville mourns 'a beautiful soul' lost to domestic violence

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Audrey Hopkinson would have turned 34 today, the same day the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses publishes its annual femicide list. This year, Hopkinson's name will be on that list.

Families hold breath, anxiously await holiday gathering guidelines for seniors in long-term care

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The province has already set the ground rule for next month's holiday gatherings, but still needs to outline how families can involve people living in long-term care homes in their celebrations.