Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- While other countries are accelerating their vaccine rollouts, Canada is faltering. Turns out that Ottawa’s claims were out of step with reality
- A decision on Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine from Health Canada is “days away”
- How many teachers have had the coronavirus, but didn’t know it? Researchers are using antibody tests to find out
Canada currently ranks in 34th place for inoculation rate among the world’s 86 most populous countries.
In the last 7 days, 20,169 cases were reported, down 3 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 296 deaths announced, down 19 per cent over the same period. At least 1,992 people are being treated in hospitals and 826,340 others are considered recovered.
About 83 per cent of the 2,619,870 doses of vaccine distributed to provinces have been administered. That’s 5.7 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 • Canadian vaccine tracker • Lockdown rules and reopening • Canada’s vaccine distribution plan • Developing/approved vaccines • Pfizer’s vaccine, explained • Essential resources
Photo of the day
Medical Assistant Keona Shepard holds up the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as she prepares to administer it Thursday, March 4, 2021 in New Orleans.Chris Granger/The Associated Press
Coronavirus in Canada
- Saskatchewan will extend the gap between the first and second COVID-19 vaccine dose to four months. Extending the time between shots could mean every adult in the province will receive at least one dose by June.
- Pharmacies in three public health units in Ontario, including Toronto, will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines next week.
- The number of cases and hospitalizations are no longer dropping across Quebec, according to a new report. And, the variant originally discovered in Britain could cause cases in the Montreal area to jump by the end of April if residents don’t strictly adhere to health orders, according to new modelling.
- A pastor in Alberta who is accused of holding church services that violated COVID-19 rules is appealing his bail conditions today.
In November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada had the “best portfolio of vaccines of any country in the world.” So why is Canada’s inoculation rate so far behind peer nations?
- As of this week, Canada ranks behind more than 30 countries for its inoculation rate. Compared to other G7 countries, Canada ranks sixth.
- Analysis by The Globe shows that Ottawa’s vaccine promises were inconsistent with several hard realities: Canada lacks manufacturing capacity and signed contracts do not appear to guarantee priority access to vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines: Health Canada is just “days away” from a decision on Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. If approved, the single-dose vaccine would be the fourth option approved for use in Canada. Meanwhile, the agency said it won’t require new clinical data from vaccine makers for booster shots being developed to target new variants of COVID-19, instead relying on lab tests.
Vaccine contracts: Novavax published its contract with Canada, the only COVID-19 vaccine agreement made public so far between the Canadian government and a manufacturer.
Health spending: Provincial leaders reiterated their unanimous demand for a $28-billion increase in health transfers from Ottawa – an increase the Prime Minister says is necessary but will have to wait until after the pandemic.
Coronavirus around the world
- Tributes are pouring in after prominent South African journalist Karima Brown died of COVID-19.
- The European Union will start a review of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in an attempt to overcome shortages as new variants appear.
- In the hopes that Britain will give the go-ahead for summer holidays to restart in mid-May, British Airways has struck a deal with a COVID-19 testing-kit provider.
Coronavirus and business
While other online travel agencies sustained steep drops last year, business for Snapcommerce – a Toronto online travel agency startup – was booming.
- Americans were still travelling – albeit by road, not plane – and used Snapcommerce in increasing numbers to book accommodations.
- The company’s perseverance eventually caught the eye of investors, and today it announced it had raised US$65-million in equity financing.
Also today: Membership-only retail chain Costco is reporting a staggering online sales jump of 75.8% in the second quarter from a year earlier.
And: The chief executive officers of two major banks saw their pay increases cut in 2020, as full-year profits fell short of targets set before the global health crisis began.
Globe opinion
- The Globe editorial board: Canada’s vaccine plan to hedge its bets by contracting far more doses per capita than any other country seemed promising. Then the country got punched in the mouth. Now, it’s time to change plans.
- Arthur Schafer: The Ontario plan for an overwhelmed hospital system may come to be seen as reasonable and fair; but continued secrecy will inevitably feed suspicion that the government is concealing something nefarious.
More reporting
- Canada Post has suspended mail delivery to several Toronto high-rises, citing concern over COVID-19 exposure.
- Ontario municipalities will receive an additional $500-million to help address pandemic-related costs.
- Provinces are accelerating COVID-19 vaccine plans after national guidelines embrace four months between shots.
- Yesterday, public-health leaders in Toronto and Peel said they recommend pandemic restrictions be eased slightly.
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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