Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- New modelling shows the current COVID-19 restrictions are not enough to contain the new, more contagious variants. If restrictions ease, daily cases could top 20,000 by mid-March.
- Ontario says stay-at-home orders will continue for Peel and Toronto, leaving many retailers – who planned to reopen Monday – reeling.
- The one millionth Canadian was vaccinated against COVID-19 today, as G7 moves to increase funding for global vaccine alliance, COVAX.
In the last 7 days, 20,270 cases were reported, down 10 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 414 deaths announced, down 25 per cent over the same period. At least 2,242 people are being treated in hospitals and 786,773 others are considered recovered.
About 88 per cent of the 1,599,895 doses of vaccine distributed to provinces have been administered. That’s 3.7 doses for every 100 people in Canada.
Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Lockdown rules and reopening • Canada’s vaccine distribution plan • Developing/approved vaccines • Pfizer’s vaccine, explained • Essential resources
Photo of the day
Artists perform during a campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination in Medellin, Colombia, on February 19.JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP/Getty Images
Coronavirus in Canada
- Three days before restrictions were set to lift, Ontario announced Peel and Toronto will remain under stay-at-home orders. Meanwhile, school boards in the province are struggling to implement a new asymptomatic testing program – including a weekly target of 5 per cent of schools each week – after the province gave only days notice.
- Newfoundland and Labrador reported 60 new COVID-19 cases today, almost two weeks since an outbreak in the province’s capital was first reported. There are currently 417 active cases in the province, which remains under the highest pandemic-alert level.
- In Quebec, early vaccine data shows the first dose of a vaccine reached about 80-per-cent effectiveness among health care workers and long-term care residents.
- In Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney announced more seniors, and those in group homes and homeless shelters, will be among the priority list for the next round of vaccinations. Kenney also said all those in long-term care supportive living facilities have now received two doses of the vaccine.
In Ottawa, new federal modelling shows the current restrictions are not enough to contain the new coronavirus variants, putting Canada at risk of a more intense third wave of the pandemic.
- Canada will avoid a third wave only if more aggressive physical distancing rules are put in place, according to the latest federal models.
- Two sets of models were released: one that showed the trajectory of the pandemic if the variants don’t take off, and another that showed what will happen if they do.
- Under current restrictions, Canada could see 10,000 cases per day by the end of March. If measures are eased, daily case counts could rise to more than 20,000 by mid-March.
COVID-19 vaccine: The millionth Canadian received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine today, weeks later than expected after an extended slowdown in delivery of doses from both Pfizer and Moderna.
Also today: The government will add 12 weeks of income support for two COVID-19 benefits, the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.
Coronavirus around the world
- The G7 will increase funding to COVAX, the global alliance to provide vaccines for lower-income countries. However, the group will not act on French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for the immediate redistribution of some vaccine to poorer regions. Earlier, Macron warned of “an unprecedented acceleration of global inequality” as a result of vaccines going mostly to rich countries.
- The United States said its land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least March 21 – a year since the first closure was announced.
Coronavirus and business
Canadian households added a $118-billion to their total mortgage debt in 2020 – a record that shows home-buying has thrived even amid the pandemic, new Statistics Canada data shows.
- At the same time, savings have surged across the country – in excess of $200-billion, according to estimates from two banks. How much of this saving will be spent when pandemic restrictions eventually lift will be a key question in the country’s economic recovery.
Also today: Some retailers in Ontario are left reeling after the government reversed course, and decided to keep Toronto and Peel Region under lockdown – just three days before the restrictions were set to lift. This week, top doctors in both regions asked the province to keep restrictions in place.
And: Johnson & Johnson applied to the World Health Organization for emergency use listing of its COVID-19 vaccine.
Globe opinion
- Robyn Urback: Doug Ford’s opposition to paid sick days is about his image, not evidence
- The Globe editorial board: With vaccinations about to ramp up, this is the wrong time for provinces to reopen
More reporting
- A pandemic career pivot: How this UBC medical professor became a COVID-19 safety consultant for streaming giant Netflix
- Domestic vaccine production was never a possibility for 2021, the federal vaccine task force co-chair says
- ‘Pushed to my absolute breaking point’: Canadian zoos and aquariums are struggling to survive during the pandemic
- How this Italian doctor found Europe’s Patient One and became a national hero
- Investors are looking for clues about how Canada’s big banks will bounce back in a postpandemic recovery
- Amplify: As the pandemic drags on, I worry about its impact on the arts community
- COVID-19 has added an extra wrinkle to some Canadians’ RRSP plans
- Union presses Olymel to pay employees during the COVID-19 shutdown at an Alberta pork plant
.Information centre
- How well do vaccines work? Here’s what you need to know.
- Rob Carrick’s 10-point checklist of things you should have done by now to protect or improve your money situation. Tips for minimizing damage to your credit score; how to manage retirement anxiety during difficult times; and things to think about if you’re considering home delivery.
- Here are the expectations for self-isolation; tips for managing anxiety and protecting your mental health; and what to do if you think you have the virus. Wash your hands. How to break a bad habit (like touching your face). Is flying safe?
- The best foods to eat to maintain an immune system-friendly diet; and how to keep a healthy diet while working from home; four eating tips when working from home; and five mistakes that might cause you to gain unwanted weight. Here are the essentials to stock up on and how to shop safely for groceries; the best pantry staples and how to stop stress-eating.
- Find answers to your coronavirus and employment questions.
Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins.
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