Good for you. Sounded like a real arse kicker. Glad you’re getting through this.
COVID-19 'Pandemic'
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U.S. advises against travel to Canada as COVID hospitalizations hit critical levels
Author of the article:
Canadian Press
Canadian Press
David Shepardson
Publishing date:
Jan 10, 2022 • 9 hours ago • 4 minute read •
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Travellers walk past a "Mandatory COVID-19 Testing" sign at Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic of Toronto, Dec. 18, 2021.
Travellers walk past a "Mandatory COVID-19 Testing" sign at Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic of Toronto, Dec. 18, 2021. Photo by Carlo Allegri /REUTERS
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Children in Alberta and British Columbia returned to the classroom Monday as surging COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals in several provinces and prompted the United States to advise its citizens to “avoid travel” to Canada.
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Quebec reported an all-time high of 2,554 patients in hospital with COVID-19, a rise of 118 from the previous day’s record of 2,436. Intensive care cases ticked down by nine for a total of 248.
The province also reported 26 more deaths from the disease, and 10,573 new COVID-19 infections, although PCR tests are reserved for certain high-risk groups. Quebec said nearly 20 per cent of tests came back positive.
Quebec also opened up appointments for third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those aged 40 and older, as the province prepares to expand eligibility to all adults aged 18 and up next week.
In Ontario, there were 2,467 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 438 patients in intensive care, Health Minister Christine Elliott said, noting that not all hospitals report data from the weekend.
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The province reported 9,706 new COVID-19 cases, but Public Health Ontario has qualified that this may be an undercount because of a policy making tests less accessible. The illness claimed 12 more lives, provincial officials said.
The rampant spread of the Omicron variant has stoked alarm across the border, where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a fresh Level 4 “avoid travel” advisory for Canada, citing a “very high” level of COVID-19 in the country and urging anyone who must go to be fully vaccinated.
That quickly prompted the State Department to revise its travel advisory, which had been at Level 3, “reconsider travel,” to upgrade its advice to Level 4: “Do not travel to Canada due to COVID-19.”
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In mid-December, the Canadian government issued its own advisory, warning residents against all non-essential international travel due to Omicron.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with provincial and territorial leaders on Monday afternoon to discuss the mounting health crisis posed by the variant.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford planned to raise the provinces’ plea for more health-care funds with the prime minister, asking Ottawa to increase its annual share of spending from 22 per cent to 35 per cent, to about $71 billion.
The federal government has committed to a 4.8 per cent increase, bringing the total for 2022-23 to about $45 billion.
A federal official said Trudeau assured premiers that the federal government will do all it can to help provinces and territories cope with the surge.
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He assured them that there are enough vaccine doses available for all eligible Canadians to receive third booster shots, as well as for children. And he reiterated that 140 million rapid tests will be delivered to them this month, although he offered no specific schedule.
The official, who spoke on background, said Trudeau also emphasized the need to promote support programs, such as the federal wage subsidy, to help individuals and businesses survive the latest lockdowns and public health restrictions.
Many provinces have delayed the return to in-person schooling as part of renewed efforts to rein in soaring case counts.
But the two westernmost provinces moved ahead with reopening classrooms on Monday, with officials arguing virtual learning presents its own risks to youth mental health.
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British Columbia’s top doctor has said the return to school is “essential” for the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of children, and told parents that safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the risks posed by Omicron.
Dr. Bonnie Henry acknowledged Friday that some families may feel uneasy about the move, but maintained that students are safer in the classroom than in some of the “unstructured settings that children are in outside of the school environment.”
B.C. reported 6,966 new cases over a three-day period on Monday and seven more deaths.
While some parents in Alberta said they’re relieved that students in kindergarten to Grade 12 are returning to classes after an extended holiday break, many said they were concerned and frustrated about unclear instructions from the provincial government on how it plans to contain the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms.
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The Calgary Board of Education and Edmonton Public Schools said the biggest challenge remains finding consistent staffing as some schools resumed without teachers in classrooms and at least two in Calgary kicked off the winter semester with online learning.
Edmonton Public, the second-largest school district in Alberta with more than 105,000 students, said there were 454 teachers and 252 educational assistants absent Monday.
Alberta also announced Monday that in order to make sure high-risk cases get timely results from PCR tests, only those in high-risk situations will get them, including continuing care residents and front-line health-care workers.
The province reported 17,000 new cases of COVID-19 over the last three days and has 635 people in hospital with the virus.
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Manitoba saw the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 climb to 378, up 81 from Friday, including 38 people in intensive care. The province also reported 19 virus-related deaths.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a swell of COVID-19 infections has overwhelmed its testing capacities in the past two weeks, forcing officials to send more than 6,635 swabs to labs in Winnipeg and Toronto between Dec. 29 and Jan. 6, said Health Minister John Haggie, who is recovering from the illness.
In addition to the 680 positive tests analyzed in outside labs, health officials said 455 new cases have been detected since Sunday, for a total of 1,135 cases reported Monday.
— With files from Paola Loriggio in Toronto and James McCarten in Washington.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:
Canadian Press
Canadian Press
David Shepardson
Publishing date:
Jan 10, 2022 • 9 hours ago • 4 minute read •
Join the conversation
Travellers walk past a "Mandatory COVID-19 Testing" sign at Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic of Toronto, Dec. 18, 2021.
Travellers walk past a "Mandatory COVID-19 Testing" sign at Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic of Toronto, Dec. 18, 2021. Photo by Carlo Allegri /REUTERS
Article content
Children in Alberta and British Columbia returned to the classroom Monday as surging COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals in several provinces and prompted the United States to advise its citizens to “avoid travel” to Canada.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Quebec reported an all-time high of 2,554 patients in hospital with COVID-19, a rise of 118 from the previous day’s record of 2,436. Intensive care cases ticked down by nine for a total of 248.
The province also reported 26 more deaths from the disease, and 10,573 new COVID-19 infections, although PCR tests are reserved for certain high-risk groups. Quebec said nearly 20 per cent of tests came back positive.
Quebec also opened up appointments for third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those aged 40 and older, as the province prepares to expand eligibility to all adults aged 18 and up next week.
In Ontario, there were 2,467 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 438 patients in intensive care, Health Minister Christine Elliott said, noting that not all hospitals report data from the weekend.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
The province reported 9,706 new COVID-19 cases, but Public Health Ontario has qualified that this may be an undercount because of a policy making tests less accessible. The illness claimed 12 more lives, provincial officials said.
The rampant spread of the Omicron variant has stoked alarm across the border, where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a fresh Level 4 “avoid travel” advisory for Canada, citing a “very high” level of COVID-19 in the country and urging anyone who must go to be fully vaccinated.
That quickly prompted the State Department to revise its travel advisory, which had been at Level 3, “reconsider travel,” to upgrade its advice to Level 4: “Do not travel to Canada due to COVID-19.”
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
In mid-December, the Canadian government issued its own advisory, warning residents against all non-essential international travel due to Omicron.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with provincial and territorial leaders on Monday afternoon to discuss the mounting health crisis posed by the variant.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford planned to raise the provinces’ plea for more health-care funds with the prime minister, asking Ottawa to increase its annual share of spending from 22 per cent to 35 per cent, to about $71 billion.
The federal government has committed to a 4.8 per cent increase, bringing the total for 2022-23 to about $45 billion.
A federal official said Trudeau assured premiers that the federal government will do all it can to help provinces and territories cope with the surge.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
He assured them that there are enough vaccine doses available for all eligible Canadians to receive third booster shots, as well as for children. And he reiterated that 140 million rapid tests will be delivered to them this month, although he offered no specific schedule.
The official, who spoke on background, said Trudeau also emphasized the need to promote support programs, such as the federal wage subsidy, to help individuals and businesses survive the latest lockdowns and public health restrictions.
Many provinces have delayed the return to in-person schooling as part of renewed efforts to rein in soaring case counts.
But the two westernmost provinces moved ahead with reopening classrooms on Monday, with officials arguing virtual learning presents its own risks to youth mental health.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
British Columbia’s top doctor has said the return to school is “essential” for the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of children, and told parents that safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the risks posed by Omicron.
Dr. Bonnie Henry acknowledged Friday that some families may feel uneasy about the move, but maintained that students are safer in the classroom than in some of the “unstructured settings that children are in outside of the school environment.”
B.C. reported 6,966 new cases over a three-day period on Monday and seven more deaths.
While some parents in Alberta said they’re relieved that students in kindergarten to Grade 12 are returning to classes after an extended holiday break, many said they were concerned and frustrated about unclear instructions from the provincial government on how it plans to contain the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
The Calgary Board of Education and Edmonton Public Schools said the biggest challenge remains finding consistent staffing as some schools resumed without teachers in classrooms and at least two in Calgary kicked off the winter semester with online learning.
Edmonton Public, the second-largest school district in Alberta with more than 105,000 students, said there were 454 teachers and 252 educational assistants absent Monday.
Alberta also announced Monday that in order to make sure high-risk cases get timely results from PCR tests, only those in high-risk situations will get them, including continuing care residents and front-line health-care workers.
The province reported 17,000 new cases of COVID-19 over the last three days and has 635 people in hospital with the virus.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Manitoba saw the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 climb to 378, up 81 from Friday, including 38 people in intensive care. The province also reported 19 virus-related deaths.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a swell of COVID-19 infections has overwhelmed its testing capacities in the past two weeks, forcing officials to send more than 6,635 swabs to labs in Winnipeg and Toronto between Dec. 29 and Jan. 6, said Health Minister John Haggie, who is recovering from the illness.
In addition to the 680 positive tests analyzed in outside labs, health officials said 455 new cases have been detected since Sunday, for a total of 1,135 cases reported Monday.
— With files from Paola Loriggio in Toronto and James McCarten in Washington.
U.S. advises against travel to Canada as COVID hospitalizations hit critical levels
Children in Alberta and British Columbia returned to the classroom Monday as surging COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals in several provinces and…
'Deltacron' is a new COVID-19 strain and not a lab error: Cypriot scientist
Deltacron infection is higher among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 than among non-hospitalized patients, Kostrikis said
Author of the article:
Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Georgios Georgiou
Publishing date:
Jan 10, 2022 • 18 hours ago • 1 minute read •
37 Comments
This handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health shows a transmission electron microscopic image that shows SARS-CoV-2also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19.
This handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health shows a transmission electron microscopic image that shows SARS-CoV-2also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19. Photo by HANDOUT /National Institutes of Health/AF
Article content
A Cypriot scientist defended his assertion that a new strain of COVID-19 exists that combines characteristics of the delta and omicron variants.
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Other scientists have speculated that Leonidos Kostrikis’s findings are a result of laboratory contamination. But he told Bloomberg in an emailed statement Sunday that the cases he has identified “indicate an evolutionary pressure to an ancestral strain to acquire these mutations and not a result of a single recombination event.”
Deltacron infection is higher among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 than among non-hospitalized patients, so that rules out the contamination hypothesis, said Kostrikis, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus and head of the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology.
What’s more, the samples were processed in multiple sequencing procedures in more than one country. And at least one sequence from Israel deposited in a global database exhibits genetic characteristics of deltacron, he said.
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“These findings refute the undocumented statements that deltacron is a result of a technical error,” Kostrikis said.
Viral genes determine the forms of proteins that perform a number of specific tasks. Omicron and delta each have mutations in the spike protein that affect their ability to enter human cells, with omicron becoming more infectious as a result.
Recombinant forms of viruses can arise when there are multiple variants of a pathogen circulating, said Nick Loman, a microbial genomics professor at England’s University of Birmingham who studies the coronavirus. While a recombinant form of delta and omicron wouldn’t be a complete surprise, the finding from Cyprus is more likely a “technical artifact” that arose in the process of sequencing the viral genome, he said.
Cypriot Health Minister Michael Hadjipantela said Sunday that the new variant isn’t of concern, and more details will be given at a news conference this week, Philenews reported.
torontosun.com
Deltacron infection is higher among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 than among non-hospitalized patients, Kostrikis said
Author of the article:
Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Georgios Georgiou
Publishing date:
Jan 10, 2022 • 18 hours ago • 1 minute read •
37 Comments
This handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health shows a transmission electron microscopic image that shows SARS-CoV-2also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19.
This handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health shows a transmission electron microscopic image that shows SARS-CoV-2also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19. Photo by HANDOUT /National Institutes of Health/AF
Article content
A Cypriot scientist defended his assertion that a new strain of COVID-19 exists that combines characteristics of the delta and omicron variants.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Other scientists have speculated that Leonidos Kostrikis’s findings are a result of laboratory contamination. But he told Bloomberg in an emailed statement Sunday that the cases he has identified “indicate an evolutionary pressure to an ancestral strain to acquire these mutations and not a result of a single recombination event.”
Deltacron infection is higher among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 than among non-hospitalized patients, so that rules out the contamination hypothesis, said Kostrikis, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus and head of the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology.
What’s more, the samples were processed in multiple sequencing procedures in more than one country. And at least one sequence from Israel deposited in a global database exhibits genetic characteristics of deltacron, he said.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
“These findings refute the undocumented statements that deltacron is a result of a technical error,” Kostrikis said.
Viral genes determine the forms of proteins that perform a number of specific tasks. Omicron and delta each have mutations in the spike protein that affect their ability to enter human cells, with omicron becoming more infectious as a result.
Recombinant forms of viruses can arise when there are multiple variants of a pathogen circulating, said Nick Loman, a microbial genomics professor at England’s University of Birmingham who studies the coronavirus. While a recombinant form of delta and omicron wouldn’t be a complete surprise, the finding from Cyprus is more likely a “technical artifact” that arose in the process of sequencing the viral genome, he said.
Cypriot Health Minister Michael Hadjipantela said Sunday that the new variant isn’t of concern, and more details will be given at a news conference this week, Philenews reported.
'Deltacron' is a new COVID-19 strain and not a lab error: Cypriot scientist
Deltacron infection is higher among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 than among non-hospitalized patients, Kostrikis said
U.K. PM's staff invited to 'bring your own booze' party during lockdown
Author of the article:
Reuters
Reuters
Publishing date:
Jan 10, 2022 • 9 hours ago • 3 minute read •
Join the conversation
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks outside Downing Street in London, Britain, December 15, 2021.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks outside Downing Street in London, Britain, December 15, 2021. Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS /REUTERS
Article content
LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s staff were invited to a “bring your own booze” party in the garden of his Downing Street residence during the first nationwide coronavirus lockdown in 2020, according to a leaked email seen by broadcaster ITV.
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Johnson, who won a landslide victory in a 2019 election, has faced a barrage of criticism over allegations that there were parties in breach of COVID-19 rules in government offices, including his own.
Around 40 staff gathered in the garden for the drinks party, including Johnson and his wife Carrie, ITV said, even though at the time social mixing between households was limited to two people outdoors.
An email was sent by the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds to over 100 employees in Downing Street on May 20, 2020, ITV said. The leaked email asked them to bring alcohol to the party and to “make the most of the lovely weather.”
“After what has been an incredibly busy period it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening,” Reynolds said in the email. “Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!”
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Johnson’ office declined to comment.
At the time, schools were shut to most pupils, and pubs and restaurants were closed, with strict controls on social mixing. Two people from different households were allowed to meet outdoors but only if they maintained a distance of 2 metres.
‘OUTRAGEOUS’
Johnson will be under pressure to explain his own role in the gathering. His premiership has been badly tarnished by controversies in recent months, leading to warnings from some of his lawmakers that he could face a leadership challenge.
The opposition Labour Party accused Johnson of having “no regard for the rules he puts in place for the rest of us.” The Scottish National Party called the email “utterly outrageous.”
London’s police, which previously declined to investigate claims of government officials gathering during the national lockdowns, said on Monday it was in contact with the Cabinet Office after “widespread reporting” of breaches of health protection laws in Downing Street.
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A senior government official, Sue Gray, is investigating allegations that at least five parties were held in government departments last year during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Johnson’s former chief adviser Dominic Cummings claimed last week that a drinks party had been held in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 despite warnings by him that it was against the rules.
When the prime minister was asked earlier on Monday if he and Carrie Johnson had attended the event, he declined to answer, saying: “All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray.”
The allegations of officials holding events in breach of the government’s own lockdown rules, including a Christmas party, have dismayed voters who were told by the government to carefully stick to social distancing rules.
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Johnson, 57, has faced criticism in recent months over his handling of a sleaze scandal, the awarding of lucrative COVID contracts, the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat and a claim he intervened to ensure pets were evacuated from Kabul during the chaotic Western withdrawal in August.
Johnson’s Conservatives have lost their lead in opinion polls over the Labour Party and last month suffered an election defeat in a historic stronghold, stepping up pressure from his own lawmakers to reform his team of advisers.
Britain’s official death toll from the pandemic rose above 150,000 on Saturday, the second highest in absolute terms in Europe, behind only Russia’s.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:
Reuters
Reuters
Publishing date:
Jan 10, 2022 • 9 hours ago • 3 minute read •
Join the conversation
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks outside Downing Street in London, Britain, December 15, 2021.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks outside Downing Street in London, Britain, December 15, 2021. Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS /REUTERS
Article content
LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s staff were invited to a “bring your own booze” party in the garden of his Downing Street residence during the first nationwide coronavirus lockdown in 2020, according to a leaked email seen by broadcaster ITV.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Johnson, who won a landslide victory in a 2019 election, has faced a barrage of criticism over allegations that there were parties in breach of COVID-19 rules in government offices, including his own.
Around 40 staff gathered in the garden for the drinks party, including Johnson and his wife Carrie, ITV said, even though at the time social mixing between households was limited to two people outdoors.
An email was sent by the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds to over 100 employees in Downing Street on May 20, 2020, ITV said. The leaked email asked them to bring alcohol to the party and to “make the most of the lovely weather.”
“After what has been an incredibly busy period it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening,” Reynolds said in the email. “Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!”
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Johnson’ office declined to comment.
At the time, schools were shut to most pupils, and pubs and restaurants were closed, with strict controls on social mixing. Two people from different households were allowed to meet outdoors but only if they maintained a distance of 2 metres.
‘OUTRAGEOUS’
Johnson will be under pressure to explain his own role in the gathering. His premiership has been badly tarnished by controversies in recent months, leading to warnings from some of his lawmakers that he could face a leadership challenge.
The opposition Labour Party accused Johnson of having “no regard for the rules he puts in place for the rest of us.” The Scottish National Party called the email “utterly outrageous.”
London’s police, which previously declined to investigate claims of government officials gathering during the national lockdowns, said on Monday it was in contact with the Cabinet Office after “widespread reporting” of breaches of health protection laws in Downing Street.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
A senior government official, Sue Gray, is investigating allegations that at least five parties were held in government departments last year during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Johnson’s former chief adviser Dominic Cummings claimed last week that a drinks party had been held in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 despite warnings by him that it was against the rules.
When the prime minister was asked earlier on Monday if he and Carrie Johnson had attended the event, he declined to answer, saying: “All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray.”
The allegations of officials holding events in breach of the government’s own lockdown rules, including a Christmas party, have dismayed voters who were told by the government to carefully stick to social distancing rules.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Johnson, 57, has faced criticism in recent months over his handling of a sleaze scandal, the awarding of lucrative COVID contracts, the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat and a claim he intervened to ensure pets were evacuated from Kabul during the chaotic Western withdrawal in August.
Johnson’s Conservatives have lost their lead in opinion polls over the Labour Party and last month suffered an election defeat in a historic stronghold, stepping up pressure from his own lawmakers to reform his team of advisers.
Britain’s official death toll from the pandemic rose above 150,000 on Saturday, the second highest in absolute terms in Europe, behind only Russia’s.
UK PM Johnson under fire over 'bring your own booze' lockdown party
LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was under fire on Tuesday after it emerged his private secretary had invited over 100 people to a “bring your own…
Only makes sense . When hearing reports of many stillbirths recently it makes even more sense .
Here We Go Again… Connecticut Asks Nursing Homes to Accept COVID-Infected Patients from Hospitals Due to Staff Shortages
By Jim HoftPublished January 11, 2022 at 7:30am
153 Comments
I guess they don't need this one now
Published January 10, 2022 at 12:05pm
223 Comments
Update: Experts Now Say ‘Deltacron’ Variant Likely Due to Lab Processing Error
By Cristina LailaPublished January 10, 2022 at 12:05pm
223 Comments
Yep, the degradation of the U.S.'s pandemic preparedness and response capability is a classic case of "It ain't raining, so there's no need to fix the roof" alleged thinking on the part of the Congress. Both parties guilty.
OK, you think the Congress was contemplating the impeachment of Trump during the Bush and Obama administrations.Oh yeah impeachment of Trump..
Cool.
So. . . when the CDC or Doc Fauci change their advice based on more/later info, they're liars, but when somebody you like changes their statement, it's an "update?"
Good to know.
No of course not.. but while COVID was raging and should have been number 1 on the list to deal with.. they were to busy going after Trump.
They were blind sided afterwards.
You woulda squealed like a stuck pig over anything they did, so I won't even go into the fact that you can't ramp up an effective pandemic-fighting structure overnight, nor in a year.