The latest news on COVID-19 developments in Canada (all times Eastern):
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6:28 p.m.
B.C.’s top doctor says the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province is not ticking upwards as rapidly as it had been recently.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the average daily number of infections stemming from each confirmed case has declined and is now close to one.
The latest epidemiological modelling comes as Henry reports that 358 new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in B.C. since Friday.
She says four more people have died and 66 people are in hospital.
There has been one new community outbreak at a distribution facility in Delta, B.C., where the Fraser Health Authority has also suspended inpatient admissions at the local hospital due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
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5:34 p.m.
Quebec is officially recommending Quebecers download the federal smartphone application that notifies people who have come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Premier Francois Legault told reporters today his government is satisfied with the security features in the COVID Alert app and that it will help the province reduce infections.
The app is active in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quebec reported 1,191 new COVID-19 cases today, the highest single-day total since the beginning of the pandemic.
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5:30 p.m.
Alberta’s top doctor says she’s concerned about a surge in COVID-19 cases in Edmonton and alarmed that many people are going to work or socializing while sick.
The province recorded 982 active cases in the Edmonton Zone in today’s update, up from 851 last Thursday.
The Edmonton area now makes up 55 per cent of the Alberta’s total of 1,783 active cases.
Chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw says public health officials are having conversations with the city to see if any additional restrictions are needed to bring transmission down.
Hinshaw says it’s troubling that 11 per cent of active cases are attending work or going to social gatherings while symptomatic.
Alberta reported a total of 578 new cases between Friday and Sunday.
There have been eight new deaths over that time frame, bringing the provincial total to 280.
Sixty-two people are in hospital, including 14 in intensive care.
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2:25 p.m.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the first rapid COVID-19 tests from Abbott Laboratories will begin arriving in Canada next week.
Last week the federal government said it had ordered 7.9 million Abbott ID Now rapid tests.
The tests can produce a result in 13 minutes at the site where the test is taken.
About 2.5 million of them are supposed to arrive before the end of the year.
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2:10 p.m.
The Manitoba government is requiring bars and other licensed establishments in the greater Winnipeg region to close early, in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Starting Wednesday, alcohol sales will have to stop at 10 p.m. and closing time will be 11 p.m.
The government is reporting 51 new cases, 35 of which are in Winnipeg.
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1:30 p.m.
Quebec is making mask-wearing mandatory at all times inside high schools located in regions at the highest COVID-19 alert level.
Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge said today that starting on Thursday, all high school students will need to wear masks outside on school grounds and inside the classroom.
He says students in Grades 10 and 11 will also begin attending school on a rotating schedule, one day out of every two.
The new measures apply to so-called “red” zones, including the Montreal and Quebec City areas, and they apply until at least Oct. 28.
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1 p.m.
Ontario is reporting 615 new cases of COVID-19 today, and five new deaths due to the virus.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says 289 cases are in Toronto, 88 in Peel Region and 81 in Ottawa.
The province says it has a backlog of 68,006 tests, and has conducted 38,196 tests since the last daily report.
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12:40 p.m.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he was tested for COVID-19 last month after getting “a tickle” in his throat, and the result was negative.
Trudeau says he asked his doctor whether he should be tested after he started feeling off, and followed the advice to seek a test.
He says he returned to work a few days after the result when he was feeling fully recovered.
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11:50 a.m.
Public Health officials in New Brunswick are reporting two new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to five.
One case involves a person between 20 and 29 years old in the Moncton region that is related to international travel and who is self-isolating.
The second case is a person between 60 and 69 years old in the Saint John region that is related to travel from outside of the Atlantic bubble and who is self-isolating.
New Brunswick has had 203 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus while 196 people have recovered and there have been two deaths.
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11:30 a.m.
Quebec is reporting 1,191 new COVID-19 cases today — the highest single-day total since the beginning of the pandemic.
Health officials reported two deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours and three that they said occurred between Sept. 28 and Oct. 3.
The province reported one additional death today that they said occurred at an unknown date.
Hospitalizations increased by 27 compared with the prior day, for a total of 361, while 62 people are in intensive care, a decrease of two.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
