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

Top headlines:

  1. Ottawa announces fiscal update: Canada to spend $100-billion in stimulus postpandemic
  2. Canada on track for 4,000 coronavirus patients in hospital by Christmas, eclipsing first wave
  3. Moderna seeking U.S., EU emergency authorization for COVID-19 vaccine

In Canada, there have been at least 378,139 cases reported. In the last week 40,584 new cases were announced, 11 per cent more than the previous week. There have also been at least 299,972 recoveries and 12,130 deaths. Health officials have administered more than 12,940,839 tests.

Open this photo in gallery:

New deaths in Canada, Nov. 30The Globe and Mail

Worldwide, there have been at least 62,730,726 cases confirmed and 1,459,317 deaths reported.

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 Mask-wearing rules Back to school guide Essential resources


Photo of the day

Open this photo in gallery:

People wait in line for COVID-19 testing on the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend in Los Angeles. Health officials in Los Angeles County have issued a new limited stay-at-home order in effect for the next three weeks amid a surge in coronavirus cases.Mario Tama/Getty Images


Coronavirus in Canada


In Ottawa, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland released a fall economic statement showing the government plans to spend $100-billion in post-COVID-19 stimulus, and is projecting a deficit of $381.6-billion, up from the $343.2-billion forecast in early July.

  • The fiscal update included several significant policy announcements including: taxing companies such as Netflix, increasing the maximum Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, offering government-backed loans for hard-hit sectors including tourism and hospitality, and $20-million for child care.
  • While the government is in talks with airlines for a bailout, they announced support for Canadian airports. As well, the government said it is “exploring options to enhance” the LEEF, the loan program for large businesses that has only delivered two loans since launching six months ago.

COVID-19 hospitalizations: Canada is on track for 4,000 coronavirus patients in hospital by Christmas, according to mathematical modelling, but government restrictions and individual choices could turn the tide.


Coronavirus around the world

  • In the United States, Moderna said will seek U.S. and European Union emergency authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine, which it says is 94.1 per cent effective. Its distribution is expected to be easier than Pfizer’s because, while it needs to be stored in a freezer, it does not require the ultra-cold temperature needed by Pfizer’s vaccine.

Coronavirus and business

Home prices have spiked in resort towns, cottage country and tourist areas across most of Canada, as the pandemic’s work-from-home trend pushes buyers to escape the city for nature and more space.

And: Toronto startup MindBeacon Software, which provides therapy over the internet, is preparing to go public on the Toronto Stock Exchange amid a surge in demand.


Globe opinion

  • André Picard: “No matter how much politicians huff and puff and demand ‘straight answers,’ there are still a lot more unknowns that knowns. Anyone who thinks they can circle dates on the calendar and say with any certainty when vaccination will begin and when it will be completed is a fool.”
  • Cathal Kelly: “The hypocrisy of sports leagues gets at what has really changed between early summer and now. Most people still believe in strictly following the rules, just not the ones they find personally inconvenient.”

More reporting


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