As B.C. looks to introduce new restrictions Tuesday amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, experts are warning about the upcoming holiday season.
COVID-19 Modeller Caroline Colijn said the latest modelling suggests a “steep rise” in cases, about 20 to 25 per cent more a day. She said this represents a doubling time of just a few days for cases and this is a “real cause for concern.”
“If things double every two days, when you have two or four cases, that’s OK, but when there’s 200 and you get to 400 and 800 very very quickly, as we’re starting to see, that’s a real challenge just for the sheer number and volume of cases.”
5:29 COVID-19: Omicron is rapidly replacing the Delta variant as the dominant strain in B.C.
COVID-19: Omicron is rapidly replacing the Delta variant as the dominant strain in B.C.
Colijn said all the previous variants rose much slower in cases than what experts are seeing in Omicron.
“It is much faster than any other variant we’ve seen so far,” she added.
The issue will be if the sheer volume of cases overwhelms the hospitals, Colijn said, adding they are seeing booster shots offering additional protection from the variant.
“I think we won’t win the race with boosters, but they are very important and may be the most important tool we will have against Omicron,” she said.
“I think it’s also important for people to remember they have a lot of control over what happens with Omicron.”
“So if you are not yet vaccinated, now’s the time, if you are offered a booster, now’s the time. But we can also upgrade our masks, open windows, keep gatherings small, keep ventilation good and those sorts of choices will keep bending the curve as well.”
5:01 Slowing down the spread of Omicron with boosters
Slowing down the spread of Omicron with boosters
University of Saskatchewan epidemiologist Nazeem Muhajarine said they are seeing Omicron spread at a “frightening speed” across Canada, including in B.C.
Cases of COVID-19 in B.C. soared over the weekend with another 2,550 new infections reported.
There were 911 detected between Friday and Saturday, 832 from Saturday to Sunday and 807 from Sunday to Monday.
“I think in about two to three weeks, when we have seen our cases rise over the last two weeks or so, we will see whether (Omicron) is having those severe consequences that we are so concerned about,” Muhajarine said.
He cited the United Kingdom and the state of New York in the U.S. as areas experts are watching “very closely” to see how Omicron spreads.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday he would not be introducing any new COVID-19 restrictions in England before Christmas, but that he could not rule out implementing further measures after the winter holidays as the Omicron variant spreads.
1:44 U.K.’s Johnson rules out any new COVID-19 restrictions before Christmas
U.K.’s Johnson rules out any new COVID-19 restrictions before Christmas
“I think we have to be very guarded in jumping to conclusions that this variant is not as severe as other variants,” Muhajarine added. “It’s too soon to tell.”
TORONTO – Restaurant Brands International Inc. reported net income of US$357 million for its third quarter, down from US$364 million in the same quarter last year.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says its profit amounted to 79 cents US per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with 79 cents US per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue for the parent company of Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, totalled US$2.29 billion, up from US$1.84 billion in the same quarter last year.
Consolidated comparable sales were up 0.3 per cent.
On an adjusted basis, Restaurant Brands says it earned 93 cents US per diluted share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 90 cents US per diluted share a year earlier.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 95 cents US per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Fortis Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $420 million, up from $394 million in the same quarter last year.
The electric and gas utility says the profit amounted to 85 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from 81 cents per share a year earlier.
Fortis says the increase was driven by rate base growth across its utilities, and strong earnings in Arizona largely reflecting new customer rates at Tucson Electric Power.
Revenue in the quarter totalled $2.77 billion, up from $2.72 billion in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Fortis says it earned 85 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 84 cents per share in the third quarter of 2023.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 82 cents per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
TORONTO – Thomson Reuters reported its third-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago as its revenue rose eight per cent.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says it earned US$301 million or 67 cents US per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The result compared with a profit of US$367 million or 80 cents US per diluted share in the same quarter a year earlier.
Revenue for the quarter totalled US$1.72 billion, up from US$1.59 billion a year earlier.
In its outlook, Thomson Reuters says it now expects organic revenue growth of 7.0 per cent for its full year, up from earlier expectations for growth of 6.5 per cent.
On an adjusted basis, Thomson Reuters says it earned 80 cents US per share in its latest quarter, down from an adjusted profit of 82 cents US per share in the same quarter last year.
The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 76 cents US per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
