WorldNov 16, 2020
2nd coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests
For the second time this month, there's promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate: Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the U.S. and around the world.
Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s still ongoing study.
A week ago, competitor Pfizer Inc. announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S.
Prime Minister Justin
BCNov 15, 2020
3 schools in Fraser Health region closing due to COVID-19
Surrey's Cambridge Elementary School has been ordered to close until Nov 30 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. At least seven people have tested positive and the transmission is reported to have occured on the school premises.
The school's music teacher is in the ICU.
Additionally, two other schools in the Fraser Health region are voluntarily closing for two weeks due to staffing issues because of COVID-19 "clusters". These schools are: Jarvis Elementary in Delta (76 Ave & 118 St) Al-Hidayah School, an independent school in New Westminster.
BCNov 14, 2020
B.C. health officials urging residents to celebrate Diwali virtually this year as B.C. records more than 600 COVID-19 cases for the first time
British Columbia health officials are urging residents to celebrate Diwali virtually this year, as the province reports a new daily record number of COVID-19 cases. B.C. recorded 617 new cases on Friday, for a total of 20,985. Officials also reported two new COVID-19-related fatalities, bringing the province's death toll to 290 over the course of the pandemic. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that the number of cases shows it is a critical time for B.C., and residents need to work together to slow the number of infections. They
CanadaNov 13, 2020
PM Trudeau says government will always be there to help, but federal resources are not "infinite"
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's told premiers that while his government will always be there to help, federal resources are not "infinite." Trudeau says he's heard from premiers about the challenges they're facing, but he says making tough choices now will reduce the chance of facing "impossible decisions" later. He says his government is committed to collaborating on the distribution of a potential vaccine, though the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. Trudeau says Canada reached a new daily high of 5,000 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. Trudeau asks Canadians to do their part and
CanadaNov 13, 2020
Trudeau once again assures the premiers and territorial leaders, Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone
The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau didn't try to tell the premiers what to do or cast blame as he held his 21st call of the pandemic with leaders. Later this morning at an Ottawa news conference, Trudeau is expected keep pushing the premiers to take tougher measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Aides say Trudeau once again assured the premiers and territorial leaders that Ottawa will provide them with assistance so they can act now to protect everyone as cases surge across the country. Saskatchewan's Scott Moe says it was, ``extremely unhelpful'' for Trudeau to frame the issue
BCNov 13, 2020
B.C.'s top doctor says contact tracing resources stretched to the limit; B.C. reports another record shattering number of COVID-19 cases
British Columbia's provincial health officer says contact tracers are ``stretched to the max'' and falling behind as they try to keep up with the province's growing COVID-19 infection rate. The latest modelling from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry came as B.C. surpassed 20,000 cases of COVID-19 with 1,130 new cases detected over two days and four more deaths. Dr. Henry says one infection can cause a cascade of trouble and used the example of a small wedding where 15 people became positive, 10 of those had additional household cases and one person spread it to a long-term care home
CanadaNov 12, 2020
Freeland faces questions from senators on bill to provide new rent relief, business aid; says detailed information will be released in the fall fiscal update
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says detailed information on the latest proposed COVID-19 aid programs for hard-hit businesses will be released in the fall fiscal update. Testifying before the Senate's national finance committee, which is reviewing Bill C-9, Freeland would not commit to monthly reports on pandemic spending. Bill C-9 would extend the federal wage subsidy until next summer, cancel a previously planned decline in its value and expand a popular business loan program. It would also revamp a widely criticized commercial rent relief program.
CanadaNov 12, 2020
Liberal government announces long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong
The Liberal government is creating a new measure for young people in Hong Kong: a work permit designed to speed up the process toward permanent residency in Canada. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is announcing the long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong, including some 300,000 Canadians, amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy. Mendicino says any Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the territory can return to Canada at any time and Ottawa will expedite any documents they need. Hong Kong was supposed to operate under a ``one-country, two-systems'' framework
CanadaNov 12, 2020
New restrictions take effect in Manitoba amid rising COVID-19 cases
The province with the largest per-capita caseload of active COVID-19 infections in the country is imposing new restrictions as of today. Manitoba is shutting down bars, museums and theatres, limiting restaurants to deliveries and curbside pickups and putting a cap on gatherings to five people. The province reported 5,676 active cases yesterday, and its deadliest day of the pandemic so far. Ontario recorded another record number of COVID-19 cases yesterday and Premier Doug Ford's government is set to unveil new modelling numbers later today. Health officials in BC will also unveil their latest