Good evening, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- It’s the day many travellers have been waiting for, when fully vaccinated Canadians no longer need a pre-departure PCR test
- Hong Kong is struggling as cases continue to rise in the global financial hub, with 87 deaths recorded on Monday
- A judge has thrown out a $12-million lawsuit from Kulvinder Gill and Ashvinder Lamba, who were suing more than 20 Canadian journalists, medical doctors and media outlets
In the past seven days, 42,039 cases were reported, down 5 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 507 deaths announced, up 9 per cent over the same period. At least 4,803 people are being treated in hospitals.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 13th among countries with a population of one million or more people.
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 • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening
Photo of the day
A patient is transported at a temporary triage area at the Caritas Medical Center hospital in Hong Kong on Feb. 28, 2022.BILLY H.C. KWOK/The New York Times News Service
Coronavirus in Canada
- In Ontario, where there are currently 849 people in hospital and 279 people in the ICU, many public health restrictions - such as the vaccine certificate system - are set to end on Tuesday. But Premier Doug Ford says it isn’t the “Wild West” and some businesses are choosing to keep the vaccine passports going.
- In British Columbia, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are continuing to decline. The Health Ministry reported 549 patients in hospital as of Monday, a drop from 599 on Friday.
- Saskatchewan has lifted all COVID-19 health measures as of Monday. The last two remaining measures were mandatory masking in indoor public places and a requirement to self-isolate for five days if positive for the infection.
- In Alberta, the “vast majority,” including the provincial mask mandate, will end as of Tuesday.
- In Quebec, there are 1,456 people hospitalized with COVID-19, and 98 people in the ICU. Five deaths from the virus were reported.
New travel rules for Canadians today mean no more pre-travel PCR tests for double-vaccinated air and land travellers, and no more isolation for unvaccinated children under 12 when they return to the country.
- However, rapid tests administered by a health professional remain mandatory for those 12 and over who want to avoid quarantining for 10 days once they get home.
Defamation suit: A judge has thrown out a $12-million defamation lawsuit that was launched against more than 20 Canadian journalists, medical doctors and media outlets, saying it was intended to silence legitimate debate about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus around the world
- In Hong Kong, the number of patients dying from COVID-19 or serious complications triggered by the cold weather sharply increased over the past two weeks, and facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public mortuaries are at maximum capacity.
- The World Health Organization had previously said it planned to end the pandemic by vaccinating 70 per cent of the world by June. Is that goal still attainable - or even viable?
Globe opinion
- André Picard: Long COVID deserves a long, hard look
- Gus Carlson: Tourists descend on Florida to find no COVID-19 restrictions and a defiant Governor
Information centre
- Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Where do I book a COVID-19 booster or a vaccine appointment for my kids? Latest rules by province
- What is and isn't 'paid sick leave' in Canada? A short primer
- Got a vaccine 'hangover'? Here's why
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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