WorldJan 15, 2021
One year since COVID-19 first detected in China, global death toll has topped two-million
A year after COVID-19 was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the global death toll has topped two-million. Johns Hopkins University says the count ticked over today. The US has the highest death toll at 390 thousand. Many health experts are predicting another year of loss and hardship in places like Iran, India, Mexico and Brazil. These four countries accounting for about a quarter of the world's deaths. Also Friday, the WHO's Emergencies Committee issued new recommendations that countries should not require proof of vaccination by incoming travellers amid the pandemic, saying decis
CanadaJan 15, 2021
Canada is on track to hit 10,000 new daily infections of COVID-19 by the end of month: Dr. Theresa Tam
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada is on track to hit 10,000 new daily infections of COVID-19 by the end of the month. Prime Minister Trudeau says he knows that's not what Canadians want to hear. New modelling shows the total number of cases could reach 796,630 by January 24th. By the same date another 2,000 people could die. And Tam says that means Canada's already-stretched health care system could face its breaking point. The new modelling was released this morning as Procurement Minister Anita Anand revealed global supply issues will temporarily delay vaccine shipment
CanadaJan 15, 2021
The goal to have enough vaccines for every Canadian who wants one by September, still on: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is working day in and day out to get vaccines delivered as quickly as possible. But he says with an undertaking this historic, it's only to be expected that there will be a few bumps along the way. Pfizer-BioNTech is temporarily reducing deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to Canada because of production issues in Europe.Trudeau says it is an issue out of our hands. Trudeau says this does not impact the goal to have enough vaccines for every Canadian who wants one by September.
CanadaJan 15, 2021
Pfizer cutting back vaccine deliveries to Canada due to production issues
Procurement Minister Anita Anand says production issues in Europe will temporarily reduce Pfizer-BioNTech's ability to deliver vaccines to Canada. Anand says the U.S drug-maker is temporarily reducing deliveriesbecause of issues with its European production lines.She adds that while the company says it will still be able to deliver four million doses by the end of March, that is no longer guaranteed.Anand says it's unfortunate, but such delays and issues are to beexpected when global supply chains are stretched well beyond their limits.Canada has received about 380,000 doses of the vaccine so
BCJan 15, 2021
B.C. reports first case of South African COVID-19 strain, four now from the U.K.
British Columbia's provincial health officer expressed concern as she reported the first South African strain of COVID-19 uncovered in the province. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the person who contracted the South African variant had not travelled or had contact with anyone who did. She says officials are investigating where this person might have picked up the virus. Another person has also tested positive for the British variant of the virus, bringing that total to four cases, all connected to travel. Dr. Henry says there doesn't appear to have been any community spread of those infections. Offici
CanadaJan 15, 2021
PM Trudeau welcomes Admiral McDonald as Chief of the Defence Staff
Canada has a new top military commander.
Admiral Art McDonald was formally installed at a scaled-down COVID-19 ceremony in Ottawa.
In a virtual appearance at the change of command ceremony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed McDonald as Chief of the Defence staff, saying he is taking on the role at a very difficult time.
Admiral McDonald succeeds General Jonathan Vance, who kicked off the ceremony by using his final speech in uniform to bid an emotional farewell to the troops.
In a virtual appearance at the change of command ceremony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed McDonald as
BCJan 15, 2021
Operators of the Sea To Sky Gondola say the tourist attraction is due to reopen in late spring or early summer
Operators of the Sea To Sky Gondola near Squamish say the tourist attraction is due to reopen in late spring or early summer. The update posted on the company's website says the complicated cleanup process has been completed after vandals cut the gondola cable late last year. The statement says orders have been placed for a new cable and 25 new cabins and the cable is already on its way to Squamish while discussions are underway with the cabin supplier on a timeline for arrival of that equipment. No arrests have been made but the company says an RCMP investigation is continuing after the cabl
BCJan 15, 2021
Vancouver Coastal Health says schools have low COVID-19 transmission rates
A health authority says data showing schools in the Vancouver area are a low risk for the transmission of COVID-19 supports keeping classes open. Since schools reopened in September, Vancouver Coastal Health says it hasn't recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases among children aged five to 17. It says school-aged children accounted for six per cent of its COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, despite representing 10 per cent of the population. Medical health officer Dr. Alex Choi says the authority wants educators, school staff, parents and students to feel reassured that
BCJan 14, 2021
B.C. seeking legal advice on limiting interprovincial travel: Premier John Horgan
British Columbia's premier says his government is seeking legal advice on whether it can limit non-essential travel from people out of province during the pandemic. Premier John Horgan says there is concern about people coming from other provinces or territories and spreading COVID-19. Horgan says he and other premiers across the country have made the case for Canadians to stay home during the pandemic, but people continue to travel. He says the issue has been discussed for months and it's time to determine if the government can or can't act. The issue will be discussed during the NDP governm