News
Regions in Alberta, Manitoba reporting lowest vaccination rates across Canada – CTV News
TORONTO —
As Canada enters the beginning of a Delta-variant-driven fourth wave, health officials across the country are saying its severity will depend predominately on vaccine uptake.
And there are some rural or remote areas where vaccination rates are lagging compared to other parts of the country, stifling efforts to control the virus.
While Canada’s vaccination rates are among some of the highest in the world, some of the country’s lowest can be found in the Prairies.
In the northern part of Alberta, the region of High Level, which has a population includes the 3,000 residents of the town of High Level and more than 20,000 residents in nearby communities and rural areas, reports having only 16 per cent of its eligible population immunized with at least one dose.
According to provincial data, the region of Forty Mile is also struggling to get needles in arms with roughly 30.7 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated, followed by Two Hills County at 32.6 per cent.
However, Alberta health officials have said that these numbers may be low because First Nations reserves in the province ran their own vaccination drives and those numbers are not included in regional tallies.
In Manitoba, only 21.6 per cent of the eligible population in the rural municipality of Stanley has been vaccinated, according to provincial data. The community of Hanover is also reporting a low vaccination rate, where just under 45 per cent of the eligible population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Officials in the province say there are a number of factors keeping residents from getting vaccinated, including difficulty accessing vaccines, medical reasons, religious beliefs, and misinformation.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health told CTVNews.ca on Tuesday that the province’s vaccination rate is lowest in the Far North Central region where 46 per cent of eligible residents have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 33 per cent have both doses.
A spokesperson for the province’s Ministry of Health said in an email that the province encourages everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, highlighting that recent infections in Saskatchewan are occurring in those who have not gotten the jab.
“More than 90 per cent of all new cases and hospitalizations in Saskatchewan in July were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people. Ninety-five per cent of ICU admissions were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and 100 per cent of deaths were unvaccinated,” a spokesperson for Saskatchewan Ministry of Health said.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, released federal modelling data in July that indicated that COVID-19 cases are beginning to rise as a result of the more contagious Delta variant. However, she said there is still time to flatten the curve.
“The updated longer-range forecast shows how the epidemic trajectory may evolve through early September. It suggests that we are at the start of the Delta-driven fourth wave, but that the trajectory will depend on ongoing increases in fully vaccinated coverage, and the timing, pace and extent of reopening,” Tam said.
Federal data reports that there are approximately six million eligible Canadians who have yet to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated.
According to data tracked by CTVNews.ca, 81.4 per cent of the eligible population age 12 and over have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 70.3 per cent are fully vaccinated, as of Tuesday afternoon.
The RCMP say a body that was recovered by authorities in Washington state is believed to be one of two kayakers reported missing off Vancouver Island on Saturday.
Const. Alex Bérubé said the identity of the body found on San Juan Island, just south of the border, is still to be confirmed by the coroner.
A search has been underway in the waters off Sidney, B.C., about 25 kilometres north of Victoria, since the two kayakers were reported missing.
RCMP previously said Daniel MacAlpine, 36, and Nicolas West, 26, went missing while kayaking from D’Arcy Island to View Beach on Saturday afternoon. They were in a teal blue, fibreglass, two-person kayak.
Police said members of the Central Saanich Police Department and Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization search and rescue were involved in the search, and the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre and Canadian Coast Guard were also assisting.
Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Updated on Apr. 23, 2024, 1:30 PM
Prepare for multiple rounds of April snowfall this week, as Labrador braces for wintry conditions. This onslaught of snow is expected to blanket the region, potentially leading to hazardous travel conditions and disruptions throughout the week
As we march even deeper into the heart of the spring season, many parts of Canada are finding it tough to find any consistent signs of warming weather. Add to the mix periods of snow and wintry precipitation, and it’s safe to say the winter season is certainly not going out without a strong fight.
This week, parts of the East Coast will bear the brunt of the winter weather, with multiple rounds of April snowfall stacking up in Labrador. The chances for snow flurries will stick around all week long, bringing as much as 25 cm for some.
MUST SEE: Extreme pattern over Arctic produces 50+ degree temperature spread
Although 25+ cm of snow in April may seem extreme, for this part of the country, it’s definitely nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, the month as a whole brings about 40-50 cm of snow to Labrador on average.
Some communities, including Nain, even have snowfall chances stretch all the way into June!
“This week will be a little bit different however, as some regions could reach about half of Labrador’s monthly averages alone,” says Rachel Modestino, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. “The first round on Tuesday will pack quite the punch, with heavy snow and gusty winds stretching from Labrador city to the coast.”
Winds will be gusting between 70-90 km/h at times, and travel conditions will likely deteriorate quickly due to potential whiteouts and reduced visibility.
Witnesses described hearing a loud blast and seeing large plumes of black smoke on Tuesday morning as a building under construction in Halifax’s north end caught fire.
A message on Halifax’s alert system said the fire was at a building in the area of Robie and St Albans streets. About an hour later, the municipality said the fire was out.
The alert warned people who live on the peninsula to close their windows due to smoke from the fire possibly being toxic.
“Residents and businesses near the fire should still keep windows closed and air exchangers turned off until air quality conditions improve in the coming hours as a precaution,” the municipality said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Halifax Regional Police were asking people to avoid the area during what is normally a time of heavy morning traffic.
James Shaw lives nearby. He said he heard a blast around 8:20 a.m. local time.
“It shook the whole house,” Shaw said in an interview at the scene. “So I came outside … and saw this incredible building here on fire. Big black smoke. Lots of sparks and stuff going.”
Mike Clark was working on the building adjacent to the one that caught fire. He said he was on the 30th floor when the roof of the other building caught fire and propane tanks blew up.
He said construction crews were then evacuated from the building.
“The elevator was shut down and everyone went down the stairs and out the door,” he said. “Everybody on each floor has a horn to check if anybody was left in the building. Sounded the horn and walked down. It was very organized.”
Budget 2024 failed to spark ‘political reboot’ for Liberals, polling suggests – Global News
An extra moon may be orbiting Earth — and scientists think they know exactly where it came from – Livescience.com
Japanese government maintains view that economy is in moderate recovery – ForexLive
Silver investment demand jumped 12% in 2019
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
Global Media Markets, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F – TV and Radio Broadcasting, Film and Music, Information Services, Web Content, Search Portals And Social Media, Print Media, & Cable – GlobeNewswire
-
Business21 hours ago
Honda to build electric vehicles and battery plant in Ontario, sources say – Global News
-
Science22 hours agoWill We Know if TRAPPIST-1e has Life? – Universe Today
-
Health18 hours ago
See how chicken farmers are trying to stop the spread of bird flu – Fox 46 Charlotte
-
Health21 hours ago
Simcoe-Muskoka health unit urges residents to get immunized
-
Investment20 hours ago
Own a cottage or investment property? Here's how to navigate the new capital gains tax changes – The Globe and Mail
-
Science24 hours ago
Lyrid meteor shower 2024: How to see a stunning fireball tonight – BBC Science Focus
-
Science17 hours ago
Osoyoos commuters invited to celebrate Earth Day with the Leg Day challenge – Oliver/Osoyoos News – Castanet.net
-
News17 hours ago
Freeland defends budget measures, as premiers push back on federal involvement – CBC News
