The U.K. has become the second country to record more than 30,000 deaths as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, said at the government's daily briefing that another 649 people in the U.K. have died in all settings, including hospitals and care homes, after testing positive for the coronavirus. That takes the U.K.'s official death toll to 30,076, only behind the United States, which has more than 71,000 coronavirus-related deaths. The British government is expected to extend the lockdown restrictions on Thursday when they come up for review, partly

Police say Metro Vancouver gangs may be producing their own illegal drug supplies in an effort to get around border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vancouver police announced officers uncovered millions of dollars worth of drugs, including 20 kilograms of what's suspected to be fentanyl, as part of a four month investigation. Inspector Bill Spearn says police believe the seizure shows gangs may be producing their own drugs to get around closer scrutiny at ports and the Canada-US border. He says it's another example of gangs changing drug trafficking methods to deal with law enforcem

Six hearses lined up on the tarmac at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario today, as the Forces Members killed in Canada's worst military tragedy in more than a decade were welcomed home. The families of the dead and missing from last week's helicopter crash off Greece met privately with a mask-wearing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau and Governor-General Julie Payette then watched as the casket carrying the remains of Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough was carried from a heavy transport aircraft. The body of the 23-year-old sailor is the only one recovered from the Ionian Sea. The se

Quebec is reporting an additional 112 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 2,510. The total number of cases has risen to 34,327, an increase of 910 from the previous day. Of those cases, 8,284 are classified as recovered. There are 1,840 people in hospital, including 213 in intensive care. Deputy premier Genevieve Guilbault announced a $31-million government action plan to combat mental health impacts of the pandemic.

The chief public health officer has acknowledged that the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19 in Canada has now exceeded the national projections for potentially 3,883 deaths by May 5. Just over 4,100 people have died in Canada to date. Tam says the increased number of deaths is due to the tragic fact that those who were infected weeks ago are now coming to the end stages of COVID-19, and are passing away, most often those in long-term care facilities. But Dr. Theresa Tam points out that the epidemic still appears to be slowing down and that the doubling time for infections is now at abo

Major crimes detectives have joined a missing person investigation in British Columbia's Interior looking into the disappearance of a man that RCMP say is suspicious.Mounties in Quesnel say 33-year-old Louis Korkowski was last seen or heard from on May 4.Efforts to locate the five-foot four-inch, 110-pound man have led to a possible link with two vehicles, a green 2003 Ford Explorer and a grey 2007 Toyota Matrix.Police say the Explorer has a dented passenger door and licence plate KF087R, while the Matrix has black paint and peeling damage on the roof, sticker residue on the passenger door an

The Canadian Pharmacists Association says ongoing drug shortages mean pharmacies are receiving short shipments from manufacturers, leaving them to try to adjust on the fly.The association first warned of the possibility of looming shortages in early March, when supply chains were disrupted by COVID-19 in China.While Canada has seen a spike in shortages since then, it hasn't developed into the emergency situation some health officials had feared.Barry Power with the association says manufacturers and wholesalers have told them the rationing measures pharmacies are taking are helping to reduce d

Ontario is extending a period of lower hydro rates as well as its emergency orders.The orders, which were set to expire today, include the closure of non-essential businesses, the prohibition of public gatherings of more than five people, and the closure of outdoor amenities such as playgrounds.They have now been extended for another two weeks, to May 19.Ontario's overall declaration of a state of emergency was extended last month to May 12.The government also says that it will extend lower electricity rates for residential consumers, farms and small businesses to May 31. An initial order fro

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the task force on coronavirus vaccine development, drug discovery, diagnosis and testing and took a detailed review of the current status of India's efforts in these areas. The review by the Prime Minister took note of the extraordinary coming together of academia, industry and government, combined with speedy but efficient regulatory process. According to an official release, the Prime Minister desired that such coordination and speed should be embedded into a standard operating procedure. It said over 30 Indian vaccines are in dif