‘A dumb mistake,’ Ontario finance minister Rod Phillips says upon return from vacation

RELATED: COVID-19 may make common pregnancy complications worse, study suggestsThe study bolsters evidence from small case reports and it confirms that placenta damage rather than an infection of the fetus is the likely cause of many COVID-19-related stillbirths, said Dr. Jeffery Goldstein, a pathologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.He was not involved in the study, which was published Thursday in Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.RELATED: COVID-19 vaccines could temporarily impact length of menstrual cycles, study saysDr.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astra Space, Inc. launched its first rocket from Florida on Thursday marking a historic milestone for the Alameda, California-based company.

HAZLETON, Pa. - DNA and a 20-year-old genealogy expert helped state police identify the man who abducted, raped and murdered a young girl in a case that rattled a Pennsylvania coal town nearly six decades ago, officials announced Thursday.State police exhumed the long-dead assailant's body last month and said his DNA precisely matched DNA left on the jacket of the victim, 9-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella, who was snatched on the morning of March 18, 1964, as she walked to school in Hazleton, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Philadelphia.Her body was found that afternoon in a nearby waste coal pit. Authorities say she was raped and strangled.Police identified her killer as James Paul Forte, a bartender with a record of violent sexual assault, who died of natural causes in 1980 at age 38.

ATLANTA - While several studies already show that face masks and respirators effectively filter virus-sized particles and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission, yet, another study is backing this evidence up. According to a study, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week, consistent use of a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower odds of a positive COVID-19 test. The study enrolled randomly selected California residents who had received a test result for COVID-19 between Feb. 18, 2021 and Dec.

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has opened up on his fears for the Queen after Prince Charles tested positive for Covid-19 just two days after seeing her. Piers said he feels "deep unease" about the news.It is the second time Charles has contracted the virus, testing positive on Thursday (February 10) morning.

Patty Hajdu says the number of COVID-19 infections in First Nations communities has begun to decline, bringing hope that the worst of the Omicron wave has passed.Hajdu says she understands why Indigenous leaders are sounding an alarm that progress could be lost in regions where provincial governments are rapidly moving to lift public health orders.“Indigenous leaders obviously are concerned,” Hajdu said during a news conference Thursday. High anxiety levels expected in Canadians wary of COVID restrictions lifting - experts Daily active case counts in Indigenous communities have declined 13.2 per cent from last week.

A study in Qatar estimates that previous COVID-19 infection imparts 56% protection against future symptomatic infection caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, down from about 90% for other SARS-CoV-2 strains.The study, published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medici

COVID-19 update since Sunday, the Saskatchewan government reported 5,401 provincial PCR confirmed cases and 22 new deaths between Jan. 30 and Feb.

Super Bowl this weekend. The DHS said in a bulletin sent to local and state law enforcement agencies that it has received reports that truckers are planning to "potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities" in a protest against vaccine mandates and other issues. DHS said the convoy could begin in Southern California as early as this weekend, possibly disrupting traffic around the Super Bowl, and reach Washington in March in time for the State of the Union, according to a copy of Tuesday’s bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. It said that the protest could be disruptive and tie up traffic but that there have been no calls for violence. Meanwhile, the truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, General Motors and other car companies to shut down plants or otherwise reduce production on both sides of the U.S.

Middlesex-London Health Unit said Thursday that anyone who visits any of its vaccine clinics will be able to choose between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada for children aged five to 11 years old. COVID-19 vaccine and booster tracker: How many Canadians are vaccinated? The MLHU’s decision impacts all of the health unit’s mass vaccination clinics, as well as the pop-up vaccination clinics hosted by the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and the Community Hub COVID-19 vaccination clinics in schools.Since late December, the MLHU had been prioritizing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people age 29 and under and providing the Moderna vaccine to clients 30 and over, citing limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine.The health unit is hoping the ability to choose will help increase vaccine availability and uptake, noting that only 51.9 per cent of eligible residents aged 18 and older had received a third dose as of Jan.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in a homicide from January. According to police, the department is working to identify the people responsible for the death of an 18-year-old woman on Jan. 13, 2022.

CULPEPER, Va. - President Joe Biden on Thursday touted how his "Build Back Better" policies would limit the cost of prescription drugs and make life more affordable for U.S. families during an appearance in Virginia.Biden’s visit to the town of Culpeper, Virginia, came on the heels of the release of the U.S.

Boris Johnson ending Covid isolation rules is a "distraction" from the PM's lockdown party scandal, said Professor Devi Sridhar who is a member of the Scottish Government Covid-19 Advisory Group.

2022 Academy Awards are just over a month away and while the night is sure to be unforgettable with surprises and snubs, one thing will not be in the cards: covid-19 vaccinations.Hollywood’s biggest night won’t require COVID-19 vaccinations proof for anyone attending the event.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is only asking for attendees to show a negative PCR test or a negative rapid antigen test on the day of the ceremony. Nominees, presenters and stars will gather on March 27 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater to celebrate the best and brightest in film.This year’s SAG Awards and Critics Choice Awards, on the other hand, will both require vaccinations.A rep for the SAG Awards (to be held on Feb.

The Queen is being monitored despite not showing any COVID-19 symptoms after her son Prince Charles contracted the virus for a second time Thursday.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported seven deaths and 115 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, compared with three deaths and 189 cases last Thursday.The deaths involved three men and four women ranging in age from their 60s to 90s. Three were associated with long-term care.LHSC, meanwhile, is caring for 91 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 91 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Delaware State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that took place on Wednesday evening. According to police, the incident happened near Frenchtown Road in the area of Quigley Boulevard around 5:58 p.m. A 21-year-old woman, who has not yet been identified, was walking on the right shoulder of eastbound Rt. 273.

DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Briarcliffe Fire Company has been shut down for at least the next 30 days as Delaware County officials investigate the alleged use of racial slurs on a recent virtual meeting. The fire company, located in Darby Township will not be receiving fire calls during the suspension. The suspension comes after a Jan. 27 virtual meeting between township fire companies and commissioners about a potential consolidation. According to a letter from the Goodwill Fire Company obtained by FOX 29, following the end of the meeting, a group of people remained on the call. The letter says there was then a group of people that could be heard discussing the meeting using foul language, and identifies those involved in the conversation as members of the Briarcliffe Fire Company. The conversation, which lasted an hour and 45 minutes, allegedly included racial slurs when discussing members of other fire companies and township residents.One of the Briarcliffe Fire Company members was also accused of making a joke about, Fanta Bility, a young girl who was killed in a shooting in Sharon Hill last fall.Derogatory and otherwise offensive comments were also allegedly made about other township officials.Township officials say the incident is under investigation, and that a criminal referral is expected to be made to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. MORE HEADLINES:In their letter, the Goodwill Fire Company Board of directors expressed their concern for the fire companies and safety of the community. "This is not appropriate and does not belong in the township," the letter read. Darby Township officials are scheduled to speak on the issue at 2 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly agreed to a trade that would send Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that backup center Andre Drummond will also be heading to Brooklyn as part of the deal, and the 76ers will receive Paul Millsap as part of the deal. Wojnarowski reports that the picks Philadelphia is sending to Brooklyn include an unprotected 2022 first-round pick and a protected 2027 first-round pick.Harden and Simmons have dominated trade deadline headlines in recent weeks as the disgruntled Simmons had yet to suit up for the 76ers this season. Meanwhile the Nets were caught up in the rumor mill as they faced a risk of potentially losing Harden to free agency after the season and losing him for nothing. With Thursday's trade, the Sixers pick up a former league MVP in Harden to pair with MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

Stormont's Minister for Health has said he needs to talk to other ministers before decisions can be taken about further relaxation of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 restrictions.

novel coronavirus cases were reported on Friday, marking another single-day record.At a press conference Friday, Ford said the consequences will be “more dire” if public health measures are ignored and that the provincewide shutdown might not end on Jan. 23.

Premier Doug Ford said that stricter measures will come next week as COVID-19 cases climb at an alarming rate in Ontario following days of record breaking daily totals. Travis Dhanraj has more.

Doug Ford said the province is “running out” of COVID-19 vaccines and that it’ll be out of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses by the end of next week.At a press conference Friday morning, Ford said he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday night about the need for a more reliable vaccine supply. ‘Urgently need vaccine’ says Toronto’s University Health Network president on COVID-19 doses Ford said Toronto’s University Health Network will run out of its vaccine supply on Friday.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Friday that the province will be out of doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the end of next week, and that he is hopeful the federal government will get more vaccines. “All the progress we’ve made, getting our daily vaccine numbers up, will be lost,” Ford said.

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr.

coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Thursday:Global News has learned that Ontario students will not be returning to the classroom on Monday, sources say.Premier Doug Ford said the announcement will be made by the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams who has a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m.

Students return to virtual school as part of Ontario coronavirus lockdown measures “I will never, ever, ever, sacrifice our kids going back to school if the health table and the doctors are telling me not to do it,” Ford said at an unrelated event Thursday morning.“Folks, there is proof in the pudding, before the Christmas holidays we saw positivity rates of 3 per cent. Now, the information I received as of late yesterday afternoon, that has jumped 116 per cent,” Ford said.The premier continued, “As soon as we went through Christmas and we got together, we saw young children when they were going to get tested it is now at 20 per cent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Thursday he would “never, ever, ever, sacrifice our kids going back to school if the health table and the doctors are telling me not to do it.” Ford added that one in every five children under the age of 13 is testing positive for COVID-19, and that there will be a decision made Thursday afternoon regarding schools reopening and virtual learning for students.

Doug Ford says he is going to consult with the province’s medical experts on whether students should return to schools next week.He says the government will be making an announcement on the issue in the coming days.All students are currently learning online as part of a provincial lockdown but those in northern Ontario and elementary students in southern Ontario are set to return to in-person classes next week.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his previous claims Wednesday that he had not known ahead of time about former finance minister Rod Phillips’ decision to travel to St.

Thornhill MPP Gila Martow is facing criticism for spending part of the Christmas holiday at her family cottage about 130 kilometres away near Peterborough amid the Ontario COVID-19 crisis.Last week, Ajax MPP Rod Phillips resigned his position as Ontario finance minister, the second most powerful job in the cabinet. Phillips had flown to St.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is promising to ramp-up COVID-19 vaccinations for the most vulnerable. Travis Dhanraj has more.

An MPP who defied Doug Ford’s plea not to travel unless necessary spent Christmas at her family cottage. As Seán O’Shea reports, her son held a party at the cottage on New Year’s eve.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Tuesday addressed criticism Tuesday about the province’s vaccine rollout, saying they had vaccinated more people than any other province in Canada. He said he recognized they hit “a couple bumps in the road” but they were ramping up vaccinations and would ensure every long-term care patient and workers in long-term care is vaccinated by Jan.

coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Monday.Anita Quidangen was given her second shot today at Toronto’s University Health Network.Quidangen says she hopes others will follow in her footsteps as the province continues its rollout of two COVID-19 vaccines.Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who was present as Quidangen and four others were set to receive their second dose, acknowledged there have been “a few bumps in the road” in the province’s immunization campaign.But he says the program is ramping up and there should be a “significant difference” in the next few weeks.

COVID-19 vaccine.Anita Quidangen was given her second shot today at Toronto’s University Health Network.Quidangen says she hopes others will follow in her footsteps as the province continues its rollout of two COVID-19 vaccines. Ontario reports nearly 3,300 new coronavirus cases, 29 deaths Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who was present as Quidangen and four others were set to receive their second dose, acknowledged there have been “a few bumps in the road” in the province’s immunization campaign.[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]But he says the program is ramping up and there should be a “significant difference” in the next few weeks.As of 8 p.m.

Rod Phillips resigned as Ontario’s finance minister on Thursday after facing criticism over a vacation to the Caribbean amid the coronavirus pandemic. Travis Dhanraj has more.

coronavirus pandemic lockdown measures in the province.Phillips landed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport Thursday morning after flying from Cancun, Mexico. He had been vacationing on the Caribbean island of St.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted on Wednesday to Finance Minister Rod Phillips being out of the country since mid-December.

COVID-19 pandemic tightened its grip on the province.In a statement released Wednesday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Rod Phillips ignored the province’s own public health guidelines by travelling to St. Barts this month, even as the government urged residents to stay home.

“Completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated” were strong words from Ontario Premier Doug Ford after news broke that the province’s finance minister left the country for a tropical vacation in the Caribbean two weeks ago, while the rest of the province was told to stay home this holiday season.

Toronto Mayor John Tory and chief medical officer of health Dr.

Rod Phillips, Ontario’s finance minister, has traveled outside of Canada for a “personal trip” despite pleas from the Ford government to stay home over the holidays. Erica Vella reports.

While she would not specifically comment on Ontario’s Finance Minister Rod Phillips taking a “personal trip” out of the country with his wife, deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Barbara Yaffe on Tuesday stressed she would prefer people “don’t take a vacation” at this time unless travel is essential.

coronavirus cases in Ontario and across the world. Ontario enters provincewide lockdown in effort to curb rising coronavirus case counts In a statement released Tuesday, Phillips noted that he and his wife left Dec.

Doug Ford wants people to hold on just a little longer.Ontario’s populist premier speaks softly into the camera at a recent news conference, his tone subdued, almost pleading.He says he knows people have “COVID fatigue,” but there is a vaccine. The economy will recover.