Coronavirus

Protesters of COVID-19 restrictions, and supporters of Canadian truck drivers protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate cheer on a convoy of trucks on their way to Ottawa, on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg, Man., Tuesday January 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Ottawa police contact trucker convoy leaders, preparing for potential violence

Police estimate there could be up to 2,000 demonstrators, but the number is shifting quickly

 

Paramedics transfer a patient out of their ambulance to the emergency department at Michael Garron Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Monday, January 10, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

COVID infection rates peaking in some provinces, surging in others

Patient died while waiting for care in an Alberta emergency ward

 

FILE - Pharmacist Sima Manifar prepares a children’s dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at City of Lawrence’s “The Center,” which serves seniors, families and the community, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in Lawrence, Mass. Pfizer has begun a study comparing its original COVID-19 vaccine with doses specially tweaked to match the omicron variant. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech announced the study on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Pfizer begins testing omicron-matched COVID shots in adults

Original vaccines still offer good protection against severe illness and death

 

Fraser Health registered nurse Ramn Manan draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends immunocompromised kids between the ages of five and 11 be offered a third dose of an mRNA vaccine to protect them against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kids should get the COVID-19 shot, and an extra for the immunocompromised: NACI

Health advisory committee strengthening its endorsement of vaccination

Fraser Health registered nurse Ramn Manan draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends immunocompromised kids between the ages of five and 11 be offered a third dose of an mRNA vaccine to protect them against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
There were 307,205 deaths in Canada in 2020, representing a 7.7 per cent increase from 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

StatCan: COVID-19 led to more than half-a-year drop in life expectancy in 2020

National life expectancy was 81.7 years for those born in 2020

There were 307,205 deaths in Canada in 2020, representing a 7.7 per cent increase from 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Since many people with the virus are either not tested or asymptomatic, Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says the actual case numbers are much higher. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

Alberta has 2,722 new lab-confirmed COVID cases on Tuesday — but actual number much higher, says minister

Red Deer has 1,060 confirmed active COVID cases on Tuesday. In Alberta,…

Since many people with the virus are either not tested or asymptomatic, Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says the actual case numbers are much higher. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
Seven-year-old Mabel Limdao is held by her father William as Dr. Kevin Evelyn of UHN gives her a COVID-19 vaccine at a “Kids and Families Vaccine Clinic” operated by Black Creek Community Health Centre and hosted by Jane and Finch EarlyON child and Family Centre in the Jane and Finch Mall in Toronto. One member of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force says the timing of the Omicron outbreak in Canada may have hurt the uptake of pediatric vaccines to fight the virus, just when kids need them most. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

Kids’ vaccine rate still low despite rampant spread of Omicron variant

In the two months since approval, 51 per cent of kids between 5 and 11 have had at least one dose

Seven-year-old Mabel Limdao is held by her father William as Dr. Kevin Evelyn of UHN gives her a COVID-19 vaccine at a “Kids and Families Vaccine Clinic” operated by Black Creek Community Health Centre and hosted by Jane and Finch EarlyON child and Family Centre in the Jane and Finch Mall in Toronto. One member of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force says the timing of the Omicron outbreak in Canada may have hurt the uptake of pediatric vaccines to fight the virus, just when kids need them most. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
Supporters cheered on a procession of trucks on Sunday morning, Jan. 23, as they passed through Langley en route to Ottawa to protest a requirement that cross-border drivers must be vaccinated or quarantine for 14 days.. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Alberta-based Maverick party denies involvement in fund raising for ‘freedom convoy’

Governing council member and secretary organized fundraiser for truckers opposed to vaccine mandate

Supporters cheered on a procession of trucks on Sunday morning, Jan. 23, as they passed through Langley en route to Ottawa to protest a requirement that cross-border drivers must be vaccinated or quarantine for 14 days.. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Truckers and supporters raise their fists and hold a banner before a cross-country convoy destined for Ottawa to protest a federal vaccine mandate for truckers departed in Delta, B.C. on Sunday, January 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trucker convoy raises millions in funds as vaccine-hesitant supporters flock to cause

‘Freedom Convoy’ says it has raised more than $3.5 million from some 46,500 donors

Truckers and supporters raise their fists and hold a banner before a cross-country convoy destined for Ottawa to protest a federal vaccine mandate for truckers departed in Delta, B.C. on Sunday, January 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Truckers and supporters raise their fists and hold a banner before a cross-country convoy destined for Ottawa to protest a federal vaccine mandate for truckers departed in Delta, B.C. on Sunday, January 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian Trucking Alliance condemns protests by unvaccinated truckers

Website run by protest organizers says convoys of demonstrators are to hit the road in British Columbia

Truckers and supporters raise their fists and hold a banner before a cross-country convoy destined for Ottawa to protest a federal vaccine mandate for truckers departed in Delta, B.C. on Sunday, January 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A single vehicle heads into the U.S. at the quiet Peace Arch border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

All Canadians entering the U.S. must be vaccinated against COVID-19: DHS

Land border rules now align with those for air travel in the U.S.

A single vehicle heads into the U.S. at the quiet Peace Arch border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Transport trucks approach the Canada/USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Findings from an industry survey show that most in-house trucking fleets do not have a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, despite an impending inoculation requirement from the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rob Gurdebeke

Truckers should have done more to prepare for vaccine mandate, experts say

26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular trips across the Canada-U.S. border sidelined

Transport trucks approach the Canada/USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Findings from an industry survey show that most in-house trucking fleets do not have a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, despite an impending inoculation requirement from the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rob Gurdebeke
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a COVID-19 update press conference in Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Guidance on the home management of COVID-19 symptoms and decisions about who should self-isolate and for how long could dominate the Friday pandemic update with British Columbia's health minister and top doctor. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Change to shorter isolation period part of managing COVID-19 in B.C.: top doctor

British Columbia’s top doctor says the current wave of COVID-19 is causing…

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a COVID-19 update press conference in Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Guidance on the home management of COVID-19 symptoms and decisions about who should self-isolate and for how long could dominate the Friday pandemic update with British Columbia's health minister and top doctor. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
People leave a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Omicron may be peaking but COVID-19 isn’t done with us just yet: Tam

‘We need to plan for the different scenarios and just be ready’

People leave a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A young person is vaccinated at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic as the campaign to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 continues, in Montreal, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

More in-school clinics could be key to raising vaccination rates for kids: doctors

Health Canada says the national average of children with their first shot is less than half

A young person is vaccinated at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic as the campaign to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 continues, in Montreal, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
A health-care worker looks out of a window at Maison Herron, a long-term care home in the Montreal suburb of Dorval, on Saturday, April 11, 2020. The physical and mental health impacts of isolation periods are high for seniors living in care facilities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Advocates say lengthy COVID isolation for seniors in care may do more harm than good

Authorities asked to reconsider guidelines as to when residents must isolate

A health-care worker looks out of a window at Maison Herron, a long-term care home in the Montreal suburb of Dorval, on Saturday, April 11, 2020. The physical and mental health impacts of isolation periods are high for seniors living in care facilities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A bottle containing the drug remdesivir is held by a health worker at the Institute of Infectology of Kenezy Gyula Teaching Hospital of the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a “modest but significant effect” on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Zsolt Czegledi/MTI via AP)

Officials optimistic treatments will help ease COVID strain on Canada’s health system

Some provinces hopeful fifth pandemic wave peaking or will soon

A bottle containing the drug remdesivir is held by a health worker at the Institute of Infectology of Kenezy Gyula Teaching Hospital of the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a “modest but significant effect” on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Zsolt Czegledi/MTI via AP)
People wait in line at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. The Omicron-fuelled fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be peaking in some provinces, while others say the worst is likely still to come. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

COVID-19 antiviral pill on its way across Canada, as some hospitalizations dip

Canada has purchased one million courses of Paxlovid for delivery this year

People wait in line at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. The Omicron-fuelled fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be peaking in some provinces, while others say the worst is likely still to come. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Chief public health officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Dec. 22, 2020. Tam appeared Tuesday at the House of Commons health committee to answer questions from MPs on the COVID-19 situation in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Latest research shows Omicron infectious up to 10 days: Tam

Canada still recommends people infected with COVID-19 isolate for at least 10 days

Chief public health officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Dec. 22, 2020. Tam appeared Tuesday at the House of Commons health committee to answer questions from MPs on the COVID-19 situation in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A shipment of Pfizer’s antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, sits on a pallet on arrival at Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

A Paxlovid primer: what to know about the new oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19

Here are some answers about the new COVID anti-viral treatment just approved for use in Canada

A shipment of Pfizer’s antiviral COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, sits on a pallet on arrival at Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)