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Provinces are putting new measures in place to deal with an Omicron-fuelled rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across Canada.
Ontario joined a number of jurisdictions that already announced a postponed return to in-person learning, declaring the delay Monday along with a slew of new restrictions that puts the province back into a “modified Step 2” of pandemic recovery.
Premier Doug Ford said during a Monday news conference that virtual learning will replace in-person classes until Jan. 17. The news backtracked on an announcement made last week that in-person classed would resume this Wednesday.
Ontario said 1,232 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, including 248 patients in intensive care units, which ups the seven-day average to 210.
The province also reported 13,578 new COVID-19 cases, though experts have said the restricted eligibility for PCR testing Ontario announced last week means that number is likely much higher.
Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador will be moving to a modified Alert Level 4 as the province reported 519 new cases on Monday — setting a new single-day record for the seventh straight day.
Under the modified Alert Level 4, which comes into effect at midnight and will be reassessed Jan. 17, informal gatherings are limited to 10 people, which Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has referred to as a “tight 10.” She said the goal of reducing the number of contacts a person has is to limit the spread of the virus.
Burials, weddings, funerals and religious gatherings are limited to 50 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower. Businesses — including gyms, dance studios and arenas — will follow the same rules.
Retail stores, including in malls, can remain open at reduced capacity, while restaurants can remain open at 50 per cent capacity as long as distancing between tables can be maintained. Tables are limited to six people, and buffets are prohibited.
What’s happening across Canada
With testing capacity strained, experts say true case counts are likely far higher than reported. Hospitalization data at the regional level is also evolving, with several provinces saying they will begin to report more precise data that separates the number of people in hospital because of COVID-19 from those in hospital for another medical issue who also happen to test positive for COVID-19.
In British Columbia, Pacific Coastal Airlines — an operator that serves smaller communities throughout the province’s West Coast and Interior — has suspended operations for two days due to Omicron cases at its operational control centre at the South Terminal of the Vancouver International Airport.
In the Prairies, Alberta‘s isolation period for COVID-19 cases drops from 10 days to five today, while some care homes in Manitoba say they’re facing “the most challenging time yet” amid outbreaks and staff shortages. Over in Saskatchewan, schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday and Tuesday despite concerns from parents and educators over Omicron safety.
Medical workers are growing nervous as COVID-19-related hospitalizations rise, signalling a building Omicron wave. 3:12
In Quebec, Canada’s Minister for Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said on Twitter Monday that members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be deployed to the province to speed up vaccination efforts. Quebec’s booster program is set to expand Tuesday to those 18 and older.
In the Atlantic region, Nova Scotia reported 1,020 new infections on Monday.
In the North, Nunavut reported 16 new cases Monday.
Residents in the N.W.T. capital in need of a COVID-19 test will be able to attend a walk-in clinic on Monday morning.
What’s happening around the world
As of Monday afternoon, roughly 290.6 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus tracker. The reported global death toll stood at more than 5.4 million.
In Europe, the Italian government has set prices for the more protective Ffp2 masks at .75 euro cents ($1.08 Cdn) apiece now that they are required to access public transport, museums, cinemas and many other indoor activities.
In Asia, South Korea says it has confirmed its first death related to the new Omicron variant.
In the Americas, the U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the Omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing booster Pfizer-BioNTech shots for children as young as 12.
In Africa, Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi is in mandatory self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 in routine testing.
