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COVID-19 surge tied to the more infectious Omicron variant.Officials with McMaster University say they will start their winter term Jan. 10 as planned, but only virtually with a large portion of its classes.“We are asking instructors, with limited exceptions in clinical settings, to hold classes virtually for the first week with in-person instruction beginning January 17,” president and vice-chancellor David Farrar said in message to students.

David Farrar covid-19 vaccine Citi

NHL players weigh risks, look for information as Olympic decision looms

NHL players had been expressing an overwhelming desire to take part in the Beijing Olympics.After the league skipped the sporting showcase four years ago, it could be the last chance for some of the game’s current stars — including Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin — to compete under a unique, global spotlight.And for others — like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews — it’s their first opportunity.It’s also seems less and less likely with each passing day.NHLers started to learn over the last number of days what a positive COVID-19 test could mean while they’re away chasing gold in China.And it isn’t pretty.The International Olympic Committee’s playbook states an athlete that tests positive for COVID-19 in China will need to produce two

Alex Ovechkin China city Beijing county Crosby city Sidney, county Crosby covid-19 testing NHL

COVID-19: Alberta hoping booster shots and rapid tests will offer key protection

Premier Jason Kenney says part of the reason his is able to loosen gathering restrictions for the holidays is because two more tools in Alberta’s fight against COVID-19 are being expanded.

Jason Kenney covid-19 gatherings testing

COVID-19: Interior Health’s 3 Omicron cases ‘not travel-related’

B.C. to provide at-home COVID-19 rapid tests, but not until January “We know there is a lot of uncertainty still about Omicron.

Bonnie Henry province Health covid-19 gatherings Provident

Alberta relaxes COVID-19 rules in time for Christmas

Alberta is relaxing its COVID-19 rules in time for the holiday season as the province waits to see if the new Omicron variant will throw things off course. Morgan Black breaks down the changes.

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COVID-19 cases growing in one B.C. health region

Global’s Keith Baldrey has the details on the growth of COVID-19 cases in one health region that has been quiet recently.

Keith Baldrey covid-19 Health

B.C. policies on rapid testing and booster doses under scrutiny

The B.C. governments approach to acquiring and distributing COVID-19 rapid test kits in under scrutiny as other provinces give out those tests for free as the Omicron variant surges. Richard Zussman reports.

covid-19 testing Government

COVID-19: Can British Columbians expect restrictions on public events?

Global News reporter Richard Zussman asks Health Minister Adrian Dix at a COVID-19 press briefing Wednesday if B.C. officials will restrict the size of public gatherings at large events, following in the steps of other provinces.

Adrian Dix Richard Zussman Britain covid-19 Health reports

‘It was overwhelming, an emotional day’: 1st Alberta nurse to receive COVID-19 vaccine looks back at past year

Nurse Tanya Harvey, the first person in Alberta to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, joins Global Calgary’s Linda Olsen to discuss the last year on the anniversary of her first dose.

Linda Olsen covid-19 vaccine

COVID-19: Why is British Columbia waiting for rapid tests, will the gap between vaccines boosters be shortened?

Global News reporter Richard Zussman asks Health Minister Adrian Dix on Wednesday why B.C. is waiting for COVID-19 rapid tests when other provinces are handing them out.

Adrian Dix Richard Zussman Britain city Columbia, Britain covid-19 testing vaccine why

Ottawa advising Canadians avoid non-essential international travel as Omicron spreads

The federal government is asking anyone planning to travel outside the country over the holidays to reconsider. Ina Sidhu has reaction from Calgary.

city Ottawa Government travelers

Global News at 6 Regina: Dec. 15

The Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, edition of Global News at 6 with Kevin Hirschfield on Global Regina.

COVID-19: Health officials confirm 95 cases of Omicron in Montreal, expect more to come

COVID-19 variant Wednesday, where cases of community transmission of the variant have been reported.“This is not the place we expected to be two weeks before the holidays,” said the city’s public health director, Dr. Mylene Drouin, during a media briefing.

Mylène Drouin county Delta covid-19 testing vaccine

COVID-19: Province expands availability of rapid tests to Albertans ahead of holidays

As part of changes to coronavirus-related public health restrictions in Alberta, the provincial government is making at-home, rapid-test kits available for the public starting Friday. Adam MacVicar reports.

Adam Macvicar covid-19 testing Health

Public health experts urge caution amid Omicron spread

Medical experts warn having two doses of COVID-19 vaccine will not protect you against the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Jamie Mauracher covid-19 experts Health

COVID-19: Over a quarter of USask final exams back to in-person

University of Saskatchewan (USask), some for the first time since the 2019 fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.This fall semester, 27 per cent of 1,220 exams have transitioned back to an in-person format in Saskatoon. USask threatened with legal action over campus COVID-19 vaccine mandate Fourth-year student Tauqeer Iftikhar recently finished a biology class that didn’t end with a take-home exam done remotely.“It’s obviously tricky because you haven’t really studied for these closed-book finals or these high-intensity finals.

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Ottawa advises Canadians to avoid all non-essential international travel

As Omicron cases surge, the federal government now says Canadians should avoid all non-essential international travel.

Abigail Bimman city Ottawa Government travelers

Alberta eases some rules on holiday gatherings despite Omicron concerns

Alberta is officially easing some COVID-19 restrictions ahead of the holidays, to allow more families and friends to get together. Heather Yourex-West explains how the measures won’t be as lax as some Albertans were hoping for.

covid-19 gatherings

Global News at 6 Saskatoon: Dec. 15

The Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, edition of Global News at 6 with Kevin Hirschfield on Global Saskatoon.

‘I’m afraid it is a problem’: Concerns rise Omicron may overwhelm U.K. health system

With cases of the more contagious Omicron variant spiking in the United Kingdom, concerns are rising that hospitals will be overwhelmed again.

Crystal Goomansingh Britain hospital Health

Ontario expanding rapid COVID testing strategy in light of Omicron

Ontario is ramping up its rapid testing capabilities as Omicron continues to spread. The province will be leaning heavily towards a number of businesses to provide the tests, including the LCBO. Brittany Rosen has more.

Brittany Rosen testing Provident Strategy

Canadian government advises against non-essential international travel

The Trudeau government has issued an advisory asking Canadians not to travel abroad this holiday season. Morganne Campbell reports.

Government travelers reports

COVID vaccine boosters available to those 18+ in Ontario starting Monday

Ontario has announced that COVID vaccine boosters will now be available to those aged 18+ in the province starting Monday. Capacity restrictions are also being reintroduced for large indoor venues. Sean O’Shea reports.

county Ontario vaccine reports

Ontario parents worry school closure to follow winter break

With a record high number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario schools, families are bracing for a possible extended winter break. As Caryn Lieberman reports, school boards aren’t wasting time getting ready in case they need to pivot to online learning.

county Ontario covid-19 reports

Final exam advice for students feeling stressed during COVID-19 pandemic

The University of Saskatchewan’s vice-provost of teaching, learning and student experience, Jay Wilson, has advice for students feeling stressed during final exams while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

covid-19 pandemic

Manitoba reports 2 COVID-19 deaths, 206 new cases

covid-19 Health reports

Some universities delaying return to in-person classes after Winter Break as COVID cases rise

COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.York University’s president said the school is making “modest adjustments” to plans for the winter semester, which aims to deliver most classes in-person and resume most on-campus activities in the new year.The winter term will start on Jan. 10, she said, but the in-person delivery of courses and most on-campus activities will now start on Jan.

covid-19 president Government

Omicron identified in all four Atlantic provinces after first case reported in N.L.

Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus has reached all four Atlantic provinces, after Newfoundland and Labrador on Wednesday confirmed its first case of the mutation believed to be more infectious than Delta.But unlike the other three provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador did not make a link between its case of Omicron and the COVID-19 outbreak at a university in Nova Scotia. Dr.

Nova Scotia Janice Fitzgerald Canada county Atlantic covid-19 gatherings testing

School boards in London, Ont. region ask families to prepare for closures

COVID-19 — At least 7 schools currently closed in London, Ont.

Mark Fisher city London county Ontario covid-19 information Digital

More must be done to combat COVID-19 disinformation sharing in Canada, researcher says

Queen’s University assistant professor and family doctor Michelle Cohen explains the dangers of the spread of COVID-19 disinformation.

Canada covid-19 doctor

Ontario reintroducing capacity limits for large indoor venues amid Omicron concerns

Omicron variant.The government said capacity limits of 50 per cent will be applied to indoor areas of venues with a normal capacity of 1,000 or more.The new rules will take effect on Saturday at 12:01 a.m.

Government strain reports

Global Edmonton’s 18th annual Give Me Shelter donation drive on a chilly Wednesday

Our Give me Shelter campaign donation drive is happening Wednesday, and for a second year we’re asking for gift cards and monetary donations due to the pandemic. Jesse Beyer speaks with Sheena Fitzpatrick from the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters on how the donations will help families fleeing from domestic violence.

Jesse Beyer pandemic donates

Manitoba announces funding to add nursing spots at post-secondary schools

nurse training seats over the next several years.The funding announcement came Wednesday, days after Manitoba urgently asked Ottawa to send up to 30 ICU nurses to help deal with a provincial health system stretched thin by COVID-19.

Heather Stefanson city Ottawa covid-19 Government Health

COVID-19: What can you do in Alberta during the holidays?

COVID-19 restrictions in time for some of the winter holidays, but what exactly does that mean for your favourite holiday activities?Whether it’s dinner with your family, seeing a Christmas show or volunteering at a local charity, here is what is and isn’t allowed in Alberta under the current COVID-19 restrictions.For many people, the most important part of the holidays is being able to gather with family and friends. Last year, no private indoor gatherings were permitted.

Jason Kenney covid-19 gatherings vaccine

COVID-19: Feds advise Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Wednesday that the federal government was officially advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada.

Jean-Yves Duclos Canada covid-19 travelers Health

Doctor predicts fifth wave on anniversary of COVID-19 vaccines in Saskatchewan

COVID-19 vaccinations in Saskatchewan.It seemed to, just maybe, herald the end of the pandemic.But now the Omicron variant poses a new threat and a colleague of Betcher’s says a fifth wave is just a matter of time. Canada advising against non-essential travel as Omicron spreads worldwide “We understand everybody is incredibly tired.

Alex Wong Canada covid-19 Health Waves

B.C. evening weather forecast: Dec. 14

Meteorologist Kristi Gordon has the Tuesday, Dec.14, 2021 forecast for Metro Vancouver and British Columbia.

Kristi Gordon Britain city Columbia, Britain city Vancouver Metro

Canada advising against non-essential travel as Omicron spreads worldwide

Omicron variant continues to quickly spread worldwide.Officials announced Wednesday that Canadians, regardless of their vaccination status, should avoid non-essential international travel as the country, and world, see a rise in Omicron COVID-19 infections.“To those who were planning to travel, I say very clearly, now is not the time to travel,” said 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. Travelling Canadians could contract the virus, or get stranded abroad.” Omicron is raging in the U.K.

Jean Yves Duclos Canada vaccine travelers Health

COVID-19: MLHU reports 65 cases, death of man in his 50s

Ontario’s Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reported 65 COVID-19 cases Wednesday and one death. The death involved a man in his 50s not associated with a long-term care or retirement home.

Canada covid-19 vaccine reports

COVID-19: Manitoba official urges residents to get booster shot due to Omicron variant

Dr. Joss Reimer, head of Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine task force urged residents aged 60 and older to get their third COVID-19 booster shot as soon as they’re able to do so, as the Omicron variant continues to gain a significant foothold in Canada.

Joss Reimer Canada covid-19 vaccine

COVID-19: Omicron variant cases expected to increase in Manitoba, Dr. Roussin says

Manitoba’s chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said on Wednesday that while the Omicron COVID-19 variant isn’t currently a large problem in Manitoba, it is expected to take over as the dominant strain in the coming weeks.

Brent Roussin covid-19 strain Health

COVID-19: 99 new cases, 1 new death reported in Waterloo Region on Wednesday

COVID-19 cases in the area to 21,634.This is the highest one-day total the agency has announced since April, when the region was slowly emerging from the fourth wave of the pandemic.It also lifts the rolling seven-day average number of new cases in the area up to 58.4, a number that stood at 37.4 just seven days earlier.For the second consecutive day, the agency also reported a new COVID-19-related death.“Today we are reporting one death in our community related to COVID-19,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, medical officer of health, stated.“The individual was a female in her 70s.

Hsiu-Li Wang city Waterloo covid-19 death reports

COVID-19: Some Ontario school boards proactively prepare in case of switch to remote learning

remote learning in the new year.In a memo issued today, the Toronto District School Board told parents it hasn’t received any indication from the Ministry of Education that schools will close, but it wants to make sure it’s prepared.The TDSB says it wants to implement any decision the province makes “smoothly and efficiently” to support students’ learning and well-being.The Waterloo Region District School Board issued a similar memo today, saying its staff have prepared schools to “ensure a smooth transition, if required.” East Toronto school with 16 active COVID cases closed to in-person learning Both school boards are asking families to remind their children to take home their personal belongings and any tools or supplies they might

covid-19 Health reports Learning

Vaccine capacity ramping up in Ontario ahead of booster plan details amid emergency of Omicron

COVID-19 booster shot rollout were underway Wednesday in Ontario as the province braced for a growing wave of infections from the highly transmissible Omicron variant.Public Health Ontario has estimated that 80 per cent of new COVID-19 infections as of this week would be Omicron. Dr.

Doug Ford Kieran Moore Jim Watson county Ontario city Ottawa covid-19 vaccine Health

Alberta hasn’t discussed sports gathering limits as more Calgary Flames members enter COVID-19 protocol

In light of 16 members of the Calgary Flames organization entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, Premier Jason Kenney said the province hasn’t yet discussed changing gathering limits for sports events, adding it’s believed the restriction exemption program is working as it should right now.

Jason Kenney covid-19 gatherings sports

Ontario virtual housing affordability summit postponed so governments can tackle Omicron

COVID-19.The summit was to be held Thursday, with Premier Doug Ford, Housing Minister Steve Clark and numerous mayors.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had also been invited to participate. Board proposes framework to increase Ontario’s housing options, affordability But in a statement Wednesday, Clark says the province is delaying the meeting until the new year so that all levels of government can focus on combatting the public health crisis.The provincial and federal governments are mulling new restrictions and a faster COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout due to the Omicron variant, which is far more transmissible than the Delta variant that drove the third wave of the pandemic.

Doug Ford Justin Trudeau Steve Clark covid-19 Government Health

Alberta lifting some COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas

Ahead of the holidays, Premier Jason Kenney announced two adjustments to Alberta’s current gathering restrictions: the two-household cohort restriction has been removed, and the requirement to be vaccinated has been lifted for small gatherings inside homes. Kenney said with nearly 90 per cent of adults having at least once dose, the rule is no longer required.

Jason Kenney covid-19 gatherings vaccine

Alberta obtaining more Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping said Alberta is obtaining more doses of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine and urged people who are holding out for it to book their appointment. Copping also provided more details on how Albertans can obtain one of the 500,000 rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits being offered for free around the province.

Alberta Health Jason Copping covid-19 vaccine Health

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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