Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- Trudeau say government has negotiated more Moderna vaccine doses and faster delivery
- Quebec long-term care homes see sharp decline in new COVID-19 cases
- Melbourne, Australia entered five-day lockdown as British variant spreads
In the last 7 days, 22,562 cases were reported, down 16 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 552 deaths announced, down 32 per cent over the same period. At least 2,493 people are being treated in hospitals and 762,205 others are considered recovered.
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
Maria do Socorro Correia, 78, receives a vaccine at her home, as healthcare workers administer the vaccine to elderlies who cannot leave home, in the Rocinha slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.PILAR OLIVARES/Reuters
Coronavirus in Canada
- In Quebec, long-term care homes are averaging six new cases a day, down from more than 60 a month ago – a sign the province’s vaccination campaign may be proving successful. Meanwhile, the province’s health minister says it remains on track to administer a second vaccine dose within the recommended 90-day time frame.
- Ontario’s failure to fulfill its commitment to administer the first shots of the COVID-19 vaccine to those living and working in long-term care has led to devastating consequences. Meanwhile, the province announced what restrictions would be placed on the 27 public health units leaving the provincewide stay-at-home order on Feb. 16.
- Yesterday, Newfoundland and Labrador announced Saturday’s election vote would be delayed in 18 of the province’s 40 ridings because of a spike in coronavirus cases in the province. Today, just a day before the other 22 ridings were set to head to the polls, widespread confusion remains.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is buying four million more doses of Moderna’s vaccine, and has negotiated a faster delivery of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots.
- Distribution of shots will speed up in April, with all 44 million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be delivered by September, the Prime Minister said.
- Procurement Minister Anita Anand said Moderna and Pfizer will deliver enough doses between April and June that 1.5 million more Canadians will be inoculated this spring.
- The government also said a deal to buy shots of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, not yet been authorized by Health Canada, from India is being finalized. The new doses are on top of an existing purchase of 21.9 million shots.
COVID-19 and travel: Canada’s latest travel rules are ruffling feathers among snowbirds in the United States.
Coronavirus around the world
- Melbourne, Australia, a city of 6.5 million people, entered a five-day lockdown on Friday as a COVID-19 cluster spreads rapidly. The cluster is tied to a case of the more contagious British variant, which was first detected at a Melbourne Airport hotel.
- In the United States, the governor of New York and his top aides are facing allegations that they covered up the scope of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, after admissions that they withheld data in an effort to forestall potential investigations into state misconduct.
Coronavirus and business
Air Canada posted a loss of $4.6-billion in 2020 due to the pandemic, but said it is optimistic that talks with the federal government will yield a bailout.
- Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, said its full-year revenue fell by $13.3-billion to $5.9-billion, compared with 2019.
- Passenger volume dropped by 73 per cent in what the company called “the bleakest year in the history of commercial aviation.”
Also today: The federal government’s reversal on CERB repayments is a reversal of legal precedent.
And: Success in controlling COVID-19 on Canada’s east coast has led to a spike in housing prices in the region.
Globe opinion
- Brooks Fallis: Canada is sleepwalking into a third wave, and it could be the worst one yet.
- Elizabeth Renzetti: After a year of forced togetherness, could we celebrate UnFamily Day this time?
- Cathal Kelly: Athletes need to accept that COVID-19 testing is now a part of sport.
- Sandy Skotnicki: No makeup. Skipping showers. Incessant hand-washing. What is COVID-19 doing to our skin?
More reporting
- Yesterday, Ontario’s own COVID-19 science advisers said the province could face a third wave if restrictions in the province are eased.
- How some financial advisers are going above and beyond to help clients with COVID-19.
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.
What are we missing? Email us: audience@globeandmail.com. Do you know someone who needs this newsletter? Send them to our Newsletters page.