Essential but forgotten? Youth working in grocery stores, cafés feel the strain.
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Canada’s confirmed count of COVID-19 cases passed the one-million mark on Saturday — 14 months after the country’s first known case was recorded — while the number of vaccine shots administered surpassed six million.
The federal government’s goal was to have six million doses arrive in Canada by the end of the first quarter of the year — a target it met last week.
“We’re expecting millions and millions more doses over the next weeks and months,” Procurement Minister Anita Anand told CBC News on Friday. She reiterated that 44 million vaccine doses are expected to arrive by the end of June.
As of 12:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Canada had reported 1,002,823 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 57,399 considered active. A CBC News tally of deaths stood at 23,059.
When asked about the official number of cases, an infectious diseases specialist with Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Ont., said, “It’s actually probably much more than a million.”
“It’s anywhere from five to 10 times more than that, because a lot of the time, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, we weren’t actually catching a lot of the cases that were happening,” Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti told CBC News on Sunday.
“Many cases are mild and are not getting tested,” he said. “The point is, this is a respiratory virus … and their job is essentially to infect people, and they do so very very efficiently.”
The two milestones are emblematic of where the nation stands with COVID-19, ramping up its vaccination drive as more contagious variants of the virus fuel the pandemic’s third wave in several parts of Canada.
Alberta, for instance, is investigating what the province’s chief medical officer of health described as a “significant” outbreak of the P1 variant of concern, which is now the dominant strain in Brazil.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw said in a tweet that the outbreak can be traced back to a returning traveller.
“Health officials are working hard to limit future spread and reaching out directly to those at risk of exposure,” she said. “AHS (Alberta Health Services) will ensure that anyone at risk is isolated, offered testing twice and connected with supports if needed.”
WATCH | Should vaccines be redirected to Canada’s COVID-19 hot spots?
Dr. Amit Arya, a palliative care physician, says Ontario’s new shutdown doesn’t get to the root of the problem. He says we need to focus our attention on vaccinating people at warehouses and at homes in hotspots rather than vaccinating by age groups. 7:16
Hinshaw said officials will provide an update on the investigation on Monday.
That province logged an estimated 1,100 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, roughly half of which are variants of concern.
Hinshaw said 35 per cent of the province’s active COVID-19 cases are due to those variants, which are more contagious and can cause more serious illness.
WATCH | Doctors bring COVID-19 vaccines to homebound seniors:
Ontario’s Covid-19 science table is pushing for more mobile vaccine units to vaccinate seniors in their homes after new data reveals that 25 per cent of Ontario seniors 75 and older have still not received their first shot because they’re either unwilling or unable to leave home for medical reasons. A look at two doctors leading the charge. 2:03
Meanwhile, the United States had administered 161,688,422 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country as of Saturday morning and distributed 207,866,645 doses, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
The tally is for Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines, the agency said.
The CDC said 104,213,478 people had received at least one dose while 59,858,146 people are fully vaccinated as of Saturday.
What’s happening across Canada
Health officials in British Columbia on Saturday announced 2,090 new cases of COVID-19 in the last two days, but did not provide information about deaths, variants of concern or the number of active cases.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix again urged people to stay within their local health authority region to prevent the spread of the respiratory illness.
A total of 856,801 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C. to date, including 87,455 second doses.
WATCH | 2 doctors on how to deal with Canada’s coronavirus 3rd wave:
Infectious disease specialists Dr. Lynora Saxinger and Dr. Zain Chagla discuss the latest restrictions in several provinces and how they’re feeling about where we are in the third wave. 7:54
More drive-thru sites are anticipated to open this week across the province.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority website said the Lloydminster site is expected to open on Sunday, the Saskatoon drive-thru site is anticipated to open on Monday and the Yorkton and Weyburn sites are anticipated to open Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the province has now administered more than 200,000 vaccine doses.
Ontario logged 3,009 new cases as a new provincewide “shutdown” took effect to try to curb soaring infection rates.
The restrictions force gyms and personal care services to close, but allow essential and non-essential retailers to remain open, with their capacities limited to 50 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.
WATCH | ICU doctor says Ontario’s ’emergency brake’ is not enough:
Dr. Michael Warner, medical director of critical care at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto, says the current restrictions are not enough to protect people who are getting sick in the third wave of the pandemic. Warner says the provincial framework won’t stop young people from getting sick and ending up in intensive care units. With permission, Dr. Warner spoke of one patient in particular who was very ill. She has since died. 5:23
Quebec confirmed 1,154 new cases and nine new deaths on Sunday.
Provincial police are patrolling the streets of the province this weekend, on the lookout for indoor private gatherings. They’re focusing largely on the Quebec City area, where there has been a surge in cases in recent days.
New Brunswick registered 11 new cases on Sunday. The province reported a record-high 14 hospitalizations on Saturday, including six in intensive care. Most of those patients are in the hard-hit Edmundston region, which has seen a recent spike in cases, including spread of the B117 variant.
In the Northwest Territories, an outbreak has been declared at the Diavik Diamond Mine about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife after a second worker tested positive for the virus within a week.
What’s happening around the world
As of Sunday, more than 130.9 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to a coronavirus tracking tool maintained by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. The global death toll stood at more than 2.84 million.
In Europe, the U.K. government is planning to launch a vaccine certificate trial over the coming months to determine how mass events can be held safely.
The trial events will include soccer’s FA Cup semi-final and final, the World Snooker Championships, and a comedy club show. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to set out more details on Monday.
The government has said the “status certification system” under development would show whether a person has had a vaccine, a recent negative test or natural immunity from a positive test taken in the previous six months.
Johnson said the trials will play an important role in allowing the “reopening of our country so people can return to the events, travel and other things they love as safely as possible.”
However, dozens of his Conservative Party legislators have opposed the plans, and Johnson could struggle to get Parliament to approve the trials.
In Italy, Pope Francis said Easter Sunday mass under pandemic precautions. Only 200 or so faithful were allowed inside St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate mass and hear the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Italian State Police vehicle is seen in an empty St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images)
Normally, thousands would gather outside in St. Peter’s Square, with more than 100,000 sometimes assembling to receive the Pope’s special Easter blessing after the mass.
But this year, like last year, crowds are banned from gathering in Italy, and at the Vatican. So Francis scheduled his noon Easter address on world affairs to be delivered from inside the basilica.
In South Asia, India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 12,485,509 by Sunday evening local time as 93,249 new cases were reported from across the country over the past 24 hours, according to figures released by the federal health ministry.
In addition, 513 new deaths were registered in the past 24 hours, taking the country’s death toll to 164,623.
The latest number of new daily confirmed cases marks a record high since late September of last year.
The Progressive Conservatives have won a provincial byelection in eastern Ontario, retaining a seat previously held by a popular cabinet minister.
The Bay of Quinte provincial byelection today was held just one month after Todd Smith resigned the seat.
Voters have chosen to send Progressive Conservative candidate Tyler Allsopp to represent them in the legislature.
He has captured about 38 per cent of the vote, with most polls reporting, compared to about 33 per cent for Liberal candidate Sean Kelly.
Both candidates are municipal councillors in Belleville.
Smith won four successive elections in the region for the Tories, securing nearly 50 per cent of the vote in the last two elections, but some experts and polls suggested it may be a closer race this time around.
NDP candidate Amanda Robertson is trailing Allsopp and Kelly in third, with Green Party of Ontario candidate Lori Borthwick in a distant fourth.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
TORONTO – Wynton McManis will get a second shot at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The veteran linebacker returns Friday night when the Toronto Argonauts (7-6) host Hamilton (4-9). McManis missed six games with a groin injury.
“Man, that’s tough as hell,” said McManis, a trademark toothpick in his mouth. “Just seeing your brothers going out there and competing and laying it all on the line and feeling you have something to offer or want to offer something to be able to help, it’s hard.
“But we’re here now, they held it down … and I’m ready to go.”
The six-foot-one, 225-pound McManis registered 33 tackles, two special-teams tackles, a sack, interception and touchdown over Toronto’s first seven regular-season games. McManis, a Memphis, Tenn., native, has been a CFL all-star the last two seasons and helped Toronto win the ’22 Grey Cup.
Toronto comes off a solid 33-17 road win over B.C. last week. Its defence had seven sacks, including three from Ralph Holley, who’s tied for the league lead with seven overall.
“It brings a lot,” Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said of McManis’s return. “A lot of energy, a lot of focus, communication, it’s great for our lockerroom.
“He was with us in B.C. last week and shows veteran leadership even from the sidelines. We’re very excited to have him back … he’ll have a different energy.”
Especially facing Hamilton after being forced to miss the annual Labour Day showdown, which Hamilton won 31-28 on Sept. 2. McManis will also celebrate his 30th birthday Friday.
“Yeah, that’s fun,” McManis said with a grin. “It’s perfect.”
Hamilton can sweep the three-game series with a victory. But more importantly, the Ticats would pull to within four points of third-place Toronto with both teams having four regular-season contests remaining.
Conversely, a Toronto win would push Hamilton eight points back and deal its thin playoff hopes a severe blow.
“It’s an important game because it’s the next one,” McManis said. “But we understand what comes with it, we understand the importance of winning to reach our goals.
“It’s a playoff game for us.”
Hamilton has clinched the season series with Toronto but hasn’t recorded the sweep since 2019. The Argos also have much to play for as they’re currently just three points behind Ottawa (8-4-1), which hosts first-place Montreal (10-2-1) on Saturday.
Hamilton leads the CFL in net offensive yards (395.1 per game) and passing (321 per game). Veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has thrown for 3,682 and 23 TDs — both league highs — but also surrendered 13 interceptions (tied for most).
Mitchell is 14-2 all-time versus Toronto. Hamilton receiver Tim White has 11 catches for 246 yards and two TDs versus the Argos this season while Steven Dunbar Jr. had eight receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 31-27 win over Ottawa.
Running back Greg Bell, who ran for 99 yards and a TD versus Ottawa, is out with an Achilles injury. However, veteran James Butler, twice a 1,000-yard rusher, returns to the lineup.
“James Butler is a great running back in this league,” McManis said. “He and I have had some great battles throughout the years and this season so it will be a fun one.”
Toronto will be minus Janarion Grant (chest), who has a league-best four return TDs this season (three punt, one kickoff).
“We’re going to lose a little bit . . . Janarion has been pretty special and I think he’s up there with the best returners in CFL history,” Dinwiddie said. “We’ve got to find a way to play good football on offence and defence to where special teams doesn’t have to carry us.”
Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich said his team heads into Friday’s contest in a good place.
“I think winning certainly helps the mood, the energy, the belief, the faith in what we’re doing,” he told Hamilton reporters this week. “They’re believing, they’re practising hard and they’re starting to see the fruits of those labours.”
Milanovich said Hamilton’s keys to success on Friday remain unchanged.
“It’s about protecting the football, penalties and explosive plays, protecting the quarterback and hitting their quarterback,” he said. “It’s never going to change.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve started to get that and hopefully we can keep it going.”
Toronto’s Chad Kelly is averaging 344 passing yards in his four starts this season and has won four of five career games versus Hamilton. Since 2021, the Argos are 10-4 against the Ticats, including 6-0 at BMO Field.
“Really, we just don’t want to lose this game,” Dinwiddie said. “We’ve got to stack up some wins to get ourselves locked into the playoffs and maybe try and get a home playoff game.
“Now, there will be a little added rivalry and I think the game will be physical. I know they’re feeling confident, they’ve beat us twice and we can’t take them lightly.”
Added McManis: “It’s like a self-esteem, self-respect type of thing at this point in the season. Who do you want to be? You should understand that. We go into each game each week wanting to win and put our best foot forward and put the best version of the Toronto Argonauts on the field.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
MAINEVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Nelly Korda had a tough time getting out of bed Thursday morning. Any Solheim Cup fatigue had no bearing on her standard of golf, a bogey-free 67 in the Kroger Queen City Championship that left her two shots behind Ashleigh Buhai.
Korda and Leona Maguire, who also had a 5-under 67, are among 11 players who competed in the Solheim Cup last week and got right back to work at the TPC River’s Bend. Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., also had a 67 on the day to be tied for fourth.
Buhai, a former Women’s British Open champion from South Africa, isn’t part of the Solheim Cup and had a few weeks to rest from an injury-plagued season. She ran off eight birdies for her 7-under 65, giving her a one-shot lead over Jeeno Thitikul and Yan Liu.
“Just shows that rest is just as important,” Buhai said. “I know if I give myself five days to warm up, with my coach coming in, we did good work, and, yeah, it was nice to actually just see it pay off today.”
Korda at least had the afternoon for nap time after her early start. She went 3-1 in her matches last week in the Solheim Cup as the Americans defeated Europe for the first time in seven years.
“I’m looking forward to the stay-in-bed-all-day vibe today. It was definitely tough kind of waking up this morning, but I do love competing and I love being out here,” Korda said. “Everyone that played last week is going to be tired. I’m just trying to take it one step at a time, know that my energy levels aren’t the greatest, but I’m still motivated.”
She found additional motivation not so much from her five birdies but keeping a clean card.
“There is just no greater feeling than minimized your mistakes, or making no mistakes,” Korda said. “Whenever you get to play a bogey-free round I feel like it motivates you, and hopefully I can take that energy into the next three days.”
Maguire only played two matches last week, having played all five matches her previous two appearances. She wasn’t pleased about being sat out, especially after she easily disposed of Ally Ewing (4 and 3) in singles.
But maybe there was one upside.
“Last couple of Solheims I’ve played five matches, been exhausted after the Solheim,” she said. “So nice to be a little bit fresher time around.”
Korda and Maguire were part of a large group at 67 that included Lydia Ko, who last played three weeks ago and had every reason to be floating on air. Along with winning Olympic gold just over a month ago, she captured the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews.
Ko said her big summer — winning the gold medal got her into the LPGA Hall of Fame — still hasn’t sunk in. She arrived in the Cincinnati area having to learn a new course. The tournament was held at Kenwood Country Club the last two years, which is going through some improvements.
“It’s a new golf course, so all of us are just trying to get used to this TPC course and just putting ourselves in position,” Ko said. “And sometimes I think when you do see low scores, you try and chase it too much, but I just tried to stick to my own kind of routine and my strategy.”
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp had a 69, while Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., shot 71.
Rose Zhang went 4-0 in her matches at the Solheim Cup — needing only 58 holes — and finished with three straight bogeys for a 73. Esther Henseleit had a 74, and the other seven Solheim Cup players were at par or better.
