Coronavirus Update: Blackfeet Tribe in Montana hosts vaccine clinic for Albertans

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

Top headlines:

1. Hundreds of Albertans lined up at the U.S. border to take advantage of a vaccine clinic – hosted by the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana
2. Dr. Teresa Tam expects that Canadians who got Oxford-AstraZeneca in the first round will be able to choose which vaccine they get for their second dose
3. Canada’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine to be tested in human subjects has shown promising results

In the last 7 days, 38,575 cases were reported, down 22 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 305 deaths announced, down 6 per cent over the same period. At least 3,490 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,248,374 others are considered recovered.

Canada’s inoculation rate is 13th 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

• On Tuesday, hundreds of Alberta residents drove to a vaccine clinic hosted by the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana. They lined up in their cars, drove through a loop that takes them just across the border, received their shots through the window, and were monitored for 15 minutes before returning home. Also, provincial health officials say there are more than 240 patients in intensive care, more than ever before.
• In Quebec, Premier Francois Legault said that 75 per cent of adults there have received a COVID-19 vaccine or are booked to get one, as the province records its lowest number of daily infections since September. And, the Premier said his government will lift the COVID-19 curfew on May 28.
• Starting today in Ontario, all adults in the province are eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine, while hot-spot communities such as Peel and Toronto will no longer receive a larger share of shots.
• New Brunswick opened vaccine appointments to all adults, as the province reports the 42nd death from COVID-19.

In Ottawa, Canada’s top doctor says she expects those Canadians who got the AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose can choose which vaccine they get for the second shot.

• “It is likely that people in Canada who’ve received one dose of AstraZeneca will have a choice for their second dose,” Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said.
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is awaiting more data on mixing and matching vaccines, but Tam said advice on second doses should be ready before most people are due to get their second vaccination.

Also in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that three in four Canadians would need to be vaccinated before the Canada-U.S. border would reopen.

• Saying that border discussions are ongoing, Trudeau tamped down on any expectations that the border restrictions could be lifted soon.

COVID-19: Canada today reached the grim milestone of 25,000 total deaths from COVID-19 since the first fatality was reported on March 9, 2020.

Vaccines: Canada’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, from Quebec-based biopharmaceutical company Medicago, is showing promise in clinical trials.

Major-General Dany Fortin: Trudeau said his office was told weeks ago of the allegation involving Major-General Dany Fortin but he didn’t receive details.

Quarantine loophole: Instead of paying upwards of $3,000 to quarantine for three days in a hotel, snowbirds have discovered a loophole. More and more Canadians are crossing the border by land, giving American taxi companies a surge in business.

Coronavirus around the world

• Halting COVID-19 vaccine exports from India, a country that has hit a grim death toll, risks derailing vaccination efforts already underway in Africa, one of the continent’s top health officials said.

Coronavirus and business

The pandemic-era boom in pet ownership has led to a similar increase in demand for veterinary services.

• “There are so many new pets, it is crazy to keep up,” said Cally Merritt, a registered veterinary technician.
• It’s straining an industry already facing challenges retaining enough workers to keep up with demand.

Also today: Builders of Toronto’s new Eglinton Crosstown light-rapid transit line have said for months that the coronavirus crisis has caused millions of dollars in lost productivity. Now, a court has ruled those companies are not responsible for extra costs or extra time incurred as a result of the pandemic, which could set a precedent.

Globe opinion

• Gary Mason: Will the U.S.’s new mask policy prove to be a matter of foresight or folly?
• The Editorial Board: Thanks to the good sense of Canadians, we’re about to out-vaccinate the Americans
• André Picard: In a pandemic world, Japan’s Olympic Games must not go on

More reporting

• Leadership lab: Forced COVID-19 lockdown measures made me face the fact that I was overworking myself
• Paycheque project: ‘It was luck that we got into the market when COVID hit,’ say debt-free Toronto renters earning $65,000
• The Decibel: Do we want to work from home forever?

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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