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Doug Ford said Friday “no decision” has been made yet on what will happen with schools in the new year.Ford made the comment during a press conference Friday afternoon, where the government announced new measures in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Ontario announces new restrictions in response to Omicron COVID variant “I want to speak directly to the parents out there,” the premier said.“I know you’re concerned about your kids’ schools and what to expect after the new year.

Doug Ford covid-19 gatherings Government

COVID-19: Ontario officials monitoring Omicron data ‘very closely,’ top doctor says

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore said on Friday that the province is following data about the Omicron COVID-19 variant “very closely,” and that they are also in contact with health officials in South Africa, England and Denmark.

Kieran Moore Denmark South Africa covid-19 doctor Health

COVID-19: Manitoba announces reduced capacity, group sizes amid Omicron scare

Manitoba’s chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced on Friday new public health orders for the province for the next three weeks due to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Brent Roussin covid-19 gatherings Health

Travel insurance questions amid new COVID recommendations

The federal government has advised Canadians to refrain from non-essential international travel for now. But that’s not stopping thousands from keeping their holiday plans.

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Ontario adds new restrictions, capacity limits ahead of the holidays

With just over a week until Christmas, the Ontario government has put in new restrictions in a bid to help reduce the spread of Omicron. Erica Vella has details on the new measures.

Erica Vella Government

Efforts to limit spread of Omicron over holiday season in Ontario

Provinces across the country are trying to blunt the surge of the Omicron variant. In Ontario, booster shots have been accelerated and rapid tests are being handed out for free. Marianne Dimain has more.

Marianne Dimain county Ontario testing

Ontario looking into providing support for businesses following new COVID-19 restrictions: Finance minister

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said on Friday the province would be looking into providing support for businesses following the announcement of new COVID-19 restrictions on capacity limits for indoor spaces, including bars and restaurants.

Peter Bethlenfalvy covid-19 Provident Target

COVID-19: Ontario reduces gathering, capacity limits in response to Omicron

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore announced multiple new COVID-19 restrictions for the province on Friday in response to the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, including a 50 per cent capacity limit on indoor spaces like bars, restaurants and shopping malls.

Kieran Moore covid-19 gatherings Health

Ontarians line up outside LCBOs in search of free COVID-19 rapid tests

COVID-weary Ontarians lined up outside liquor stores not for alcohol, but for antigen tests.However, many went home empty-handed – or with a bit of booze to make the wait worth their while – as demand for test kits far outpaced the supply sent to select LCBO locations across the province.A queue wrapped around the block at the Toronto store Alexis Gosselin staked out at 9 a.m. on Friday.

covid-19 testing Parke

Montreal hospital says a healthy newborn baby has died from COVID-19

Montreal’s CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital announced on Friday the death of a newborn following complications linked to COVID-19.In a news release, a spokesperson for the hospital said the infant, who was born healthy, had recently been hospitalized with COVID-19 and was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.The baby, who died on Dec. 16, was under two months old.The hospital extended its condolences to the parents and loved ones.Hospital authorities say infants are more at risk of experiencing complications related to COVID-19, and following measures to curb the transmission of the virus is of outmost importance.

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COVID-19: Manitoba health officials give unexpected update on public health orders

COVID-19 public health orders at a hastily-scheduled press conference Friday. Manitoba reports highest fourth wave daily COVID-19 case count for 2nd day in a row Dr.

Brent Roussin covid-19 recommendations Health

5 hockey COVID outbreaks in region connected to 56 cases: Waterloo Public Health

COVID-19 outbreaks were declared by Waterloo Public Health on Friday, including one connected to the Waterloo Minor Hockey Association and another which remains unnamed.The WMHA outbreak is connected to five cases, while the other is related to two which explains why one went unnamed.

city Waterloo city Cambridge outbreak vaccine reports

It will take ‘weeks to months’ to get third doses to all eligible Hamiltonians, says top doc

COVID-19 vaccine capacity to get in more third-dose inoculations, the process is going to take a while.About 320,000 Hamiltonians will be cleared for their third shots on Monday when the Ford government opens up boosters for anyone aged 18 or over who wants one.With such a large number to address, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson says it’s going to take some time since there’s simply “not enough hours in the day” to expedite a large program.

Canada city Kingston city Elizabeth, county Richardson county Richardson vaccine Health Citi

COVID-19: Canada reintroduces PCR test for any length of travel, lifts ban on 10 African countries

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced on Friday that the government of Canada was reintroducing the requirement for a negative PCR pre-arrival test for all travellers, including those who were leaving for less than 72 hours starting Dec. 21.

Jean Yves Duclos Canada covid-19 testing travelers

Manitoba reports highest fourth wave daily COVID-19 case count for 2nd day in a row

COVID-19 cases in the fourth wave, for the second straight day.Health officials announced 239 new cases Friday after 218 new infections were reported Thursday. Manitoba to make free COVID-19 rapid tests available at First Nation schools It’s the fifth time daily cases have climbed over 200 this month, and the highest one-day jump since mid-June.Officials also said two new cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in Manitoba, bringing the province’s total number of Omicron cases to eight.There are now 1,799 active cases across Manitoba and the province’s five-day test positivity rate is 6.5 per cent.Health officials also reported another death linked with COVID-19 Friday and released details of two deaths announced Thursday.

covid-19 Health reports

COVID-19: London Police Headquarters closed to the public starting Dec. 18

COVID-19 cases, along with the growing presence of the Omicron variant.Police describe the closure as a precautionary measure and say they consulted with the Middlesex-London Health Unit prior to making the decision.

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Albertans line up to get their free rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits

On Friday, rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits became available for free at many AHS sites across the province, along with hundreds of pharmacies in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. As Dan Grummett explains, a finite supply led to long and sometimes chilly lines.

covid-19 testing

OHL bracing for more COVID-19 uncertainty with capacity reduction

COVID-19 case counts across the province wouldn’t force the government’s hand.He could also read the tea leaves.Ontario announced a 50-per-cent limit on venues _ including hockey arenas _ with capacities of more than 1,000 people this week in hopes of slowing the spread of the pandemic’s latest wave fuelled by the fast-moving Omicron variant.And while the NHL and NBA grabbed the early headlines, and will have far fewer people in the stands when the new rules come into effect Saturday, a junior circuit that overwhelmingly relies on ticket sales to keep the lights on is staring down yet more potential hardships.

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Ministry of Labour to conduct COVID-19 inspection blitz at Ontario businesses Saturday

COVID-19 cases surge.The Ministry of Labour says 150 provincial offences officers will be deployed across Ontario.They’ll focus their efforts on big box stores, bars, salons and other high-risk settings, ensuring businesses are enforcing distancing requirements, checking vaccine certificates and following other health rules. Premier Doug Ford, Dr.

Doug Ford covid-19 Health Waves

Alberta UCP MLAs told not to travel internationally over holidays amid COVID-19 uncertainty

COVID-19 vaccination status, should avoid all non-essential international travel amid a rise in Omicron cases.“To those who were planning to travel, I say very clearly, now is not the time to travel,” said federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.“The rapid spread of the Omicron variant on a global scale makes us fear the worst for Canadians that may think of travelling.

Jean Yves Duclos Canada covid-19 Government travelers

Premier Doug Ford, Dr. Kieran Moore to make announcement Friday

Doug Ford and the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore are set to make an announcement Friday afternoon.They are scheduled to speak at 3:30 p.m.

Doug Ford Kieran Moore Health reports Remark

B.C. to provide COVID-19 update with new rules to fight Omicron spread

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix are expected to introduce new measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in a news conference on Friday afternoon.

Bonnie Henry Adrian Dix covid-19

COVID-19: MLHU reports 116 cases, highest daily increase since late April

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reported 116 COVID-19 cases on Friday — the highest daily case count since 141 cases were recorded April 27 and the first time the daily count has climbed above 100 since 100 cases were recorded May 8.The case count also marks a sharp uptick week over week, with the MLHU reporting 42 cases last Friday, Dec. 10 and 38 cases on Friday, Dec.

Arthur Currie covid-19 vaccine reports

Canadians should adjust holiday plans amid Omicron, Canada’s top doctor urges

COVID-19.Canadians should “reduce contacts as much as possible” right now, said Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer of Canada, speaking in French at a press conference Friday.“The principle, is we’re saying to all Canadians to really limit the number of contacts, if it’s possible,” he said.

Howard Njoo France Canada testing vaccine Health

COVID-19: No luck for Londoners seeking a rapid test at the LCBO on Friday

COVID-19 testing kit at a local LCBO.Six LCBO locations in London were expected to provide the kits on Friday morning, but about a half-hour before those stores were set to open, Global News learned the tests were not available. 6 LCBOs in London, Ont.

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Thousands of new COVID-19 vaccination appointments in Waterloo Region expected to be filled quickly

COVID-19 vaccinations on Friday at noon, although those are expected to be quickly filled.The new appointments will allow people to be vaccinated at the Bingemans Hockey Hub Clinic in Kitchener as well as at the Cambridge Pinebush Clinic before Christmas Day.With thousands of appointments coming open, the region is still going to have its hands full attempting to match demand amid the recent surge of COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant.“What a difference a week makes. Last week, during my announcement, we had 40,000 appointments available for third doses,” Vickie Murray, who is leading the region’s vaccine efforts, told reporters Friday morning.

Vickie Murray city Waterloo covid-19 testing vaccine

1 more Calgary Flames player, 1 support staff member enter NHL COVID-19 protocol

Calgary Flames organization have entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.In an update on Twitter Friday morning, the Flames said centre Mikael Backlund and one member of the support staff entered the protocol.#Flames Roster Update: Mikael Backlund and 1 member of the support staff have entered the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocol.— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 17, 2021This brings the total number of players who have entered the league’s COVID protocol to 19 as of Friday morning, in addition to several members of the coaching and support staff.The Flames carry 25 players on their roster.

covid-19 NHL Twitter

Manitoba to make free COVID-19 rapid tests available at First Nation schools

COVID-19 rapid tests available for free to First Nations schools leading into the holiday season.The kits will be given to students in kindergarten to Grade 6 classes as a first step in a plan that will eventually see the tests made available at all schools across the province.

Cliff Cullen covid-19 testing Provident

COVID-19: Support for lockdowns dwindle as Omicron spreads across Canada, poll shows

A majority of Canadians say they’re still in support of another lockdown to stop the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, but despite more than 55 per cent of Canadians showing such support for renewed public health measures, the poll’s results — done by Ipsos exclusively for Global News — also show that the same support is dwindling.

Canada covid-19 Health

Canada reintroducing PCR test for any length of travel abroad amid Omicron

COVID-19 test for all travellers leaving Canada regardless of trip duration.Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made the announcement on Friday as Canada continues to see a rise of Omicron COVID-19 infections.Duclos said the government is reinstating the requirement for a pre-arrival negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result for all travellers leaving the country for less than 72 hours, and as of Dec. 21, the requirement for pre-arrival testing will be in place again for trips of all durations.“As I announced Wednesday, the Government of Canada is advising Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside the country,” Duclos said.

Jean-Yves Duclos Canada covid-19 testing travelers

Ontario reports 3,124 new COVID cases as daily counts continue to surge

COVID cases on Friday, as daily positive infections continue to rise rapidly amid the highly contagious Omicron variant. The provincial case total now stands at 642,465.For comparison, last Friday saw 1,453 new cases and the previous Friday saw 1,031.Over the last three days, there were 2,421 new cases reported Thursday, 1,808 on Wednesday, and 1,429 on Tuesday.

vaccine patient Waves

COVID-19: LCBOs in Guelph, Waterloo Region to hand out rapid antigen tests Friday

COVID-19: Ontarians scramble to get rapid antigen tests in provincial holiday test blitz So far, they are only available at LCBOs on a limited basis, but pop-up locations throughout the area are expected to be announced in the coming days.The province says the tests are available to people without symptoms of COVID-19 or those who have not had been exposed to the virus.Those that visit an LCBO to pick up a box of five rapid tests will still need to go through a checkout to do so and there is no obligation to purchase booze or anything else.The tests will be available at the following locations:

covid-19 testing symptoms

Sir Arthur Currie P. S. closed due to COVID-19-related ‘operational challenges’

Thames Valley District School Board closed it Friday.According to the board, a suspected case of COVID-19 with possible ties to previous cases has resulted in operational challenges, forcing the closure. In Middlesex-London, all COVID-19 cases are assumed to involve Omicron and therefore close contacts are required to quarantine for 10 days regardless of vaccination status.

Arthur Currie county Middlesex covid-19 vaccine quarantine

COVID-19 rapid tests now available for all Albertans

COVID-19, free rapid tests are now available for all Albertans.Premier Jason Kenney announced a slight change to gathering restrictions for the holidays on Wednesday and also announced any Albertan with an Alberta health care card can receive a rapid testing kit. The kit includes five tests and is designed to be used every 72 hours.

Jason Kenney Joe Vipond covid-19 gatherings testing

Support for COVID-19 lockdowns dwindle as Omicron spreads across Canada: poll

A majority of Canadians say they’re still in support of another lockdown to stop the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, a new poll has found.

Canada COVID news

B.C. evening weather forecast: Dec. 16

Senior meteorologist Kristi Gordon has the Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 forecast for Metro Vancouver and British Columbia.

Kristi Gordon Britain city Columbia, Britain city Vancouver Metro

‘Safer’ drug supply runs into red tape

Two high-profile B.C. doctors say their attempt to distribute pharmaceutical-grade “clean” heroin is moving too slowly while lives are being lost every day to the toxic drug overdose crisis. Rumina Daya reports.

crisis doctor reports

Long lines at Metro Vancouver test sites amid surging COVID-19 case numbers

COVID-19 surges as B.C.

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COVID case spike could trigger new round of B.C. restrictions

With cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant surging, other provinces are now putting new restriction into place, and similar measures are being contemplated here in B.C. Richard Zussman reports.

covid-19 reports

‘My daughter is gone’: Deadly consequences for Afghan refugees still waiting to be resettled in Canada

Ottawa had promised to help tens of thousands of Afghans, but many are at the mercy of bureaucratic red tape, and the delays are proving to be deadly for some people who were already approved to be resettled in Canada.

Jeff Semple Canada Afghanistan Ottawa consequences

Girl shot dead by Taliban while family was preparing to flee to Canada

Afghanistan while her family was preparing to flee to Canada under an immigration program for Afghans who worked for the Canadian Forces, multiple sources said Thursday.The girl, Nazifa, was killed when gunfire erupted near a Taliban checkpoint in Kandahar on the night of Dec. 10, her father and the Canadian veterans group Aman Lara told Global News in interviews.The father had worked for the Canadian military in Kandahar until 2011.

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5 children dead after ‘horrific’ bouncy castle incident in Australia

picked up by a gust of wind in Australia, police say.The accident happened at a school fun day on Thursday in Devonport, Tasmania. Hillcrest Primary School was holding its annual tradition to mark the end of the school year.The children were in the fifth and sixth grade, meaning they were likely 10 or 11 years old.Two girls and two boys were among the victims.

Australia hospital reports Ball

Omicron FAQ: Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 variant

COVID-19 pandemic has thrown countless curve balls at Canadians and it shows no sign of stopping.Enter Omicron, a new variant that is spreading quickly, threatening to replace the Delta variant as the dominant strain in several countries.Many scientists are studying the mutation, seeking to provide answers to the hundreds of questions being asked.Here is what we know about Omicron so far. Much of this could change, and when it does, this post will be updated as needed.Towards the end of November, COVID-19 infections in South Africa began increasing steeply. While studying the spike, scientists came across a new mutation on Nov.

South Africa covid-19 vaccine infection

COVID-19: Some Canadian travellers say advisory came with too little notice

Plans are unravelling for many Albertans who wanted to travel abroad for the holidays. Ottawa is advising against non-essential travel, warning Canadians that the uncertainty and transmissibility of the Omicron COVID-19 variant could cause problems in foreign countries.

city Ottawa covid-19 travelers reports

COVID-19: Rising cases in two B.C. health regions

There are two COVID-19 hot spots in our province, setting the stage for potential new restrictions in the province. Keith Baldrey has more on what health regions are seeing.

Keith Baldrey covid-19 Health

Fears rise Omicron will stretch already stressed health workers

The more transmissible Omicron variant is driving up Canada’s COVID-19 cases, fuelling fears the health-care system will again be pushed to the brink.

Jamie Mauracher Canada covid-19 Health Waves

COVID-19: Omicron variant detected at University of Calgary campus, provost says

COVID-19 has arrived at the University of Calgary.An email to students from the university provost, Teri Balser, confirmed the university was informed of an individual who was on campus who later tested positive for the Omicron variant.

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‘We have to go see our families’: Travel advisory frustrates pandemic-fatigued Canadians

Frustration is mounting among airlines and travellers over Canada’s advisory against non-essential international travel.

Abigail Bimman Canada experts travelers

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

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