20.01°C Vancouver

Oct 23, 2020 11:26 PM -

World Health Organization warns with rising cases and deaths related to COVID-19

Share On
world-health-organization-warns-with-rising-cases-and-deaths-related-to-covid-19
A nurse uses a swab to perform a test on a patient at a drive-in COVID-19 clinic in Montreal, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

The head of the World Health Organization warns that countries in the Northern hemisphere are at a ``critical juncture'' with rising cases and deaths.

``The next few months are going to be very tough and some countries are on a dangerous track,'' said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press briefing on Friday.

``Many countries are seeing an exponential increase in cases,'' and he called for immediate action.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead on coronavirus, says the U.N. health agency had recorded about 445,000 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours; nearly half of those were from Europe.

She says in many cities across Europe, ``the capacity for ICU is going to be reached in the coming weeks.''

Latest news

BCJul 17, 2026

RCMP warns B.C. residents about fake letters demanding money in cyber scam

The West Shore RCMP is warning British Columbia residents about fraudulent letters falsely claiming to be from the RCMP's National Cybercrime Coordination Centre in an attempt to extort money from the public. According to the RCMP, the letters falsely accuse recipients of accessing child sexual exploitation material and demand payment within 24 hours to avoid having their names made public and facing court proceedings. Police said the allegations are fabricated and are intended to intimidate victims into sending money. West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Nancy Saggar said Canadian pol
modi-criticizes-punjab-governments-law-and-order-record-during-jalandhar-rally
IndiaJul 17, 2026

Modi criticizes Punjab government's law and order record during Jalandhar rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Punjab government's handling of law and order during a public rally in Jalandhar on Friday, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration of failing to ensure public safety and protect the state's future. Addressing the gathering, Modi paid tribute to Punjab, describing it as the land of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He alleged that the state government was attempting to hide the ground reality through extensive advertising, while claiming that the law and order situation had deteriorated across Punjab. The prime minister said businesses were finding it
AlbertaJul 17, 2026

Nearly 32 million illegal cigarettes seized in Edmonton, Alberta regulator says

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) says investigators seized nearly 32 million contraband cigarettes during searches at a commercial property in northwest Edmonton last month, marking the largest tobacco seizure in the regulator's history. According to an AGLC statement, the cigarettes have an estimated retail value of more than $29 million. The regulator said the seizure also prevented an estimated $9 million in avoided provincial tobacco taxes. AGLC said the investigation involved searches at a commercial property in northwest Edmonton. No additional details about arrests or charges
naheed-nenshi-to-run-in-calgary-riding-in-2027-alberta-election
AlbertaJul 17, 2026

Naheed Nenshi to run in Calgary riding in 2027 Alberta election

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he will seek election in a Calgary constituency in the 2027 provincial election, ending his plan to seek re-election in Edmonton-Strathcona. In a letter released Thursday to constituents in Edmonton-Strathcona, Nenshi said he remains grateful to represent the riding but wants to return to the city where he grew up and spent much of his professional and political career, including 11 years as Calgary's mayor. He also said the Alberta NDP must win more seats in Calgary if it hopes to form government. Nenshi said he has not yet selected a Calgary riding becau
AlbertaJul 16, 2026

Record rainfall drenches Edmonton as June sets all-time precipitation mark

Environment and Climate Change Canada says Edmonton has experienced an unusually wet start to the summer, with June setting a new monthly rainfall record and above-average precipitation continuing into July. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, 264 millimetres of rain fell in Edmonton during June, surpassing the previous record of 216 millimetres that was set in 1914. The agency says total rainfall for June and July has now reached approximately 360 millimetres. The wet weather marks a sharp contrast to Alberta's typical summer conditions, which are often dominated by wildfire s

Related News