Coronavirus Update: One year ago, the pandemic changed our lives forever

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

Top headlines:

1. ‘We now have two pandemics’: Coronavirus variants now account for 40 per cent of all Ontario cases – something experts say is cause for concern across Canada
2. Canada marks the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic
3. COVID-19 decimated the arts in Canada – and the worst may be yet to come

In the last 7 days, 21,373 cases were reported, up 6 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 210 deaths announced, down 29 per cent over the same period. At least 1,944 people are being treated in hospitals and 846,719 others are considered recovered.

About 84 per cent of the 3,252,070 doses of vaccine distributed to provinces have been administered. That’s 7.2 doses for every 100 people in Canada. 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

• After a slow start and overloaded booking system, British Columbia says it will speed up its COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The province said that starting today, people in the province over the age of 85 can book an appointment. Meanwhile, the province said it will not release its contract with Telus for vaccine appointment-booking call centres.
• In Ontario, COVID-19 variants now account for 40 per cent of new infections, as experts warn a third wave looms. The province will use its “emergency brake” mechanism to impose a lockdown in Sudbury after a major spike in COVID-19 cases there. Meanwhile, most schools in the province are still not offering COVID-19 tests.
• Quebec held a ceremony to honour the memory of more than 10,500 people who died of COVID-19 in the province.
• Health officials are warning that Regina is a hotspot for COVID-19, with Saskatchewan lab results showing the majority of variant cases are in the Regina area.

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared today a national day of remembrance, and rose in the House of Commons to mark the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a pandemic.

• Since the pandemic began, more than 22,000 people in Canada have died of COVID-19.
• In a speech, the Prime Minister touched on events of the past year, including the multiple tragedies in long-term care, essential workers stocking grocery-store shelves, and people cheering health-care workers.
• Trudeau ended his remarks on a hopeful note, noting millions of vaccine doses are on the way to Canada, allowing provinces to accelerate their vaccination campaigns.

Vaccine passports: The Prime Minister’s science adviser is preparing a report on whether and how Canada should implement COVID-19 vaccine passports.

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: Canadian health authorities say there is no link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots, and they do not intend to stop its rollout.

Coronavirus around the world

• Brazil is reaching a tipping point as a highly contagious coronavirus variant tears through the country.
• U.S. President Joe Biden signed his $1.9-trillion stimulus bill into law on the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic. The President said he will use his 8 p.m. EST address to discuss “what we’ve been through as a nation this past year,” as well as a look ahead.
• Europe approved Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
• Denmark and Norway are the latest European countries to hit pause on their use of the AstraZeneca vaccine pending further investigation of blood clots in a number of patients who had received the shot.
• The Novavax vaccine was 96 per cent effective against the original coronavirus strain, according to a trial in the United Kingdom.

Coronavirus and business

The Bank of Canada’s deputy governor says the extra savings Canadians have amassed over the last year – on average about $5,800 – could help boost the country’s economic recovery from COVID-19. However, a savings-driven recovery isn’t a sure thing, Lawrence Schembri said.

• It’s unclear how much of the $180-billion in “forced” or “precautionary” household savings can realistically be spent on meals, vacations and haircuts once COVID-19 immunization becomes widespread.
• Canadians on average spent around $4,000 less last year than the previous year, largely due to less spending in “high-contact” industries.
• Savings also increased as a drop in average disposable income (around $1,600 on average) was more than offset by government support programs (around $3,400 per Canadian over the age of 15).

Also today: Canada should make fiscal support a priority over debt management as the country’s economy recovers from the pandemic, the OECD says.

And: How have employee rights changed during COVID-19?

Globe opinion

• The Globe editorial board: When it comes to tracking vaccines, while other countries are using 21st-century scanners and software to track their vaccines, Canada is like a monk in a medieval monastery, hand-transcribing the Bible onto vellum.
• Robyn Urback: Canadians, generally speaking, are pretty good at showing up to help when called. Other countries are mobilizing volunteers to collectively fight the pandemic. Canada just needs to make the call.
• Amir Imani and Zain Chagla: When it comes to the choice of vaccines, the recommendation from many scientists, clinicians and epidemiologists has been the same: “The best vaccine is the first one you’re offered.” Here’s what you need to know.
• Shawn Harmon: As the most ambitious vaccination program in Canadian history ramps up, there will be occasions when individuals will experience an ‘adverse event following immunization.’ This necessitates the the government to enact a no-fault ‘vaccine injury support program’ (VISP).

More reporting

• COVID-19 diaries: Globe and Mail staff reflect on their pandemic year
• Steini Brown, co-chair of Ontario’s science table, pulls no punches.
• Pfizer said it will consider new COVID-19 vaccine production sites only after the “pandemic supply phase” is over
• Portable COVID-19 rapid-testing units are helping to keep Calgary’s curling bubble safe
• These arts leaders took over their organizations just as the pandemic hit. Here are their lessons in navigating through crisis
• Basketball: Duke will miss March Madness for first time since 1995 as a positive COVID-19 test ends the team’s season
• Seven cartoons that capture the last year of pandemic day-to-day life
• One thousand people in Toronto’s homeless shelters have already received a vaccine

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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