The country’s top doctor says Canada is past the peak of the COVID-19 wave caused by the Omicron variant.
Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer, has released modelling that shows progress in key indicators such as lab test positivity and reported cases.
Wastewater surveillance also shows the wave is on its way down — although modelling shows the true number of infections from Omicron has been much higher than reported.
Tam says while there are reasons to hope, COVID-19 is still spreading at high levels and hospitals remain stretched thin.
She says people should continue to take precautions, including avoiding crowded places and wearing masks when necessary.
Tam also warns that easing public health measures too quickly could lead to a COVID-19 resurgence.
What’s happening across Canada
With lab-based testing capacity deeply strained and increasingly restricted, experts say true case counts are likely far higher than reported. Hospitalization data at the regional level is also evolving, with several provinces saying they will report figures that separate the number of people in hospital because of COVID-19 from those in hospital for another medical issue who also test positive for COVID-19.
For more information on what is happening in your community — including details on outbreaks, testing capacity and local restrictions — click through to the regional coverage below.
Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser to the deputy minister of health, announces federal approval of the COVID-19 vaccine Novavax. 1:12
In British Columbia, hospitalizations are down 30 per cent compared to the province’s pandemic peak three weeks ago.
In the Prairies, Manitoba registered two new deaths; Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the province’s death rate is concerning, with 42 deaths from the illness reported in the second week of February — one of the deadliest weeks over the course of the pandemic; and residents in the Alberta capital are bracing for yet another weekend of snarled traffic due to pandemic protesters.
Canada’s two largest provinces are expanding vaccine eligibility. Ontario on Friday began booking third doses for young people aged 12-17 on Friday, while Quebec announced that same age group can start booking their appointments for a third dose online as of Saturday.
In the Atlantic, hospitalizations in Newfoundland and Labradorcontinue to drop as the province prepares to ease some public health restrictions next week, and New Brunswick will further ease restrictions on Friday at 11:59 p.m. AT.
As of Friday, more than 420.5 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus tracker. The reported global death toll stood at more than 5.8 million.
In Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong has identified more than 20,000 hotel rooms for quarantine accommodation, leader Carrie Lam said on Friday, as property developers showed support for the global financial hub as it battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.
In Africa, six countries have been identified as the first on the continent that would receive the technology needed to produce mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
In the Americas, Washington’s statewide indoor mask mandate, one of the few left in the U.S., will lift in most places on March 21, including at schools and child care facilities, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.
In Europe, Germany has crossed over the peak of new daily infections with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the country’s health minister said on Friday.
ANTIGONISH, N.S. – Mila Mulroney has been named the 11th chancellor of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, the alma mater of her husband, former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
Brian Mulroney died Feb. 29 at the age of 84.
Mila Mulroney issued a statement today saying the university in Antigonish, N.S., was the place where her husband was inspired to become involved in politics and his experiences there helped form his values.
She says that over the past 50 years, she has spent many days at the campus and has met many of her husband’s fellow graduates.
The statement says she is “humbled and honoured” to take on her new role.
Dennis Flood, chairman of the university’s board of governors, said Mila Mulroney’s experience as a philanthropist and her international profile will bring “invaluable strengths” to the university.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024
The Northern Super League has fleshed out its front office with four appointments.
Jose Maria Celestino da Costa was named vice-president and head of soccer operations while Marianne Brooks was appointed vice-president of partnerships, Kelly Shouldice as vice-president of brand and content and Joyce Sou as vice-president of finance and business operations.
The new six-team women’s pro league is set to kick off in April.
“Their unique expertise and leadership are crucial as we lay the foundation for not just a successful league in Canada, but one that stands among the top sports leagues in the world,” NSL president Christina Litz said in a statement. “By investing in top-tier talent and infrastructure, the Northern Super League is committed to creating a league that will elevate the game and set new standards for women’s professional soccer globally.”
Da Costa will oversee all on-field matters, including officiating. His resume includes stints with Estoril Praia, a men’s first-division team in Portugal, and the Portuguese Soccer Federation, where he helped develop the Portuguese women’s league.
Brooks spent a decade with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, working in “partnership sales and retention efforts” for the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Warriors, and Rogers Arena. Most recently, she served as senior director of account management at StellarAlgo, a software company that helps pro sports teams connect with their fans
Shouldice has worked for Corus Entertainment, the Canadian Football League, and most recently as vice-president of Content and Communications at True North Sports & Entertainment, where she managed original content as well as business and hockey communications.
Sou, who was involved in the league’s initial launch, will oversee financial planning, analysis and the league’s expansion strategy in her new role.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
MAYERTHORPE, Alta. – An emergency alert has been issued in an area west of Edmonton for two armed men.
RCMP say the men are on foot after a robbery.
They say people in the area of Mayerthorpe should not open their doors to strangers or pick up hitchhikers.
They say the suspects are dangerous and should not be approached.
One man is described as white, about 30 years-old, five feet 11 inches tall, 205 pounds with dark hair and dark eyes, who was last seen wearing a cowboy hat and black sweater.
The other man is six feet tall, about 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black flat brim hat with red letters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.