Coronavirus Update: Medicago becomes first Canadian company to reach Phase 3 trial

Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.

Top headlines:

1. Quebec-based biopharmaceutical company Medicago is the first in Canada to advance its vaccine to a large-scale study
2. As the European Union faces a third wave of the pandemic, it is threatening to ban exports of COVID-19 vaccines to Britain to safeguard scarce doses
3. The World Health Organization gives its support to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after more than a dozen European countries suspend its use

In the last 7 days, 22,506 cases were reported, up 6 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 219 deaths announced, down 5 per cent over the same period. At least 2,020 people are being treated in hospitals and 865,090 others are considered recovered.

About 81 per cent of the 4,213,080 doses of vaccine distributed to provinces have been administered. Canada’s inoculation rate is 36th among 84 countries with a population of one million or more people.

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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 • Vaccine distribution plan • Four vaccines approved in Canada • Essential resources

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Coronavirus in Canada

• The number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU in Quebec has increased by 16 people, for a total of 107. Starting tonight, the province’s curfew is moved back to 9:30 p.m. from 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the Quebec-based biopharma company Medicago has started Phase 3 trials for its COVID-19 vaccine – the first Canadian jab to reach a large-scale study.
• A new report by the group of scientists that advises the Ontario government says vaccines should be sent to buildings with high concentrations of seniors. And, public health authorities in Toronto and Peel are proposing a “modest” expansion of outdoor activities that can be allowed while the area remains in the “grey” zone.
• In Alberta, the pastor jailed after violating public-health orders is set to be released soon. All but one charge against the pastor have been dropped, and he is set to face trial in May.
• Manitoba expanded the criteria for COVID-19 vaccines, reducing the age limit by two years. Now, First Nations people aged 53 and up and others aged 73 can book a vaccine appointment.
• In British Columbia, the number of cases of the British variant have doubled nearly every week since the beginning of February. And the workplace injury data released by the B.C. Teachers Federation is fueling the debate over mandating masks in elementary schools.
• A COVID-19 outbreak that swept through young people in the St. John’s region of Newfoundland and Labrador last month began with superspreader events, according to health officials.

In Ottawa, the national drop in severe COVID-19 outcomes, like hospitalizations and deaths, is beginning to level off and the average number of daily new cases is on the rise again, Canada’s top doctor said today.

• On average, over the last seven days, 2,048 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals every day, including 550 people in ICU. Infection rates are highest among those between the ages of 20 and 39.

Medicago: Quebec-based biopharmaceutical company Medicago Inc. is moving forward with its Phase 3 clinical trial, currently aiming to enroll 30,000 participants from 10 countries, including Canada, the United States and Britain.

Worker protection: Advocates for migrant workers are pushing for stronger COVID-19 protections.

Coronavirus around the world

• “We are in the crisis of the century,” European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said as the EU threatened to block exports of COVID-19 vaccines to Britain.
• The World Health Organization considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue, the organization said after several European countries suspended its use.
• Tanzania President John Magufuli, infamous as one of the world’s most vehement deniers of the coronavirus, has died. It is unclear if he died of COVID-19.

Coronavirus and business

Atlantic Canada premiers are planning on discussing reopening the “Atlantic bubble” – allowing East Coast businesses to salvage the tourism season this summer.

• The bigger question is when travellers from other parts of the country might be allowed in without restrictions.
• One of Atlantic Canada’s most prominent epidemiologists says it’s too early to know how the vaccine rollout may evolve, and what the risk of allowing outside visitors would be.
• Susan Kirkland, chief of the department of community health and epidemiology at Dalhousie University, suggests even fully vaccinated travellers from Ontario or Quebec hoping to visit this summer should still plan on a 14-day quarantine period when they arrive.

Also today: Global oil demand is unlikely to return to its pre-COVID-19 growth rate, a new report says.

And: Canada’s inflation rate edged higher, setting the stage for a jump in the coming months.

Globe opinion

• Robyn Urback: Europe’s illogical ban of AstraZeneca will prolong the pandemic and cost lives.
• Konrad Yakabuski: It wasn’t very long ago that the Trudeau government considered privatizing Canada’s then-booming airports, to free up capital. Now those same airports are begging for a bailout.
• Rob Carrick: I asked readers what they think of Canada’s overheated housing market. Here is their response.

More reporting

• Basketball: Toronto Raptor Fred VanVleet says the blame and guilt associated with COVID-19 is unfair
• Health and fitness: Hok skis, a hybrid of cross-country skis and snowshoes, can help people get outside and beat the pandemic blues

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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