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Showing posts from November, 2021

B.C. identifies 1st case of omicron variant

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

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

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"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.

How Canada changed its position on pandemic travel bans

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Ontario investigates 2 potential omicron variant COVID-19 cases in Hamilton

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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.

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.

2 cases of omicron variant confirmed in Ottawa, Ontario government says

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

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

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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?

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

World Health Organization declares new variant of concern named Omicron

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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.

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

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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.

Nunavut declares tuberculosis outbreak in Pangnirtung

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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.'

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

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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."

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

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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.

South African scientists detect new COVID-19 variant

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

80 suspected overdose deaths in Waterloo region so far this year

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

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

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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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

How Quebec vaccination centres are putting kids first

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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.

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

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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.

Germany poised to pass 100,000 COVID-19 deaths

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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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. 

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Quebec vaccination plan for five to 11-year-olds to be announced today

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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."

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

3 dead after suspected blastomycosis outbreak in Constance Lake First Nation

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

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

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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.

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

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

Baby diagnosed with a sprain had actually suffered a stroke

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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?

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Hidden camera reveals some pharmacists recommend homeopathic products to treat kids' cold and flu

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Some pharmacists working in Canada’s top drugstores are recommending homeopathic products to consumers, even though, experts say, these products are essentially sugar water or sugar pills with no scientific evidence they can do what they claim, a CBC Marketplace investigation has found.

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

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Germany has entered a "nationwide state of emergency" because of surging coronavirus infections, the head of the country's disease control agency said Friday.

Police called on Cree family trying to access care for baby in distress in northern Quebec

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The Mukash family of Whapmagoostui, Que., say they received inadequate care and faced discrimination from staff at the local Cree health board. They have filed a complaint with the board and are heading to Montreal to seek medical care for an 11-month-old baby with severe eczema and other health issues.

As Canada readies to vaccinate kids aged 5-11, a look at immunization across the country

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With Health Canada expected to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11, parents and guardians must now decide whether they'll be queuing up to get their kids these shots. Here's a quick refresher about vaccinations for children.

Liberals to introduce tougher version of bill to ban conversion therapy

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The Liberal government is set to introduce a tougher version of its earlier bill to ban conversion therapy, which failed to pass before Parliament was dissolved for the election.

Ontario to offer take-home rapid COVID-19 tests to students over winter break

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Ontario says it is expanding COVID-19 testing options for students at more schools in the province — including providing at-home rapid tests over the winter holidays — as well as offering testing for symptomatic individuals at some pharmacies.

These Chinese-Canadians are looking to break the silence on mental health

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Chinese-Canadians living with mental illness tend to face stigma and shame because of cultural perceptions and pressures. Since there's a tradition of suppressing emotions to achieve harmonious relationships at all costs, it can worsen mental health and create barriers to accessing help.

P.E.I. company to produce mRNA vaccines

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Charlottetown-based Biovectra, with assistance from the federal and provincial governments, is expanding to manufacture mRNA vaccines.

Health Canada expected to approve Pfizer vaccine for kids on Friday: source

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In a major move for families across the country, Health Canada will announce the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages five to 11 on Friday, CBC News has confirmed.