Health
COVID-19 update for Dec. 22: Here's the latest on coronavirus in B.C. – Vancouver Sun
Article content continued
IN-DEPTH:COVID-19: Here are all the B.C. cases of the novel coronavirus
B.C. GUIDES AND LINKS
• COVID-19: Here’s everything you need to know about the novel coronavirus
• COVID-19 FAQ: What you need to know about the vaccine rollout in B.C.
• COVID-19: Have you been exposed? Here are all B.C. public health alerts
• COVID-19 at B.C. schools: Here are the school district exposure alerts
• COVID-19: Avoid these hand sanitizers that are recalled in Canada
• COVID-19: Here’s where to get tested in Metro Vancouver
• B.C. COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool
LATEST NEWS on COVID-19 in B.C.
3 p.m. – Health officials are set to share latest figures on COVID-19 in B.C.
Health officials are expected to update the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and recoveries across the province.
Monday, 3 p.m. – 1,667 new cases, 41 additional deaths
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, said Monday that the province recorded 1,667 new cases of COVID-19 on the weekend.
There have been a total of 47,067 positive tests for COVID-19 in the province since the start of the pandemic.
She also reported that 41 more people had died from the disease.
On Monday, Henry confirmed that vaccine deliveries have now arrived in every health region in the province.
“The other health regions are preparing, even as we speak, to get immunization clinics underway in the coming days,” she said.
Since the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be stored in ultra-cold freezers at minus-70ºC, Henry said health officials are still figuring out a way to transfer the vaccine to places such as long-term care facilities where it’s most needed. It may be that the province will have to wait until Health Canada approves the vaccine from U.S. biotech firm Moderna before it can expand its immunization effort to cover the B.C.’s most vulnerable.
Health
Quebec successfully pushes back against rise in measles cases – CBC.ca
Quebec appears to be winning its battle against the rising tide of measles after 45 cases were confirmed province-wide this year.
“We’ve had no locally transmitted measles cases since March 25, so that’s good news,” said Dr. Paul Le Guerrier, responsible for immunization for Montreal Public Health.
There are 17 patients with measles in Quebec currently, and the most recent case is somebody who was infected while abroad, he said.
But it was no small task to get to this point.
Le Guerrier said once local transmission was detected, news was spread fast among health centres to ensure proper protocols were followed — such as not letting potentially infected people sit in waiting rooms for hours on end.
Then about 90 staffers were put to work, tracking down those who were in contact with positive cases and are not properly vaccinated. They were given post-exposure prophylaxis, which prevents disease, said Le Guerrier.
From there, a vaccination campaign was launched, especially in daycares, schools and neighbourhoods with low inoculation rates. There was an effort to convince parents to get their children vaccinated.
Vaccination in schools boosted
Some schools, mostly in Montreal, had vaccination rates as low as 30 or 40 per cent.
“Vaccination was well accepted and parents responded well,” said Le Guerrier. “Some schools went from very low to as high as 85 to 90 per cent vaccination coverage.”
But it’s not only children who aren’t properly vaccinated. Le Guerrier said people need two doses after age one to be fully inoculated, and he encouraged people to check their status.
There are all kinds of reasons why people aren’t vaccinated, but it’s only about five per cent who are against immunization, he said. So far, some 10,000 people have been vaccinated against measles province-wide during this campaign, Le Guerrier said.
The next step is to continue pushing for further vaccination, but he said, small outbreaks are likely in the future as measles is spreading abroad and travellers are likely to bring it back with them.
Need to improve vaccination rate, expert says
Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious diseases specialist from the McGill University Health Centre, said it’s not time to rest on our laurels, but this is a good indication that public health is able to take action quickly and that people are willing to listen to health recommendations.
“We are not seeing new cases or at least the new cases are not exceeding the number of cases that we can handle,” said Vinh.
“So these are all reassuring signs, but I don’t think it’s a sign that we need to become complacent.”
Vinh said there are also signs that the public is lagging in vaccine coverage and it’s important to respond to this with improved education and access. Otherwise, microbes capitalize on our weaknesses, he said.
Getting vaccination coverage up to an adequate level is necessary, Vinh said, or more small outbreaks like this will continue to happen.
“And it’s very possible that we may not be able to get one under control if we don’t react quickly enough,” he said.
Health
Pregnant women in the Black Country urged to get whooping cough vaccine – BBC.com
Pregnant women urged to get whooping cough vaccine
Pregnant women in the Black Country are being urged to get vaccinated against whooping cough after a rise in cases.
The bacterial infection of the lungs spreads very easily and can cause serious problems, especially in babies and young children.
The Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) is advising pregnant women between 16 and 32 weeks to contact their GP to get the vaccine so their baby has protection from birth.
The UK Health Security Agency warned earlier this year of a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine in pregnant women and children.
Symptoms of the infection, also known as “100-day cough”, are similar to a cold, with a runny nose and sore throat.
Sally Roberts, chief nursing officer for the ICB, which covers Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell, said anyone could catch it, but it was more serious for young children and babies.
“Getting vaccinated while you’re pregnant is highly effective in protecting your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life – ideally from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy,” she said.
“If for any reason you miss having the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into labour.”
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Health
Measles cases stabilize in Montreal – CityNews Montreal
The number of measles cases has stabilized, according to the Montreal Public Health.
Since March 25, there have been no contaminations reported within the community.
“Our teams have identified all contact cases of measles,” said media relations advisor Geneviève Paradis. “It’s a laborious task: each measles case produces hundreds of contacts.”
All community transmission cases since February 2024 have been caused by returning travelers who were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
Currently, there are 18 measles cases in Montreal – with 46 total in Quebec. This according to the April 18 figures from the provincial government.
“With the summer vacations approaching, if you’re travelling, it is essential to check if you are protected against measles,” explained Paradis.
According to Montreal Public Health, a person needs to have received two doses after the age of 12 months to be immunized against the virus.
They’ve launched a vaccination campaign throughout the region, and currently, 11,341 people have been vaccinated against measles in Montreal between March 19 and April 15.
Vaccination is also being provided in schools and at local service points.
“The vaccination operation is under the responsibility of the five CIUSSS of the territory,” concluded Paradis.
-
Science7 hours ago
Jeremy Hansen – The Canadian Encyclopedia
-
Investment7 hours ago
UK Mulls New Curbs on Outbound Investment Over Security Risks – BNN Bloomberg
-
Health20 hours ago
Supervised consumption sites urgently needed, says study – Sudbury.com
-
Tech6 hours ago
Save $700 Off This 4K Projector at Amazon While You Still Can – CNET
-
Sports5 hours ago
Auston Matthews denied 70th goal as depleted Leafs lose last regular-season game – Toronto Sun
-
News20 hours ago
Canada's 2024 budget announces 'halal mortgages'. Here's what to know – National Post
-
Tech5 hours ago
'Kingdom Come: Deliverance II' Revealed In Epic New Trailer And It Looks Incredible – Forbes
-
Science20 hours ago
Giant, 82-foot lizard fish discovered on UK beach could be largest marine reptile ever found – Livescience.com