With 150% jump in 2020, Bitcoin stakes its claim as pandemic refuge for brave

Toronto’s northwest.The pair of recent postgraduates show up here several times a week, part of a more than 100-kilometre round trip to six community sites where they collect wastewater samples to test for COVID-19 levels.Those samples — and others collected at major treatment facilities in the east and west ends of Toronto and several downtown sites — are key to tracking the rise and fall of infection rates, which are no longer accurately recorded by individual testing. Toronto should drop COVID-19 mask mandate when province does, city’s top doctor says “There’s always a lovely aroma with wastewater,” Johnston said as she lifts the cover of the sampler box Toronto Water installed next to the manhole and pulls out one of the bottles it had partially filled over a recent 24-hour period.Winter’s frozen temperatures can make it more difficult to get enough samples for a composite, says the 26-year-old, who has worked with her alma mater X University (formerly Ryerson University, currently in the midst of a name change) on the project for almost a year.On this visit, the site could only offer a one-off “grab sample” for the pair to send back to the laboratory for processing.The university (along with the University of Toronto) teamed up with the province, the city’s Toronto Public Health and Toronto Water, and Unity Health’s St.

COVID-19 outbreaks in areas of concern, the lowest total since last November.Then, the list also included businesses and schools, among other places, whereas now it is just areas of concern, which includes hospitals, retirement homes and congregate settings. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 Outbreaks were declared over at Grand River Hospital and in a congregate setting, which left the area with three outbreaks at hospitals and one in a congregate setting.The area’s three hospitals continue to see a decline in COVID-19 patients as there are now 21, including 10 that need intensive care.

The world's COVID-19 cases declined last week for the fifth week in a row, but hot spots remain in a handful of countries, especially in Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest weekly update.

LOS ANGELES - Get ready! America’s favorite guessing game "The Masked Singer" is set to kick off Wednesday, and FOX is giving an exclusive first look at the new season.According to the sneak peek video released by FOX, the seventh season will feature a "new twist." Three new teams will battle it out: The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly — which is also the season’s new slogan.RELATED: ‘The Masked Singer’: Nick Cannon and Ken Jeong discuss working on FOX show togetherThis time around, a whopping 15 mystery celebrities will join the show and sing their hearts out for a chance to win the coveted "The Masked Singer" Trophy.And, once again, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger will grace the show as panelists, vying for the chance to win the Golden Ear Trophy."You can expect more shocking reveals, more emotional confessions, more incredible performances right before your beautiful eyes," the panelists said in the video teaser. McTerrier in the premiere episode of THE MASKED SINGER airing Wed. March 9 on FOX.

Doug Ford has lifted the provincial mask requirements, that does not mean they will completely disappear in Waterloo Region as there are also local face-covering bylaws in effect.On Wednesday, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, announced that masks will no longer be required in most social settings such as restaurants, gyms, large event spaces and even schools.

Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) says people can expect to be required to continue to wear masks in hospital settings “for some time,” despite the announcement that the mandate will be lifted in most public spaces across the provinceIn a statement issued Wednesday, OHA president and CEO Anthony Dale said this is a “patient safety measure.”Dale said hospitals in Ontario will be “adopting and implementing certain protective measures, including requirements related to personal protective equipment and health care worker vaccination, into their own health and safety policies and procedures.” Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 The statement comes after the province announced it would be lifting the COVID-19 mask mandate in many indoor public settings beginning March 21.According to the province, while masking requirements will be removed “in most places” later this month, the mandate will remain in place in some settings, including on public transit, in long-term care facilities in retirement homes and other health-care settings, in congregate care settings, in shelters and in jails.The province’s plan says masking requirements in “all remaining settings” will be removed on April 27.However, the plan released by the Ford government on Wednesday said that as directives are revoked, “individual organizations will continue to have the authority to keep requirements in place.”In the statement Wednesday, Dale said hospitals are “committed to protecting patients, staff and visitors, and ensuring safety is a top priority.”“The hospital sector routinely establishes policies and requirements regarding infection prevention and control, personal protective equipment, and

COVID-19 public health measures, including mandatory masks and workplace vaccination policies, by the end of April. Here’s a look at what’s changing and when:Close contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19 infections or symptoms don’t need to isolate if the person lives outside their household.

Police in Pennsylvania said a man impersonated a Walmart employee to steal an expensive VR headset.

LOS ANGELES - A cow made its way onto the 210 Freeway in the Lake View Terrace area Wednesday afternoon. SkyFOX was live over the scene as Animal Control and California Highway Patrol worked to corral the animal to safety.A cow made its way onto the 210 Freeway Wednesday afternoon in the Lakeview Terrace area.

NEW DELHI :

Cognitive impairment was more common among COVID-19 patients 60 years and older—particularly those with severe illness—released from hospitals in Wuhan, China, than among their uninfected peers, according to a 1-year follow-up study yesterday in JAMA Neurology.

Continuing the corticosteroid dexamethasone after hospital release didn't benefit COVID-19 patients who didn't complete the 10-day drug regimen during their stay, finds a study published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.Kaiser Permanente Southern California researchers studied the conti

Rates of Covid-19 have gone up in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester for the second day in a row.

most popular baby names of 2022?Names.org has revealed its predictions for this year — and there are definitely a few surprises. According to the database company, its predictions have proven to be some of the most accurate of name predictions online."From 2018 to 2020, 95% of our predictions top 10 lists were in the actual top 10 once official numbers were released. Official numbers for 2021 are not yet available to compare to our predictions last year," the company wrote. Photo of baby (Credit: DIDIER PALLAGES/AFP via Getty Images) The results are based on findings using the Social Security Administration data on births in 2020 (the most recent year released) and data found from the United States Census Bureau. 1.) Liam 2.) Noah3.) Oliver4) Elijah5.) William6.) James7.) Benjamin8.) Henry9.) Lucas10.) AlexanderThe name Liam tops the names list for boys — and the organization predicts that 18,960 babies will be named Liam in 2022.

PHILADELPHIA - A rideshare driver was shot in Fairmount on Wednesday morning before driving to police headquarters to escape the gunfire, police say.According to authorities, the incident happened just after 3 a.m. in the area of North 24th and Poplar Streets.Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small says as officers were responding, a 2013 GMC SUV showed up at the new police headquarters at North 15th and Callowhill Streets.Small says the 42-year-old driver had a graze wound on his back and officers took him to the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. He was allegedly waiting for a passenger when a white Chevy Impala with dark rims and tinted windows began following him and firing shots. Police say the driver's car was hit 12 times by gunfire, with three bullet holes in the front windshield and nine on the passenger side.The motive is unknown at this time, according to police.Authorities believe the suspects in the white Chevy Impala may be connected to an incident at a Sunoco convenience store two blocks away.The convenience store clerk allegedly told police he got into an altercation with men who he believed were going to steal.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) walks back to the sidelines after Indy is forced to punt during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 9, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL (Photo by I WASHINGTON - Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is heading back to the NFC East, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.The former #2 overall pick has reportedly been traded to the Washington Commanders after a single season with the Indianapolis Colts. Schefter reports that the Commanders will receive Wentz and a 2022 second-round pick in the deal. In return, the Colts will receive a second and third round pick in 2022, and a third round pick in 2023 that can become a second round pick if Wentz plays 70% of the team’s games.The Eagles sent Wentz to the Colts following a tumultuous final season in Philadelphia where he was supplanted as the starter by Jalen Hurts. The trade to Indianapolis brought the Eagles draft picks in return, including a first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

42 last Wednesday, also with five or fewer in adult critical care. LHSC says five or fewer of its COVID-19 inpatients are in Children’s Hospital, while zero are in pediatric critical care. Last week, there were five or fewer COVID inpatients in Children’s Hospital with five or fewer in pediatric critical care.

Linsey Godfrey is so relieved to finally have a grasp on her mental health.

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is transitioning from daily to weekly COVID-19 data reporting effective immediately. Case counts and vaccination updates will be published on the DOH COVID-19 dashboard every Wednesday beginning March 16.“Our decisions have always been based on trends, not single day counts. There is greater focus now on weekly hospital admissions, weekly hospital occupancy, and weekly case counts when calculating the current community levels of COVID-19.

New York (News 1st); New Fortress Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NFE) issued a statement following a favorable ruling on Friday, March 4, by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.Having considered the merits of all the fundamental rights petitions filed seeking to halt NFE’s development of natural gas power solutions in Sri Lanka, the Court fully dismissed the petitions without further hearing.NFE and The Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (“GOSL”) executed a definitive agreement in September 2021 whereby NFE will invest in energy infrastructure in Sri Lanka and develop a new LNG Terminal off the coast of Colombo.NFE will have gas supply rights to the Kerawalapitya Power Complex and will initially provide GOSL an estimated 1.2 million gallons per day of LNG (~ 35,000 MMBtu) to supply both the currently operational 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant and an additional 350 MW (the Sobadanavi Power Plant) which is expected to commence operations in 2023.

COVID-19 relief money to buy a US$57,000 Pokémon trading card.Vinath Oudomsine of Dublin, Ga., pleaded guilty in October to a single count of wire fraud after he was accused of submitting false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration last year when he applied for a coronavirus relief loan for an “entertainment services” business he claimed to own.

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr.

The Ontario government said on Wednesday that it will be lifting the mask mandate in many indoor public settings on March 21. Dr.

STRATFORD, N.J. - Three people are facing charges after a Camden County teenager was found with a dog shock collar around her neck, according to Stratford police. Authorities say the 13-year-old girl's neighbor reported the incident on March 1. When officers responded, they observed markings on the teen's neck consistent with wearing the collar, police say. The teen was transported to Jefferson Hospital while detectives interviewed her family, police say. She told detectives that a relative put the collar around her neck and shocked her multiple times before, police say. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES The New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency removed the teen from the Camden County home after she was released from the hospital, according to authorities. Police say the teen's guardian said she did not know about the shock collar or that the teen ran away to the neighbor's house.During a forensic interview, the teen told detectives a relative first used the dog shock collar on her when she was nine, police say. According to authorities, the teen also told detectives the shock collar was sometimes used as a form of punishment and that she was deprived of food and clothing at times. Police say a witness who also lives at the same residence said they observed the shock collar used as a form of punishment and saw the teen be deprived of amenities numerous times. Three of the teen's relatives face several charges, including aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to Stratford Police.

PHILADELPHIA - Officers with the Philadelphia Police Department are investigating a shooting and subsequent crash on February 23.According to police, shots were fired just before 8:00 p.m.

SAN DIEGO - California state regulators conducted an investigation at a San Diego preschool and privately interviewed children as young as 2 without their parents’ consent about their masking practices.Officials with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) visited all three locations of Aspen Leaf Preschool in January after receiving a complaint that the school was not enforcing the state’s mask mandate, according to the CDSS’ response to a complaint by the preschool’s owner, Howard Wu.According to the CDSS letter, which Wu shared with Fox News Digital, officials with the agency’s Community Care Licensing Division entered the three preschool locations on Jan. 19, separated the children from their teachers and interviewed them privately about their masking practices.In his complaint to the agency, Wu described the investigation as a "simultaneous, multi-school raid" that resulted in "unnecessary and inappropriate child interviews."SUGGESTED: Elementary student wearing N95 mask outdoors passed out in extreme heat, parents say"Every family we heard from after the inspections were furious about the interviews," Wu told Fox News Digital.

Speaking in Brantford, Ont. on Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford discussed the upcoming announcement from Ontario’s top doctor, Dr.

province’s announcement to lift mask mandates in many indoor public settings, Guelph’s top doctor says she will lift her own masking orders on March 21.Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health was the first in Ontario to mandate face coverings in all indoor public settings in June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, four months before a provincewide mandate was established. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 Medical officer of health Dr.

Clayton Fire Chief John Pridemore died on Marh 8 at Christiana Hospital.  CLAYTON, Del. - A Delaware volunteer fire company says its chief has died a day after he was injured in a 25-foot fall at the firehouse. The Clayton Fire Company announced that Chief John Pridemore died Tuesday at Christiana Hospital.The News Journal reports that fire company spokesman Kevin Wilson said Pridemore was on the scissor lift cleaning in the new addition at the firehouse when the automatic garage doors opened. Wilson says a door knocked over the scissor lift and Pridemore hit his head on the bumper of a firetruck as he fell. Wilson says fire companies in Delaware and Maryland will cover the Clayton fire district temporarily to allow members to decompress and prepare for the funeral.According to the Clayton Fire Company, Pridemore joined in January 1991 as a way to serve the community he lived in. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, two children, Amanda and Michael and his granddaughter Sadie. Pridemore's family has asked that donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company in his memory. ___MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

CHERRY HILL, N.J. - The Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill closed Wednesday morning after several security incidents. On Tuesday at 8:40 a.m., police and the FBI responded to the center for the report of a bomb threat, authorities say. Cherry Hill police say the building was evacuated and no explosives were found. The facility reopened at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. "Safety and security of our children and other members are our primary concern," said Oded Kraus the Director of Katz JCC.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The protests and riots in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis have been a divisive topic in Minnesota, but one thing people of all political stripes have largely agreed on is the city didn't get its response right, from the loss of the third precinct and the failure to protect small business on Lake Street, to the hundreds of peaceful protesters who were injured by police projectiles.    Tuesday, the Minneapolis City Council received an after-action report on the city's response conducted by an independent firm with deep law enforcement experience that confirmed for many the extent of the city's failure and also pointed to its causes.Here are three key takeaways:During the more than two-hour-long meeting, the reports two presenters, Chad McGinty and Bob Boehmer, both retired veteran officers who now work for the consulting firm Jensen Hughes, returned again and again to a common theme: the breakdown in internal communication and the chain of command that occurred within the city and the police department as officials struggled to respond to the unprecedented level of protests, and eventually riots, that overtook the city.In a dispassionate tone, McGinty and Boehmer described how officers in the field became disconnected from command staff and left without clear guidance, while city leaders failed to update their staff or the community as the situation worsened.In the Q&A section, Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison pressed for detail.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A fiercely-debated, Republican-led education reform bill in Florida that would forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade — among other reforms in public schools — is headed to the governor's desk. Florida’s House Bill 1557, officially called the "Parental Rights in Education" bill, has received a wave of criticism from Democrats and LGBTQ advocates — who have often referred to it as the "Don’t Say Gay" bill. Statewide, the bill has sparked a swell of protests and student walkouts. The measure passed 22-17 in the state Senate on Tuesday with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A Russian attack severely damaged a children's hospital and maternity ward in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday, as citizens trying to escape shelling on the outskirts of Kyiv streamed toward the capital amid warnings from the West that Moscow’s invasion is about to take a more brutal and indiscriminate turn.The ground shook more than a mile away when a series of blasts slammed into the Mariupol complex, blowing out windows and ripping away much of the front of one building. Police and soldiers rushed to scene to evacuate victims, carrying out a heavily pregnant and bleeding woman on a stretcher.Another woman wailed as she clutched her child.

Remaining Covid travel restrictions could be scrapped in the UK ‘within days’, it has been reported.

Doug Ford said it’s time to “move on” as Ontario announced Wednesday that its mask mandate would be lifted for most public settings on March 21.Ford made the comments at a press conference shortly before Ontario chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore officially announced the move.“We’re going to move forward cautiously and if someone wants to keep them on, God bless ’em.

COVID-19-positive or are experiencing symptoms.Officials said the new guidance comes into effect on Wednesday.For non-household contacts, no isolation is required. However, for 10 days after exposure these contacts should self-monitor for symptoms, wear a mask, not visit anyone with a high risk of illness and not attend or work in a high-risk setting.

COVID-19 on Wednesday as the number of patients hospitalized with the disease dropped by 30.Pandemic-related hospitalizations across the province totalled 1,222. This comes after 67 patients were admitted, while 97 left in the last day.Intensive care unit cases decreased by eight, for a total of 69.The province recorded 1,426 novel coronavirus infections, though this only takes into account PCR testing done at government-run sites — which is limited to high-risk groups.

Delhi on Wednesday reported 208 new Covid-19 cases, significantly lower than than a few days ago. Delhi now has 985 active Covid-19 cases, according to the official health bulletin. 

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Police are searching for Dominick Oliveira of Bethlehem Township.  BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A search is underway for a Bethlehem Township man wanted by police. Authorities say 47-year-old Dominick Oliveira is wanted for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual assault, and other offenses. Oliveira is known to frequent Bethlehem and Allentown, police say. Police are also searching for a white 2007 Dodge Sprinter and a silver 1999 Honda Accord associated with Oliveira.

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Miami, The Home Depot, Bounty, Charmin products display. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The latest consumer product to increase prices by shrinking the size of the item is toilet paper.Consumer watchdogs have spotted that while prices are rising, the sizes of products are getting smaller, according to the New York Post.Toilet paper joins the list of product sizes getting smaller ranging from detergent to snack items and even chicken nugget orders.Procter & Gamble Co.

Bensalem Township police say officers seized 26 pounds of drugs and several other items.  BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Police have made an arrest after seizing about $70,000 worth of drugs from a Bensalem Township home. According to police, a search warrant was executed at 104 B Konefal Street. Authorities say 26 pounds of marijuana, THC, Psilocybin edibles, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking were discovered. RELATED: Bensalem Township man hid in NH woman's attic, took photos of her sleepingAdditionally, $21,000 worth of cash, a Yamaha motorcycle and a Rolex were also discovered, according to police. The estimated street value of the drugs is more than $70,000, police say. Police arrested 37-year-old Clinton Douglas and charged him with possession with intent to deliver and other related charges. 37-year-old Clinton Douglas has been charged with posession with intent to deliver and related charges.  MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that Covid-19 is still having a big impact on emergency departments.

Philadelphia Police Cruiser PHILADELPHIA - Police say they have established a pattern based on the victims, descriptions of the offenders and methods used to commit the crimes. According to police, three men entered a business at 6200 N. Broad Street at 4:00 a.m.

BALTIMORE - The first person to receive a heart transplant from a pig has died, two months after the groundbreaking experiment, the Maryland hospital that performed the surgery announced Wednesday.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherDavid Bennett, 57, died Tuesday at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Doctors didn't give an exact cause of death, saying only that his condition had begun deteriorating several days earlier.Bennett's son praised the hospital for offering the last-ditch experiment, saying the family hoped it would help further efforts to end the organ shortage."We are grateful for every innovative moment, every crazy dream, every sleepless night that went into this historic effort," David Bennett Jr.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Director Ryan Coogler attends the 19th Annual AFI Awards at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI) ATLANTA - Confusion at an Atlanta Bank of America led to "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler mistakenly in handcuffs. The incident reportedly happened on Jan. 7 at on W.

Snakes in bags (left) and Horned lizards (right) found during a smuggling attempt at the San Diego border. Photo: U.S.