The public returned to St Peter's Square in the Vatican today to receive Pope Francis's blessing

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Ontario to begin resuming non-urgent surgeries on Monday Across the area, there are 15,937 patients awaiting surgery or procedures with 56 per cent of those affected being cataract patients.St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener and Guelph General Hospital are the two hospitals with the biggest backlogs to deal with as 7,490 patients and 4,095 patients on the hospitals’ respective waitlists.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man needed a double-lung transplant to beat COVID-19."Every time I breathe is a gift," said David Wilkinson.A gift, because the 50-year-old man is breathing air through two new lungs thanks to an organ donor.After getting COVID-19 and ending up on a ventilator five months ago, his wife was given the heartbreaking decision to keep him on life support or not.But they weren't ready to give up.They said it would take about five minutes for him to pass," said Karen Wilkinson, David's Wife "Before he was placed on life support, he made me promise that I would not let him stop fighting."MORE NEWS: Florida father killed children, 12 and 9, then himself, police sayThat’s where Dr. Cynthia Gries comes into the pictures.

Listen to the conversations here:Live Q&A on #COVID19 and Omicron sub-variant BA.2 with Dr @mvankerkhove and @DrAbdiMahamud. #AskWHO https://t.co/NVQMa8HHk7

Alberta government’s decision to eliminate a proof-of-vaccine program, calling it “akin to ripping the Band-Aid off before the wound has healed.”The Calgary Chamber of Commerce issued a strongly worded statement Tuesday evening, just hours after Premier Jason Kenney announced that businesses will no longer have to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from patrons as of midnight. COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program, or REP, was introduced last fall in an effort to curb spiking case rates and encourage vaccination.

Quebec announces staggered reopening plan through to mid-March The most recent information shows 28,296 tests were given at screening clinics Monday.Quebecers continue to register their rapid test results on the government’s new website. More than 72,070 results have been declared, including 55,794 positive results.Meanwhile, 35,044 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the last day.

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A moose stands over Iditarod rookie musher Bridgett Watkins’ dog team on Feb. 4, 2022, along a trail near Fairbanks, Alaska.

COVID-19: Three U of W Collegiate instructors sue school, province over vaccine mandate Global News will stream the press conference on this page.

convoy demonstrations against COVID-19 measures.Police said the westbound lanes of the highway at Nauvoo Road have been shut down due to “high traffic volumes” from “freedom convoy” demonstrators.Drivers in the area are being asked to follow emergency detour route signage. Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge access resumes after trucker protest blocked traffic “The OPP respects the right of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” police said.“The OPP asks everyone to be patient and respectful of each other despite potential inconvenience.”The closure is approximately 45 km away from the Blue Water Bridge crossing between Canada and the United States in Sarnia, Ont.It’s not clear if that’s where convoy demonstrators are intending to go.Part of Highway 402 was blocked on Sunday as well due to convoy demonstrations. Police have redirected commercial traffic to the Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia, Ont., and urged motorists to avoid the area around the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont.There, a protest against COVID-19 measures is blocking Canada-bound vehicles from crossing the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit for a third day.More to come.— With files from The Canadian Press#LambtonOPP have implemented a closure of westbound Highway 402 at Nauvoo Road to ensure public safety.

COVID-19 news conference Wednesday afternoon.The event is set to begin at 3 p.m. and will be live streamed here.The province has not yet said what the news conference will be about, but it’s expected that some restrictions will be eased.

Olympic silver in a men’s 1,500-metre short-track speed skating race that came down to a matter of millimetres on Wednesday.Dubois, of Terrebonne, Que., advanced to the final after official review following an error in the semis. He took home the medal in a photo-finish over bronze medallist Semen Elistratov of the Russian Olympic Committee.

COVID on Wednesday, with 449 in intensive care units.This is down by 195 hospitalizations and a decrease of 25 in ICUs since the previous day. Last Wednesday, there were 2,939 hospitalizations with 555 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 2,059 people in hospital with COVID-19, 56 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 44 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 449 people in ICUs with the virus, around 80 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while around 20 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

A new sub-variant of Omicron Covid is now spreading throughout the nation.

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A healthcare worker conducts a swab test at a COVID-19 testing site in Cruz Bay, Saint John, Virgin Islands, U.S. Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?It’s too early to know for sure, but many doctors believe it’s possible to have long-term effects from the omicron variant of the virus.Long COVID is usually diagnosed many weeks after a bout with COVID-19.

PHOENIX - A restaurant owner in the Phoenix area said he was shocked when nearly his entire staff was poached by another restaurant.Incidents like the one that happened to Matt Gorman paint a picture of the aggressive competition for workers in these times.Gorman, who owns Matty G's in Tempe, had to close the restaurant shortly after Thanksgiving, after he says another restaurant poached nearly his entire staff."They didn't even give us two weeks notice. Nothing," Gorman recounted.

COVID-19 surge fuelled by the Omicron variant.St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s Urgent Care Centre on King Street East will once again operate between 8 a.m.

An expert in infectious diseases has shown concern about the number of children who remain absent from school weeks after Covid-19 infection.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (9) said that his policies and the policies of the government were prepared with the future generations in mind.President Rajapaksa assured that all promises will be fulfilled.He said the government is facing challenges in various sectors, including education, agriculture, and electricity.Noting that the economy is reviving following the pandemic, President Rajapaksa urged the masses to obtain the booster dose and not leave any reason for the country to go into lockdown again.The President urged the public sector employees to fulfill their duties and responsibilities in line with the government’s policy statement.“I promised the farmers that fertilizer will be given for free and the certified price for paddy will be increased, and that was my first duty,” said the President while addressing a crowd at the Salgado Stadium in Anuradhapura.The President also promised to increase the income of the local farmers by 100% with or without fertilizer.

An ongoing legal issue that could affect the medallists in the team figure skating competition at the Beijing Olympics, an event in which Canada finished fourth, has caused the award ceremony to be delayed, the IOC said Wednesday.

More than 70 Girvan residents did their bit for the Quay Zone leisure centre by continuing to pay membership fees despite the facility being forced to close because of Covid.

The Scottish Government has confirmed 15 people have died from coronavirus in the last 24 hours,

Jenna Jameson appears to be on the mend after a weeks-long struggle with a mystery illness. The model and former porn star, 47, was hospitalized in early January after losing her ability to walk.  Taking to her Instagram Story this week, the former adult film actress wrote to fans, "Hey, guys. I’m still in the hospital, but I’m doing OK and i’ll be out soon," Page Six reports.

Boris Johnson has announced a shock plan to end all covid self-isolation laws in England in just two weeks time.

With the announcement that Boris Johnson hopes to scrap all coronavirus restrictions by the end of February, you may be wondering what restrictions are still in place.

The City of Saskatoon is lifting vaccine mandates along with the province — but it may be done more as a requirement than by choice.

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PHILLIP Schofield got a scolding from his This Morning bosses after joking he was still Covid positive - despite being back at work. The presenter returned to the daytime sofa after coronavirus forced him to isolate for a week.

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SURPRISE, Ariz. - Police in Surprise say they arrested a man after he stabbed his girlfriend multiple times during an argument over homework.According to court documents, 27-year-old Raymond Maltos was arrested on Feb.

coronavirus restrictions may end in just two weeks time.Opening Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid.“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”Mr Johnson indicated that as long as the data remained positive, the legal duty to self-isolate would be lifted a whole month earlier than planned.The plan was for self-isolation regulations to expire on March 24., but the announcement means the law could axed on around as early as Thursday 24 February.Mr Johnson's announcement comes as a leading expert believes the UK is “past the point” where vaccinating young, healthy children against Covid-19 will do any good.Paul Hunter, professor of medicine from the University of East Anglia, said most children have already had coronavirus, with the vast majority not falling seriously ill.Prof Hunter told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme infection rates in children are “falling really quickly at the moment”, adding: “So I think in many ways we’re past the point where vaccines are actually going to make much difference.”This is a breaking news story and is constantly being updated.Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest updates. Reporters working on dailystar.co.uk will be working to source the latest information, reaction, pictures and video related to this story.

More European countries could scrap tests for fully vaccinated arrivals in the coming days, according to reports.

PHILADELPHIA - A water main break in Kingsessing is disrupting traffic and causing major problems early Wednesday morning. The water main break happened at approximately 6:30 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA - Police say they made an arrest in a carjacking that led to a wild pursuit Tuesday evening. The incident happened Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. when police responded to report of a man following his Mercedes Benz sedan that was stolen during a carjacking at gun point about a week ago. Police were able to catch up to the vehicle which was on the 4000 block of Aramingo Avenue. When police attempted to stop the stolen Mercedes Benz, the driver took off at a high rate of speed and refused to stop, according to officials. Officers continued their pursuit until the driver of that stolen vehicle got to the 4500 block of Richmond Street when the vehicle crashed, rear-ending a parked and unattended vehicle. At this point, the driver got out of the stolen vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

Over 1⃣ crore youngsters between 15-18 age group are now fully vaccinated against #COVID19

COVID-19 rapid antigen tests at grocery stores, pharmacies and other settings.A government source with knowledge of the plan told The Canadian Press that Health Minister Christine Elliott will announce more details on Wednesday.The source said there will be a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit, though some stores might have different processes.Ontario provided free rapid antigen test kits at malls and liquor stores in December ahead of the holidays.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police confirmed the arrest of the main suspect wanted in connection with the attempted shooting of an ambulance driver on the 27th of January opposite the Panadura Base Hospital.Sri Lanka Police said 8 grams of heroin was seized from the possession of the 32-year-old suspect from Kuruppumulla on Tuesday (8) night.Detectives are planning on obtaining a detention order to detain and interrogate the suspect, after producing him to the Panadura Magistrate’s Court.Sri Lanka Police on Tuesday (8) also arrested a 51-year-old man in connection to the attempted shooting of an ambulance driver in Panadura, on the 27th of January 2022.The suspect was identified as the assistant to the ambulance driver who was the main target of the shooters.On Independence Day (4), the Kalutara Crimes Division arrested the ambulance driver who was the target of gunmen in Panadura.Sri Lanka Police said the ambulance driver was transferring an expectant mother to the Panadura Hospital when several people chased after him on four motorcycles and opened fire at him.However, the weapon used by the gunman had jammed.Police said the ambulance driver was arrested after it was revealed that he was transporting Heroin at the time of the incident.According to Police, the person who was driving the motorcycle and the person who assisted in the shooting were also arrested.The assistant to the ambulance driver had confessed to police that the ambulance was used to transport drugs on several occasions.In addition, another man was arrested from Panadura on Tuesday (8) for spying on the ambulance driver.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya on Wednesday (9) ordered to release of a Church worker, who was detained over the discovery of a hand grenade from All Saint’s Church in Borella.On the 2nd of February, the Additional Magistrate ordered to release of three other workers connected to the incident.Accordingly, all four church workers who were arrested and detained over the incident, have been released.Sri Lanka’s Attorney General had recommended that they be released given the fact that they were not involved in the incident.A week ago, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the court that it was revealed that the three other workers were not connected to the incident in any way, and the Attorney General had advised to release them.

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ANI reported. AIIMS Medical Superintendent DK Sharma in a letter today said in accordance with current ICMT's national guidelines, it has been decided to discontinue routine Covid-19 testing prior to inpatient hospitalisations (regular as well as daycare) and also prior to any minor or major surgical or interventional or non-interventional procedures and imaging in clinically asymptomatic patients.AIIMS, Delhi announces to discontinue routine COVID-19 testing prior to inpatient hospitalization and surgeries pic.twitter.com/R0wjcSdaFl

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Phillip Schofield has returned to This Morning after testing positive for coronavirus. The 59-year-old presenter had been forced to skip hosting This Morning and Dancing on Ice and admitted he was "bored out of his brain" while locked away in his home after testing positive for Covid seven days in a row.

Canada’s Meryeta O’Dine won the bronze medal in her Olympic debut at the Beijing Winter Games in women’s snowboard cross Wednesday.