High-risk exposure to COVID-19 identified at Amherstview Public School

Remote clinical trials with inclusive social media recruitment may help improve racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity among clinical trial participants, according to a US study published early this week in JAMA Network Open.

Guelph General Hospital says they are hopeful and cautiously optimistic as COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift in the province.But Melissa Skinner said in an interview this week that capacity issues the hospital had pre-pandemic have not gone away.“Over the past several years, based on the size of our hospital and the size of our community, each day we have struggled with having enough beds,” she said. “COVID has just exacerbated that and really shown how much pressure there really is on a system and on our hospital.” Doctors’ group proposes Ontario fund new surgical centres to catch up on procedures Even before the pandemic, one official described the situation at Guelph General in October 2019 as “bursting at the seams.”For example, the hospital’s emergency room was seeing 15,000 more annual visits than it was originally designed to handle.Construction to expand the department by 6,400 square feet is currently underway to address overcrowding.As for the current COVID-19 situation, Skinner said the hospital is still seeing high volumes in the emergency department but added that it is manageable and an improvement from just a few weeks ago while Omicron COVID-19 cases were peaking in the community.“The impact of COVID — we are seeing a decline.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported no new deaths on Wednesday and 85 COVID-19 cases.This marks just the fourth day this month that no new virus-related deaths were reported by the MLHU, with the other days being Feb. 7, 9 and 14.

A new study comparing excess years of life lost (YLL) during the first year of COVID-19 in parts of England and Wales shows that economically deprived areas suffered three times as many deaths as affluent regions, and young adults (15 to 44 years old) were 11 times more likely to die from the virus in poorer parts of the United Kingdom. The study is published in PLOS Medicine.Though excess deaths have been used as a metric during the pandemi

COVID-19 testing clinic on Holiday Inn Drive was forced to close on Wednesday afternoon after its phones and internet access went down.A spokesperson for the hospitals says all of the tests and assessments for the afternoon have been cancelled.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR on Wednesday named FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch the honorary starter of the season-opening Daytona 500.Murdoch, the executive chair and chief executive officer of FOX Corp., will wave the green flag Sunday to start "The Great American Race." Murdoch served as Executive Chairman of 21st Century FOX prior to the closing of the merger of 21st Century FOX and The Walt Disney Company in March 2019. RELATED: 64th annual Daytona 500 is sold out(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) The 64th running will be aired live on FOX, which is in contract negotiations with NASCAR on the current television deal that expires at the end of the 2024 season.RELATED: Country music star Trace Adkins to sing national anthem at Daytona 500The Daytona 500 will have a heavy Fox presence: Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, a Fox Sports analyst, will give the "Drivers, Start Your Engines" command as grand marshal for the Great American Race at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: A boxed AirTag on display at the Apple Store George Street on April 30, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Apple's latest accessory, the AirTag is a small device that helps people keep track of belongings, using Apple's Find My PHILADELPHIA - Attorney General Josh Shapiro is issuing a consumer alert Wednesday in regards to Apple AirTags. The consumer alert is an effort to share safety recommendations with Pennsylvanians that  "will protect them from the malicious misuse of Apple AirTags." Apple AirTags have recently been used to track people in many situations, which has raised an alarm for authorities. According to the AG Shapiro, some individuals have reported finding unknown AirTags attached to their cars, in their purses, coat pockets, and other personal property while others have reported receiving alerts on their phones that their location information is being shared.

Ontario fund a new model for outpatient health-care centres to help tackle a growing backlog of surgeries and other procedures.A new report from the Ontario Medical Association outlines a proposal to create Integrated Ambulatory Centres across the province, which would work with local hospitals to perform medical services insured by the province.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR on Wednesday named FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch the honorary starter of the season-opening Daytona 500.Murdoch, the executive chair and chief executive officer of FOX Corp., will wave the green flag Sunday to start "The Great American Race." Murdoch served as Executive Chairman of 21st Century FOX prior to the closing of the merger of 21st Century FOX and The Walt Disney Company in March 2019. RELATED: 64th annual Daytona 500 is sold out(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) The 64th running will be aired live on FOX, which is in contract negotiations with NASCAR on the current television deal that expires at the end of the 2024 season.RELATED: Country music star Trace Adkins to sing national anthem at Daytona 500The Daytona 500 will have a heavy Fox presence: Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, a Fox Sports analyst, will give the "Drivers, Start Your Engines" command as grand marshal for the Great American Race at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb.

RELATED: Remote schooling means snow days could become optional in NJIn Washington Township, New Jersey, Superintendent Jeffrey Mohre said remote learning or not, he’ll still call snow days."Easiest decision I’ve had to make all year," Mohre said in 2020.Young lions at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made the most of recent snowy weather on Jan. 19, running around and playing in the powder.

City of Toronto workers will start heading back to the office next week.In a statement issued Wednesday, City officials said that workers will begin returning to the office on Tuesday under a “hybrid model.”Office spaces will be opened to allow for maximum capacity based on health guidelines, the statement said. City of Toronto delays return to office after province issues new public health advice Office workers make up about 20 per cent of the City of Toronto’s total workforce.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia health officials on Wednesday announced new COVID-19 response levels that will now tie the city’s mask and vaccine mandates to specific metrics. Under the new multi-tiered systems, city and health officials say they will stop enforcing certain mandates as COVID-19 metrics improve. Should the numbers worsen, officials say they will use the same system to determine when those mandates should be enforced again. Based on current metrics, officials announced on Wednesday that Philadelphia had reached a Masks Precautions Only level - meaning that the requirement to show proof of vaccination at indoor dining establishments that serve food for onsite consumption was dropped, effective immediately. Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health will focus on four key metrics to guide decisions on mandates and restrictions. The metrics include average new cases per day, number of hospitalizations, percent of tests reported as positive, and the rate of change of new cases. City officials say tying their response to these metrics will help the public understand why the city is enforcing specific mandates, as well as what needs to happen in order the enforcement to stop. Philadelphia’s COVID-19 website will be updated to included detailed breakdowns of the four key metrics.On Wednesday, Philadelphia health Commissioner Dr.

COVID-19 patients in the hospital are dropping, he still figures it could be months before the facility will be able to return to pre-pandemic surgical volumes.Dr. Craig Ainsworth, director of the cardiac care unit at Hamilton General Hospital, told 900 CHML’s Hamilton Today that Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is still only operating at 50 to 60 per cent of surgical activity levels which will delay some non-urgent and non-emergent services.“It would be silly for me to say we’ll be back at 100 per cent by tomorrow or next week, but we’re trying very hard to get to get there as fast as we can, but it’s likely going to be months,” said Ainsworth.

Queen Elizabeth was photographed for the first time since the public was concerned for her safety.

Other symptoms to look out for

Covid-19 outbreak in the US are pointing sharply downward.

Ottawa blockade that has kept the capital at a standstill for nearly three full weeks are calling the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act a scare tactic.Trucks, RVs and other vehicles with Canadian flags or banners with the word “freedom” in giant letters along their front grilles remain on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill, with drivers saying they will stay put until all COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions are lifted.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the act on Monday for the first time in Canadian history, with details of the regulations contained in cabinet orders published Tuesday night.Under the act, bringing children to the antigovernment blockades, participating in the protests directly, or bringing aid such as food or fuel to those involved could result in a fine of up to $5,000 or five years in prison Bringing children, food or fuel to convoy blockades prohibited under Emergencies Act Blockades are not allowed on Parliament Hill and surrounding streets, official residences, war monuments, airports, harbours, border crossings, piers, lighthouses, canals, interprovincial and international bridges, hospitals and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, trade corridors and infrastructure needed for the supply of utilities including power generation and transmission.The cabinet orders are now in effect but must all be confirmed by motions to be put to both the House of Commons and the Senate for a vote.The government could take until next week to table the motion invoking the act itself, but has only until Thursday to do so for the motions on the specific powers being enacted, which will remain in place for 30 days unless the government revokes them sooner.

Freedom Convoy” blockade of downtown Ottawa are being warned by police to “leave the area now” as questions heat up about when police will act to remove the demonstrators who have paralyzed the nation’s capital for 20 days.“You must leave the area now. Anyone blocking streets, or assisting others in the blocking streets, are committing a criminal offence and you may be arrested.

As the Emergencies Act is invoked to stop the convoy protests in Ottawa, the federal government is aiming to cut off the movement’s financial resources.

PHILADELPHIA - The Wells Fargo Center says fans will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination when attending events at the arena.The announcement comes as Philadelphia announced on Wednesday that it was immediately ending the vaccine requirement for establishments that serve food for onsite consumption. The arena fell under the city’s criteria for establishments that were required to ask for proof of vaccination from customers and staff.The vaccine requirement had gone into place on Jan. 3.

Renfrewshire children between the ages of five and 11 are to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health has been notified of a further 5,268 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19.

SAN FRANCISCO - Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to pay $90 million to settle a decade-old, class-action lawsuit over the social media giant’s use of "cookies" in 2010 and 2011 that tracked people online — even after they logged off of Facebook.The company, which posted profits of $39.37 billion in 2021, will pay the $90 million settlement to users who previously submitted verified claims, after lawyer fees are deducted. Meta has also agreed to delete all the data it "wrongfully collected" during that period. The proposed settlement was filed late Monday in the U.S.

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Authorities in Bucks County say they are looking to identify and locate a person of interest in a homicide that occurred on Tuesday. Bristol Township police responded to the 700 block of Winder Drive at 7:15 p.m. and found a deceased 78-year-old man inside of a home. After a preliminary investigation, authorities say they identified Brian Joseph Carey, 41, as a person of interest. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office identified Carey as the victim’s stepson.Carey is believed to be driving a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer that belonged to the victim.

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COVID-19 as the province began phasing out its vaccine passport system Wednesday.The daily tally showed pandemic-related hospitalizations stood at 1,995, a drop of 57 compared with the previous day. This includes 129 patients in intensive care units, a decrease of three.Officials say 130 people were admitted to hospitals in the past 24-hour period, while 187 were discharged.The province reported 2,328 new novel coronavirus cases, but the number isn’t representative of the situation since only high-risk groups can access government-run screening clinics.On that note, 23,053 tests were administered Monday.

Manitoba COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions down while no new deaths reported Global News will stream the press conference on this page.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The bicycle ride was hard enough already.And then add in getting charged by a bull.At least two videos have surfaced showing a bull in Bakersfield, Calif., charging a bicyclist, participating in the Rock Cobbler, an 80-mile course described as a "stupidly hard (bike) ride bordering on a race," according to the website.Richard Pepper, who shot one of the videos on Feb. 12, captured the moment a bull charged at a bicyclist, who didn't slow down or swerve on his path, but kept moving in the direction of the large animal, which butted its head twice at the rider, who fell off his bike. SEE ALSO: Video captures flock of birds suddenly falling from the sky in MexicoPepper told Storyful when he got to this part of the trail, there were already about 15 riders stopped because of the bull."More racers were coming in from behind.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia has dropped its vaccine mandate in indoor dining establishments and unveiled a new, multi-tiered system they say will guide decisions on easing - or implementing - restrictions in the future. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole announced the news during Wednesday, amid a recent drop in new cases and positivity rates in the city.Bettigole says the new system, made up of four tiers, will allow officials to use metrics to drive their decisions on COVID-19 restrictions.

Maharashtra in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 78,50,494, said the state health department on Wednesday. 

#COVID19 restrictions in the state. pic.twitter.com/7HgNPxxQds

Coachella has loosened the reigns on COVID-19 safety even more. In a shocking return to pre-pandemic form, Goldenvoice, the company that produces Coachella, Day N Vegas, Camp Flog Gnaw, and formerly Panorama NYC, has announced that there will now be no protocols in place for the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

A covert operation conducted by an Edmonton security firm determined some protesters occupying the Coutts border had become so emboldened by the blockade’s success they discussed blocking cargo terminals at airports across the country in an ongoing attempt to force a change of government in Ottawa.

Paislee Shultis, a young girl kidnapped two years ago at the age of four, has been found alive in her home state of New York.

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COVID on Wednesday, with 364 in intensive care units as overall figures continue to trend downwards.This is down by 147 hospitalizations but a decrease of 20 in ICUs since the previous day. Last Wednesday, there were 2,059 hospitalizations with 449 in ICU.The province recently began distinguishing between those who were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus.Of the 1,403 people in hospital with COVID-19, 54 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 46 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 364 people in ICUs with the virus, 82 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 18 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia officials have announced that the city would be ending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor dining under a new, tiered system of safety standards and protective measures.  City leaders and health officials announced the new standards during their weekly briefing on Wednesday as case counts have dropped significantly over the past several weeks.

OTTAWA -- Ottawa Public Health says 62 more people in Ottawa have tested positive for COVID-19, another jump compared to previous days.

While millions face a solitary Christmas in Tier 4, many folk will be able to meet up for Christmas Day.

OTTAWA -- Ottawa Public Health says 48 more people in Ottawa have tested positive for COVID-19 and one more person has died.

Get the stories that interest you straight to your inbox every day with our personalised newsletterCouncillors voted to close the schools in North Ayrshire early after the area recorded the highest weekly Covid  infection rate in Scotland.But is claimed the Scottish Government refused to allow the region’s schools to switch to online learning.North Ayrshire’s virus case rate hit 205 per 100,000 between December 12 and 18 according to Public Health Scotland figures.  It is the only council region surpassing the 200 case rate mark currently.Irvine South Councillor Robert Foster put forward a motion asking for Holyrood to give the council the power to introduce remote learning in the lead up to Christmas.The schools are due to close on

coronavirus, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 48.The new cases are three travel-related cases in the Fredericton region and one close contact of a previous case in the Edmundston region. The Edmundston region remains in the orange phase of COVID-19 recovery.The province has reported 578 cases to date and 521 have recovered.

OTTAWA -- Ottawa Public Health says 39 more people in Ottawa have tested positive for COVID-19, continuing a trend of relatively stable daily case counts.

OTTAWA -- Ottawa Public Health says there are currently no patients in Ottawa ICUs with COVID-19 complications.

coronavirus Saturday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 49.The new cases include one individual in the Moncton region, two in the Saint John region, one in Bathurst and one in Edmundston. The province says these cases are under investigation.To date, New Brunswick has confirmed 578 positive cases of COVID-19 and 520 individuals have recovered.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]“The next phase involves accommodating critical care patients in reassigned clinical areas, such as post-operative recovery rooms, and utilizing existing critical care space in new ways,” the health authority said. “This is the case with the Stollery’s pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), which will be used to treat critically ill adults.”According to AHS, the changes at the children’s hospital mean patients in the PCICU “may no longer have private rooms,” meaning that only a single “essential visitor” will be able to be with a child at any one time.

Saskatoon police say a key participant in a Dec.5 anti-mask protest in the city has been issued a ticket for allegedly violating a COVID-19 public health order.Police said the $2,800 ticket was issued after consultation with Crown and public health officials. Sask.

Charlie Clark is asking people not to attend an anti-mask rally this weekend in the city.A “Freedom Rally” is planned for 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Vimy Memorial in Kiwanis Park.