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Ontario reports 2,448 new cases of COVID-19 and 19 more deaths – CBC.ca

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Ontario reported 2,448 new cases of COVID-19 and 19 more deaths on Sunday, marking the fourth consecutive day of new daily cases topping 2,000. 

Health Minister Christine Elliott said Toronto has 780 cases, Peel Region has 356, York Region has 278, Durham Region has 219 and Ottawa has 150.

There are 917 people with COVID-19 in hospital, although the province says more than 10 per cent of hospitals have not reported their numbers over the weekend.

Of the people in hospital, 366 of them are in intensive care units and 217 are on ventilators. 

The province’s network of labs completed 50,200 tests in the past 24 hours. 

As of 8 p.m. on Saturday, Ontario reported that 64,950 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered since the last daily update. A total of 1,981,282 vaccines have been given in the province so far.

The new deaths reported on Sunday bring the province’s COVID-19-related death toll to 7,327.

Ontario has a cumulative total of 343,140 confirmed cases of COVID-19. That is the total number of cases recorded in the province since the pandemic began. The province says 317,408 cases have been marked as resolved.

There are 60 ongoing outbreaks, or outbreaks not yet declared over, in long-term care homes, 38 in retirement homes and 34 in hospitals, according to the Ministry of Health.

The province’s seven-day rolling average, which helps smooth out peaks and valleys in the data, now stands at 2,038. This is the first time Ontario has seen this figure top 2,000 since late January. 

An undated transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, also known as novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. (NIAID Integrated Research Facility/Reuters)

Variants of concern account for 1,755 new cases

As for variants of concern, Ontario has a cumulative total of 1,625 confirmed COVID-19 cases of the B117 lineage, or the variant first detected in the United Kingdom, 63 of the B.1.351, or the variant first detected in South Africa, and 67 of the P1, or the variant first detected in Brazil. 

Variants of concern now account for 1,755 COVID-19 cases across the province.

Early evidence suggests all of the variants of concern make COVID-19 more transmissible, while the variants first detected in South Africa and Brazil also are believed to reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

Samples that test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are tested for mutations common to variants of concern. If the samples screen positive for a mutation, genome sequencing is done to pinpoint the variant of concern.

As of 8 p.m. on Saturday, Ontario reported that 64,950 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered since the last daily update. A total of 1,981,282 vaccines have been given in the province so far. (Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images)

Education minister asks Ottawa for vaccines for children

In a letter on Friday, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce asked the federal government to consider procuring and distributing COVID-19 vaccines for children.

The letter was addressed to Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand and Ahmed Hussen, the Families, Children and Social Development Minister.

“We are now entering a new phase of the pandemic, one represented by cautious hope with the introduction of vaccines for adults that will help reduce the impact of COVID-19,” Lecce wrote.

“As Canada continues its vaccination efforts for adults, it is critical that we look ahead and apply lessons learned on the importance of forward planning for the procurement and distribution of vaccines for our students and children.”

Lecce noted that the clinical trials are underway to determine vaccine efficacy in children and results are expected in months. 

“While this is hopeful news, it also underscores the necessity to start to plan immediately so that Canada is the leader on vaccine roll-out. Vaccination of children and students will be a critical part of ending the pandemic and keeping our children safe,” Lecce continued.

The minister said that while children and young people often experience milder COVID-19 symptoms, they are not immune to the virus and can spread disease in child care and education settings, among family members and in the larger community. 

‘As Canada continues its vaccination efforts for adults, it is critical that we look ahead and apply lessons learned on the importance of forward planning for the procurement and distribution of vaccines for our students and children,’ Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce writes in a letter to three federal cabinet ministers. (CBC)

Lecce called on Anand to firstly ensure that the federal government secures vaccine supply from a range of suppliers for children under 16.

Second, he asked Health Canada to be ready to review, and, when possible, approve vaccines when they are safe for children. And third, he called on the federal government to earmark funds for educating children about vaccinations.

“We cannot count on the vaccination of adults alone to end the pandemic,” Lecce wrote.

Get vaccinated, Toronto mayor urges those 70 and older

Toronto Mayor John Tory, meanwhile, urged residents 70 years and older to get vaccinated.

Tory says three new COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics will open on Monday, but there are still many appointments unfilled. He said supply issues of the vaccine have been resolved and the city is ramping up its rollout of the shots.

Tory said more than 450,000 people in Toronto have received doses thus far. He said he won’t be satisfied until all the vaccination appointments are “sold out.”

2 regions face more restrictions on Monday

Sunday’s numbers come before the province moves two regions into more restricted areas of its colour-coded reopening framework on Monday. As well, five regions in the province’s grey-lockdown zone will see some restrictions loosen on Monday and later in April. 

Starting on Monday at 12:01 a.m., Hamilton will move into the grey-lockdown zone, while the Eastern Ontario Health Unit will move into the red-control zone.

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Bad traffic, changed plans: Toronto braces for uncertainty of its Taylor Swift Era

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TORONTO – Will Taylor Swift bring chaos or do we all need to calm down?

It’s a question many Torontonians are asking this week as the city braces for the arrival of Swifties, the massive fan base of one of the world’s biggest pop stars.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on the downtown core for the singer’s six concerts which kick off Thursday at the Rogers Centre and run until Nov. 23.

And while their arrival will be a boon to tourism dollars — the city estimates more than $282 million in economic impact — some worry it could worsen Toronto’s gridlock by clogging streets that already come to a standstill during rush hour.

Swift’s shows are set to collide with sports events at the nearby Scotiabank Arena, including a Raptors game on Friday and a Leafs game on Saturday.

Some residents and local businesses have already adjusted their plans to avoid the area and its planned road closures.

Aahil Dayani says he and some friends intended to throw a birthday bash for one of their pals until they realized it would overlap with the concerts.

“Something as simple as getting together and having dinner is now thrown out the window,” he said.

Dayani says the group rescheduled the gathering for after Swift leaves town. In the meantime, he plans to hunker down at his Toronto residence.

“Her coming into town has kind of changed up my social life,” he added.

“We’re pretty much just not doing anything.”

Max Sinclair, chief executive and founder of A.I. technology firm Ecomtent, suggested his employees avoid the company’s downtown offices on concert days, saying he doesn’t see the point in forcing people to endure potential traffic jams.

“It’s going to be less productive for us, and it’s going to be just a pain for everyone, so it’s easier to avoid it,” Sinclair said.

“We’re a hybrid company, so we can be flexible. It just makes sense.”

Swift’s concerts are the latest pop culture moment to draw attention to Toronto’s notoriously disastrous daily commute.

In June, One Direction singer Niall Horan uploaded a social media video of himself walking through traffic to reach the venue for his concert.

“Traffic’s too bad in Toronto, so we’re walking to the venue,” he wrote in the post.

Toronto Transit Commission spokesperson Stuart Green says the public agency has been working for more than a year on plans to ease the pressure of so many Swifties in one confined area.

“We are preparing for something that would be akin to maybe the Beatles coming in the ‘60s,” he said.

Dozens of buses and streetcars have been added to transit routes around the stadium, and the TTC has consulted the city on potential emergency scenarios.

Green will be part of a command centre operated by the City of Toronto and staffed by Toronto police leaders, emergency services and others who have handled massive gatherings including the Raptors’ NBA championship parade in 2019.

“There may be some who will say we’re over-preparing, and that’s fair,” Green said.

“But we know based on what’s happened in other places, better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.”

Metrolinx, the agency for Ontario’s GO Transit system, has also added extra trips and extended hours in some regions to accommodate fans looking to travel home.

A day before Swift’s first performance, the city began clearing out tents belonging to homeless people near the venue. The city said two people were offered space in a shelter.

“As the area around Rogers Centre is expected to receive a high volume of foot traffic in the coming days, this area has been prioritized for outreach work to ensure the safety of individuals in encampments, other residents, businesses and visitors — as is standard for large-scale events,” city spokesperson Russell Baker said in a statement.

Homeless advocate Diana Chan McNally questioned whether money and optics were behind the measure.

“People (in the area) are already in close proximity to concerts, sports games, and other events that generate massive amounts of traffic — that’s nothing new,” she said in a statement.

“If people were offered and willingly accepted a shelter space, free of coercion, I support that fully — that’s how it should happen.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.



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‘It’s literally incredible’: Swifties line up for merch ahead of Toronto concerts

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TORONTO – Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans lined up outside the gates of Toronto’s Rogers Centre Wednesday, with hopes of snagging some of the pop star’s merchandise on the eve of the first of her six sold-out shows in the city.

Swift is slated to perform at the venue from Thursday to Saturday, and the following week from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, with concert merchandise available for sale on some non-show days.

Swifties were all smiles as they left the merch shop, their arms full of sweaters and posters bearing pictures of the star and her Eras Tour logo.

Among them was Zoe Haronitis, 22, who said she waited in line for about two hours to get $300 worth of merchandise, including some apparel for her friends.

Haronitis endured the autumn cold and the hefty price tag even though she hasn’t secured a concert ticket. She said she’s hunting down a resale ticket and plans to spend up to $600.

“I haven’t really budgeted anything,” Haronitis said. “I don’t care how much money I spent. That was kind of my mindset.”

The megastar’s merchandise costs up to $115 for a sweater, and $30 for tote bags and other accessories.

Rachel Renwick, 28, also waited a couple of hours in line for merchandise, but only spent about $70 after learning that a coveted blue sweater and a crewneck had been snatched up by other eager fans before she got to the shop. She had been prepared to spend much more, she said.

“The two prized items sold out. I think a lot more damage would have been done,” Renwick said, adding she’s still determined to buy a sweater at a later date.

Renwick estimated she’s spent about $500 in total on “all-things Eras Tour,” including her concert outfit and merchandise.

The long queue for Swift merch is just a snapshot of what the city will see in the coming days. It’s estimated that up to 500,000 visitors from outside Toronto will be in town during the concert period.

Tens of thousands more are also expected to attend Taylgate’24, an unofficial Swiftie fan event scheduled to be held at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Meanwhile, Destination Toronto has said it anticipates the economic impact of the Eras Tour could grow to $282 million as the money continues to circulate.

But for fans like Haronitis, the experience in Toronto comes down to the Swiftie community. Knowing that Swift is going to be in the city for six shows and seeing hundreds gather just for merchandise is “awesome,” she said.

Even though Haronitis hasn’t officially bought her ticket yet, she said she’s excited to see the megastar.

“It’s literally incredible.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Via Rail seeks judicial review on CN’s speed restrictions

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OTTAWA – Via Rail is asking for a judicial review on the reasons why Canadian National Railway Co. has imposed speed restrictions on its new passenger trains.

The Crown corporation says it is seeking the review from the Federal Court after many attempts at dialogue with the company did not yield valid reasoning for the change.

It says the restrictions imposed last month are causing daily delays on Via Rail’s Québec City-Windsor corridor, affecting thousands of passengers and damaging Via Rail’s reputation with travellers.

CN says in a statement that it imposed the restrictions at rail crossings given the industry’s experience and known risks associated with similar trains.

The company says Via has asked the courts to weigh in even though Via has agreed to buy the equipment needed to permanently fix the issues.

Via said in October that no incidents at level crossings have been reported in the two years since it put 16 Siemens Venture trains into operation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CN)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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