The number of COVID-19 cases in Canada grew by 2,215 on Saturday, and officials announced an additional 25 people had succumbed to the illness.
The new figures released on Saturday bring the cumulative case total to 196,114, though more than 165,000 people across the country have recovered from the coronavirus.
In total, 9,746 deaths have been associated with COVID-19 in Canada.
The numbers released Saturday do not include updates from British Columbia, Alberta, P.E.I. or the territories.
Though some provinces have been much harder hit than others, the number of new cases overall has been surging since late August. Daily case counts are now higher than they were in the spring.
She called on Canadians to adhere to public health guidance and keep their number of contacts as low as possible — and especially avoid crowded or closed settings.
“Keeping apart is difficult, but it is what will make us stronger, more resilient and better able to sustain public health efforts through the fall and winter,” she said in a statement Saturday.
2:10 Coronavirus: Health officials urge Quebecers to reduce contacts
Coronavirus: Health officials urge Quebecers to reduce contacts
Quebec reported 1,279 new COVID-19 cases today along with 15 more deaths linked to the novel coronavirus. One death previously attributed to the virus was found to have been due to other causes.
In Ontario, another 805 cases were announced, bringing the cumulative total to 63,713. More than half of the new cases were diagnosed in Toronto and surrounding area. The province also announced that 10 more people have died due to COVID-19.
1:42 More restrictions for Winnipeg
More restrictions for Winnipeg
Manitoba public health officials identified 85 new cases of COVID-19, most of which occurred in the Winnipeg health region. In total, 3,256 cases have been diagnosed in the province.
In response to a sharp rise in cases, Winnipeg is facing stricter restrictions for at least two weeks starting Monday.
Story continues below advertisement
The active case count in Saskatchewan reached a record high of 326 on Saturday, when the province reported 36 new cases. Saskatchewan’s total case count stands at 2,306.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick hit 100 on Saturday, with the addition of eight newly diagnosed infections.
Nova Scotia announced two new cases, bringing its active case total to five, while Newfoundland and Labrador did not report any new diagnoses Saturday.
Around the world, 39.5 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 1.1. million deaths associated with the virus have been recorded, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.
With files from Amber McGuckin, Mickey Djuric and The Canadian Press
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
