N.B. to provide COVID-19 update as province reports more cases in January than all of 2020

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.

New Brunswick says there are positive signs regarding the COVID-19 outbreak that has gripped the province since the beginning of the year. Officials say the Moncton and Edmundston regions are moving in the right direction, so public health may soon be able to adjust the alert levels.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout with a clinic at the Miramichi Regional Hospital.In the days and weeks since, several other clinics have been held throughout the province – but the process has remained relatively exclusive.So far the immunization rollout has been working through clusters the province has identified as “priority groups,” at localized clinics, with shots administered by public health nurses.As more doses become available in New Brunswick and immunization starts to become more mainstream, the rollout will expand to see doses doled out by other health-care workers – including paramedics and pharmacists.

COVID-19 cases across Atlantic Canada, the pandemic fortunes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have diverged in the first part of 2021.New Brunswick reported 657 new cases in the month of January. In all of 2020, New Brunswick recorded 599 cases of the virus.Just across the border from Aulac, N.B., Nova Scotia reported just 94 cases of the coronavirus over that same period.

COVID-19 on Monday and said 273 active cases remain in the province.According to Public Health, three of the cases are in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and five in Zone 4 (Edmundston region).All individuals are self-isolating and under investigation, said public health officials. Black history resource site launched for New Brunswick teachers The province said the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in New Brunswick is 1,264.

coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 283.There are nine new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region), one new case in Zone 2 (Saint John region) and 16 new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region).One of the Edmundston region cases is an individual over 90 years old.All cases are self-isolating and under investigation, the province says.

COVID-19, bringing the total number of COVID-related deaths in the province to 18.The province also reported 12 new cases of COVID-19, and said 283 active cases remain in New Brunswick.“It is never easy to hear that a fellow New Brunswicker has died from COVID-19,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “Marcia and I extend our deepest sympathies to the person’s loved ones during their time of mourning.”“Our thoughts are also with the health-care workers who are continually providing care and comfort during the pandemic.

New Brunswick says the health zones currently in the orange phase of its COVID-19 response plan will remain there for several more weeks. But as Silas Brown reports, the province will modify its restrictions to allow for larger bubbles.

COVID-19.New Brunswick says $360,000 of the funding will come from the public transit category of the Safe Restart Agreement, a federal program meant to help provinces and municipalities during the pandemic. Maritime Bus delays route cuts, seeks assistance from N.B.

COVID-19 self-isolation rules introduced last week by the provincial government.Workers are required to self-isolate for 14 days and are not allowed to be in a home with other people while in isolation.The “rotational” nature of their work often means a few weeks at a job site outside New Brunswick followed by a break where workers return to their home province.Those breaks are often two weeks in length. N.B.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]Fitzgerald says the four people involved in the cluster are close contacts of one another and are between the ages of 20 and 39.She also says there is a suspected case of COVID-19 at a daycare in the province, though no positive cases have yet been confirmed in connection with the facility.The fourth case announced today is related to international travel and Fitzgerald says there are now nine active reported infections in the province.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan.

coronavirus on Thursday.Two of the new cases are in the Saint John region, 11 are in the Moncton region and 14 are in the Edmundston region.“All cases are self-isolating and under investigation,” the province says. Doctors in hard-hit N.B.

COVID-19.Peter Lewis’ mother Joan Davis died January 21.She had been living in the Lily Court unit inside Tucker Hall at Shannex’s Parkland Saint John facility, where a COVID-19 outbreak continues to rage.

coronavirus on Wednesday as it announced two more residents have died in connection to the virus.Public health says the deaths include one individual in their 70s in the Edmundston region and one individual in their 70s in the Saint John region. The person in Saint John was a resident of Lily Court of Parkland Saint John’s Tucker Hall.“I offer my sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased, and I want them to know that all New Brunswickers grieve with them today,” said Dr.

Some say they’re concerned part of the local population doesn’t believe in the seriousness of the pandemic and isn’t interested in getting tested.The Edmundston region has been under a 14-day lockdown that began Sunday and has nearly half the 339 active reported COVID-19 infections in the province.Dr.

coronavirus on Tuesday, bring the total number of active cases to 339.The new cases include one individual in the Moncton region, three in the Saint John region, five in the Edmundston regions and one in the Campbellton region.All cases are under investigation, the province said. New Brunswick reports 14th COVID-19-related death, 2 zones to move back to orange Tuesday evening Effective at midnight, the Saint John and Fredericton regions are moving back to the orange phase of COVID-19 recovery.

coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 334.There are 10 new cases in Zone 1, the Moncton region, nine new cases in Zone 4, the Edmundston region, and one new case in Zone 7, the Miramichi region.Zones 1, 2, 3 remain in the red phase of COVID-19 recovery, while zones 5, 6, 7 remain in the orange phase.Zone 4 went into a complete lockdown at midnight on Sunday. Edmundston area of New Brunswick in lockdown due to COVID-19 surge To date, the province has confirmed 1,124 cases, of which 776 have recovered.

New Brunswick reports 17 new coronavirus cases, Edmundston region goes into lockdown The order also forces non-essential businesses, schools and public spaces to close, including outdoor ice rinks and ski hills.The province says all indoor and outdoor gatherings from people of different households are prohibited.A detailed list of lockdown restrictions, including what can remain open and what must close, is available online.Provincial officials say they will evaluate the situation in the region every seven days, and cabinet may extend the lockdown if necessary.Zones 1, 2 and 3 remain at the red level under the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan.

COVID-19 on Saturday and said Zone 4 (Edmundston region) will go into lockdown effective at 11:59 p.m.According to Public Health, five of the overall cases are in Zone 1 (Moncton region), one case in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 10 cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), one case in Zone 5 (Campbellton region).All cases are self-isolating and under investigation, said health officials.“As we continue to manage our reality of COVID-19 in the province, I strongly advise everyone who is displaying COVID-19 symptoms to please get tested. Do not take chances with your health and those of your loved ones and others in the community,” said Dr.

Licensed practical nurses in New Brunswick aren’t giving up the fight for different union representation.The LPNs, who cite working conditions and pay among their concerns, recently lost a case before New Brunswick’s Labour and Employment Board.The LPNs want representation from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America … better known as the Carpenters Union.LPN Nicole Tompkins helped spearhead the campaign to leave Local 1252 of CUPE. She says 85 percent were in favour of switching union representation.

coronavirus red alert level, but Premier Blaine Higgs is already warning that if case numbers fail to improve, parts of the province could head into a “lockdown” as early as the end of the week.“We are deciding what a lockdown looks like this week and if we don’t see immediate results over these coming days, then certainly we won’t be afraid to take the next step by the end of the week if necessary,” said Higgs at Tuesday’s COVID-19 update.What exactly a further, more restrictive alert level would look like is not immediately clear. When the province moved to a colour-coded phase approach in April, red was the most restrictive level and looked somewhat similar to what New Brunswickers endured in March.

coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 317.The new cases involve six individuals in the Moncton region, two in the Saint John region, one each in the Fredericton and Campbellton regions and 11 in the Edmundston zone.All cases are self-isolating and are under investigation, the province said.Zone 4, the Edmundston region, now has 103 active cases, nearly a third of the provincial total. That zone, and zones 1, 2 and 3, remain under the red level of COVID-19 recovery.

COVID-19 update on Tuesday as officials are expected to announce a decision on whether more regions in the province will be moved to the red phase of the COVID-19 recovery plan.Premier Blaine Higgs will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Russell for the 3:30 p.m.