Canada reported 20 novel coronavirus deaths in total on Sunday, the lowest daily death toll since April 1, when the country reported 10 deaths in a single day.
There were 318 new cases reported nationwide on Sunday, with Ontario and Quebec accounting for a majority of the daily caseload. In total, there are 101,320 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the country.
Canada’s total death toll rose to 8,430 on Sunday, with nine deaths from Quebec and 11 from Ontario. Three of Quebec’s deaths date prior to June 13, meaning the actual national daily death toll on Sunday was 17.
Quebec and Ontario have been the two provinces reporting the most cases and deaths on a daily basis, with both figures trending downward in recent weeks.
More than 2.5 million tests have been conducted, while close to 64,000 people have recovered from the virus. There are a little over 29,000 active cases across the country as of Sunday evening.
The province, which has been the hardest hit in Canada so far, also saw 92 new cases, bringing it closer to 55,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 23,000 people are considered recovered. Quebec is preparing to reopen several sectors and relax the rules for indoor gatherings on Monday.
5:36 Coronavirus: A look at how one hospital is keeping families connected virtually
Coronavirus: A look at how one hospital is keeping families connected virtually
Ontario reported 175 new cases and 11 new deaths, bringing its total caseload to nearly 33,500 cases. The provincial death toll has surpassed 2,600, while more than 28,000 cases — or nearly 86 per cent of all cases — are considered resolved.
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Saskatchewan saw its biggest jump in daily cases in a month, with 20 new cases bringing its provincial tally to 746. Nearly 650 people are recovered, and 13 have died since the pandemic began.
Alberta reported 31 new cases and no new deaths on Sunday, leaving it with a little 7,700 cases, including 152 deaths. More than 7,000 people have recovered.
Manitoba saw no new cases on Sunday as Phase 3 in the provincial re-opening plan kicked off, permitting public gatherings of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, so long as people can stay two metres apart.
British Columbia had no new information to report on Sunday, leaving it with close to 2,800 cases — 88 per cent of whom are recovered — and 168 deaths.
The virus has caused nearly 8.9 million cases worldwide and more than 465,000 deaths, according to numbers tallied by Johns Hopkins University.
The U.S. has seen the highest caseload and death toll so far, followed by Brazil. Sunday marked the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases, at more than 183,000 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the World Health Organization’s tally.
— With files by The Canadian Press, The Associated Press, Global News staff
LONGUEUIL, Que. – People in a part of Longueuil, Que., were being asked to stay indoors with their doors and windows closed on Thursday morning after a train derailed, spilling an unknown quantity of hydrogen peroxide.
Police from the city just east of Montreal said it didn’t appear anyone was hurt, although a CN rail official told a news conference that three employees had been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
The derailment happened at around 9 a.m. in the LeMoyne area, near the intersection of St-Louis and St-Georges streets. Mathieu Gaudreault, a spokesman for CN rail, said about eight cars derailed at the Southwark rail facility, including four that toppled over.
“As of this morning, the information we have is it’s hydrogen peroxide that was in the rail car and created the fumes we saw,” he said, adding that there was no risk of fire.
François Boucher, a spokesman for the Longueuil police department, said police were asking people in the area, including students at nearby schools, to stay indoors while experts ensure the air is safe to breathe.
“It is as a preventive measure that we encourage people to really avoid exposing themselves unnecessarily,” he told reporters near the scene.
Police and fire officials were on site, as well as CN railworkers, and a large security perimeter was erected.
Officers were asking people to avoid the sector, and the normally busy Highway 116 was closed in the area. The confinement notice includes everyone within 800 metres of the derailment, officials said, who added that it would be lifted once a team with expertise in dangerous materials has given the green light.
In addition to closing doors and windows, people in the area covered by the notice are asked to close heating, ventilation and air exchange systems, and to stay as far from windows as possible.
Gaudreault said it wasn’t yet clear what caused the derailment. The possibilities include a problem with the track, a problem with a manoeuvre, or a mechanical issue, he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s Liberal party is promising to improve cellphone service and invest in major highways if the party is elected to govern on Nov. 26.
Party leader Zach Churchill says a Liberal government would spend $60 million on building 87 new cellphone towers, which would be in addition to the $66 million the previous Progressive Conservative government committed to similar projects last year.
As well, Churchill confirmed the Liberals want to improve the province’s controlled access highways by adding exits along Highway 104 across the top of the mainland, and building a bypass along Highway 101 near Digby.
Churchill says the Liberals would add $40 million to the province’s $500 million capital budget for highways.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the three major political parties were expected to spend much of today preparing for a televised debate that will be broadcast tonight at 6 p.m. local time.
Churchill will face off against Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston and NDP Leader Claudia Chender during a 90-minute debate that will be carried live on CBC TV and streamed online.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
TORONTO – A group of hotel service workers in Toronto is set to hold a rally today outside the Fairmont Royal York to demand salary increases as hotel costs in the city skyrocket during Taylor Swift’s concerts.
Unite Here Local 75, the union representing 8,000 hospitality workers in the Greater Toronto Area, says Royal York employees have not seen a salary increase since 2021, and have been negotiating a new contract with the hotel since 2022.
The rally comes as the megastar begins her series of six sold-out concerts in Toronto, with the last show scheduled for Nov. 23.
During show weekends, some hotel rooms and short-term rentals in Toronto are priced up to 10 times more than other weekends, with some advertised for as much as $2,000 per night.
The union says hotel workers who will be serving Swifties during her Toronto stops are bargaining for raises to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The union represents hospitality workers including food service employees, room attendants and bell persons.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
