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New COVID-19 modelling shows pandemic resurgence in Canada rapidly worsening – CTV News

Published

4 years ago

January 15, 2021

OTTAWA —
The spread of COVID-19 continues to surge rapidly across the country, with tens of thousands of new cases and thousands of additional deaths forecasted in the coming weeks.

New national modelling released on Friday shows that Canada is on track to see up to 796,630 total COVID-19 cases and 19,630 deaths by Jan. 24 and federal officials are urging swift action to avoid Canadian doctors having to make “impossible choices,” such as who gets an ICU bed.

The short-term forecast shows a “continuation of rapid growth” and if Canadians continue to have the same amount of close contact with others, the epidemic will continue to resurge.

“We need to keep reducing in-person contacts. For the moment that’s the only way to get these numbers down,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a Rideau Cottage address on Friday.

“We’ve seen the kinds of impossible choices hospitals in other countries had to face when they become overwhelmed. Deciding who gets an ICU bed and who doesn’t, well that’s not where we want to be. So please keep following public health guidelines and stay safe,” Trudeau said.

Unless the extent and severity of restrictions are further intensified, Canada will not be able to suppress the current rate of spread, warned Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam on Friday.

“We have yet to see the kind of widespread and sustained declines in daily case counts that would indicate we’re bringing the pandemic under control nationally.”

While the pandemic situation is not uniform across the country, overall there has been a steady increase in hospitalizations in provinces with high infection rates since October, with an average of more than 4,700 people being treated in hospital on any given day, with 875 in ICUs.

Once someone is hospitalized with COVID-19, they tend to stay around 16 days, though it’s often longer for those with severe illness. This has strained the capacity of Canada’s health-care system, and has exhausted health-care workers, Tam said.

In most of the country there is now widespread community transmission and a growing number of outbreaks in long-term care facilities and other high-risk settings like correctional facilities and shelters.

Trudeau said that the increase in outbreaks in long-term care homes is “tragic,” and Canada’s elderly and most vulnerable deserve better.

COVID-19 deaths are also “steadily rising,” and the daily death totals may soon exceed the levels seen during the first peak of the virus last spring. The daily case counts have already far exceeded the peak of the first wave.

Seniors continue to represent the highest percentage of COVID-19 deaths, though to date 70 deaths have been reported in adults 20 to 39 years of age.

In an interview on CTV News Channel speaking about the severity of the virus in Ontario which is now under a province-wide stay-at-home order, infectious disease expert Dr. Abdu Sharkawy said that “we’re in serious trouble.”

“That’s a lot of people lost, that’s a lot of families that will never be together again,” he said, citing the 100 deaths reported in the province on Friday.

“There’s a lot of work to be done here, there’s still a lot of stress going on in our ICUs, in our emergency rooms, and it’s not tenable so we’ve got a lot more work to do to drive those numbers down,” said Sharkawy.

QUICK, STRONG ACTION NEEDED

The Public Health Agency of Canada is calling for “quick, strong and sustained measures” to interrupt the current growth trajectory this country is currently charting.

Asked if new COVID-19 variants are being included in these modelling figures, Tam said no but separate modelling is being done on various scenarios depending on the ongoing proliferation of new, more transmissible strains being detected.

The last time national modelling was presented a month ago, the forecast was that Canada was on a “rapid growth trajectory” and was not at all flattening the curve of the second wave of cases in this country. Friday’s modelling shows the virus’ spread is still on this rapid growth path.

While some provinces had started to show a downward trajectory at the end of December, new cases rose again after the holidays. Health officials said this was likely due to people having more contacts around Christmas and other celebrations, but also likely because people held off from getting tested until early in the new year.

During the final modelling presentation of 2020, Canada’s top public health officials expressed hope that the then-recent introduction of more stringent measures in some provinces would make an impact in reducing transmission over the next few weeks.

However, Friday’s modelling shows Canada continues to see a “sharp increase” in daily COVD-19 cases since December.

“We need to flatten the curve once again,” Tam said.

VACCINE WON’T BE ENOUGH

While the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollout is positive news, offering initial additional protection for those on Canada’s front line and to the most vulnerable, Tam warned that it will still be months before most Canadians get access to shots and it’s essential that the health-care system has the capacity to administer them on a mass scale when the time comes.

That will be challenging if the virus continues to amplify and more Canadians are hospitalized.

“Public health measures work. The vaccine in the short term is not going to make any difference to the transmission,” Tam said.

“As vaccine supply increases, COVID-19 vaccine implementation will be one of the most complex undertakings in the history of public health. We know that Canadians are tired and that the winter months will be very challenging as we continue to grapple with high rates of infection in many areas of the country,” Tam said.

“Often the end of the race is the hardest part, but it won’t last forever. For now, we must redouble our efforts at this pivotal moment and get this done.”

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Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes battle to 19-19 tie

Published

24 seconds ago

September 14, 2024

Anne Joseph

CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders ended a four-game losing streak and the Montreal Alouettes remained unbeaten on the road this CFL season with a 19-19 tie Saturday.

The two clubs traded field goals in overtime for the game to end in a stalemate.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 19 or 26 pass attempts for 204 yards and scored a rushing touchdown for Montreal (10-2-1) in his third start since he was sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Montreal kicker Jose Maltos kicked field goals from 53 and 42 yards, and from 30 and 37 yards in overtime.

His Stampeders counterpart Rene Paredes was good from 14 and 16 yards, missed from 51 and 52 yards, and then made a pair of 42-yarders in OT in front of an announced 20,187 at McMahon Stadium.

Quarterback Jake Maier was 29-of-37 in passing for 236 yards for Calgary (4-8-1). He was restored to starter after backing up Logan Bonner in a 37-16 road loss to the Edmonton Elks.

Calgary’s Marken Michel had a touchdown catch and Dedrick Mills rushed for 122 yards.

The Stampeders led 13-10 when Paredes’ 51-yard try early in the fourth rebounded off the left upright.

The Stampeders worked the ball to Montreal’s 15-yard line with just over two minutes to go, but undid that work with two major penalties.

Paredes’ 52-yard attempt was wide right to give the ball to Montreal with just over a minute to play.

Fajardo marched the offence downfield and with a second remaining, Maltos tied the game with a 42-yard field goal.

Paredes’ 16-yard field goal gave the Stampeders a 13-7 edge, but the Alouettes continued to chase with Maltos’ 53-yarder late in the third quarter.

Calgary led 10-7 with five minutes left in the first half when backup quarterback Tommy Stevens — inserted for a short-yardage touchdown attempt — fumbled on the two-yard line and turned the ball over.

Fajardo then threw the ball out of Montreal’s end zone 50 yards to Charleston Rambo, but that drive stalled at midfield.

Montreal’s Mustafa Johnson recovered teammate Justin Sambu’s knock-down of a Maier pass and rumbled for the end zone as the clock ticked down on the half.

Stampeder running back Peyton Logan brought down the defensive tackle at the five-yard line to preserve Calgary’s three-point lead at the half.

Montreal’s Sean Thomas-Erlington blocked a Cody Grace punt and corralled the ball in the end zone early in the second quarter.

Instead of a touchdown, however, the Alouette was assessed a penalty for roughing the kicker.

But Walter Fletcher’s 55-yard dash up the middle set up Fajardo’s three-yard touchdown early in the quarter.

Maier threw four interceptions in a 35-20 home loss to the Elks on Labour Day, which prompted the quarterback shuffle.

Maier threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Michel in the end zone Saturday on Calgary’s second possession.

The hosts didn’t convert Montreal’s fumble on the subsequent kickoff into a bigger lead.

James Letcher Jr. lost the ball on the Alouettes’ 23-yard line. The Stampeders settled for a 14-yard field goal by Paredes and a 10-point lead after the opening quarter.

PERPETUAL PAREDES

Calgary kicker Rene Paredes moved into a tie for second in all-time Stampeder games with his 224th on Saturday. He drew even with defensive back and kicker Larry Robinson (1961-75). Kicker Mark McLoughlin (1988-2003) is the all-time leader with 276.

INDIGENOUS NIGHT

Saturday’s Indigenous Night game was radio broadcast in the Blackfoot language by Butch Wolfleg and Jacob Leblanc, in addition to the customary English broadcast.

Stampeder players wore orange jerseys during warm-up and their helmets featured a special horse logo to honour and raise awareness of thousands of Indigenous children sent to residential schools.

UP NEXT

The Stampeders are home Friday to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Montreal Alouettes continue a run of three straight road games Saturday against the Ottawa Redblacks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2024.

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Ontario’s Josh Ross wins big while k.d. lang rocks with The Reclines at CCMAs

Published

56 seconds ago

September 14, 2024

Anne Joseph

EDMONTON – Josh Ross and his whisky-soaked ballad of heartbreak and hope took home top honours Saturday as k.d. lang got the band back together at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

Ross, from Burlington, Ont., captured single of the year for “Trouble.” The 28-year-old former college football player turned country star also took home male artist of the year and entertainer of the year at the show, held at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

“This song was a surreal song,” Ross said, adding it highlights the struggles he felt when moving to Nashville to pursue his music career.

Ross said he and his band play roughly 150 shows every year and are never home, but said he feels that taking home entertainer of the year made the hard work worth it.

“I thank each and every one of you,” he said.

On Friday, he also won two industry awards for top-selling Canadian single of the year (“Trouble”) and top-selling Canadian album of the year (“It’s Complicated.”)

Alberta’s MacKenzie Porter took home a top prize as female artist of the year, ending the five-year run for Tenille Townes.

The win was sweet relief for Porter, of Medicine Hat, Alta., who had been nominated for the award seven times in the last decade before capturing her own lightning in a bottle Saturday.

She won video of the year for “Chasing Tornadoes,” a toe-tapping salute to the swirling winds of romance set against the lonely Nevada desert and the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Porter said it takes a lot of hard work and hustle to succeed as a female in the country music industry and gave a shout out to her fellow singers and newborn daughter.

“I’ve been nominated (for the CCMAs) 28 times and this is one of my first wins,” said Porter in her first televised appearance since having a baby.

“So to all of you artists out there, keep pushing.”

Porter was up for six awards, tying the top nomination spot with Jade Eagleson of Bailieboro, Ont. Eagleson took home album of the year for “Do It Anyway.”

Porter co-hosted the show with American crooner Thomas Rhett, and along with the music, there was a little hockey. Edmonton Oilers players Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry came on stage and dubbed Rhett an honorary Canadian as he donned an Oilers jersey.

The highlight of the night was lang celebrating her induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame by reelin’ and rockin’ with The Reclines for the first time in 35 years.

They performed “Big Boned Gal” — from the last album they recorded together in 1989 — about the gal in the blue dress with the bounce in her step shakin’ and snakin’ at the legion hall.

Lang embodied the character in the song as she strutted across the stage, clad in a blue and green western-style dress.

“That was a piece of cake,” lang told reporters after her performance. “Good friendships have this capacity to erase time. That certainly happened when we got together.”

Lang, from Consort, Alta., burst onto Edmonton’s music scene in the early 1980s with The Reclines, a tribute band to American country star Patsy Cline.

She told the crowd she’s “profoundly grateful” for the experiences she’s had in her career and thanked Canadians for going on the journey with her.

“I love you, big time,” said lang.

Among the other winners, the James Barker Band from Woodville, Ont., took home group of the year and the fans’ choice award. During their acceptance speech, frontman Barker hinted at new music and a possible tour in 2025.

Owen Riegling of Mildmay, Ont., also won for breakthrough artist of the year and best songwriting for “Old Dirt Roads.”

Speaking on the red carpet before the awards show, Riegling remembered writing the song five years ago in one hour and recorded it as a demo.

Once he signed with Universal Music Canada, they recorded a new version.

“It’s had a long journey, and it’s cool to see it finally connecting with people and reaching people,” he said.

“Never would have ever guessed I’d end up here.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2024.

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k.d. lang rocks with the Reclines at Canadian Country Music Association awards

Published

1 hour ago

September 14, 2024

Anne Joseph

EDMONTON – The legendary k.d. lang got the band back together at the Canadian Country Music Association awards show.

Lang teamed up with the Reclines for the first time in 35 years to belt out “Big Boned Gal” from their last album together in 1989.

Clad in a blue and green western-style dress, lang strut across the stage in Edmonton to embody the “big boned gal from southern Alberta.”

The awards show saw Alberta’s MacKenzie Porter and Ontario’s Josh Ross take home hardware for being best female and male artists of the year.

Ross also won entertainer of the year and single of the year for “Trouble.”

Ontario artist Jade Eagleson won album of the year for “Do It Anyway.”

The James Barker Band from Woodville, Ont., won fans’ choice and group of the year.

During their acceptance speech, frontman Barker hinted at new music and a possible tour in 2025.

Ross says he and his band play roughly 150 shows every year and are never home, but says taking home entertainer of the year made the hard work worth it.

Porter won for female artist of the year and top video for “Chasing Tornadoes.”

The female artist win ends the five-year streak of Tenille Townes being awarded the coveted hardware.

Porter had been nominated seven times previously for the award in the past decade but hadn’t won until now.

The artist from Medicine Hat, Alta., says it takes a lot of hard work and hustle to succeed as a female in the country music industry and gave a shout out to her fellow singers and her newborn daughter.

Joining the two artists in the winners’ circle was Ontario singer-songwriter Owen Riegling, who won for breakthrough artist of the year.

The show began with American artist and co-host Thomas Rhett being dubbed an honorary Canadian by Edmonton Oilers players Corey Perry and Leon Draisaitl.

Rhett donned an Oilers jersey that was gifted to him by the pair.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2024.

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