Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- The White House is sounding the alarm over the World Health Organization’s Wuhan investigation, saying it has “deep concerns” about the report’s findings
- Prince Edward Island confirmed its first case of the variant that originated in Britain, marking the mutation’s presence in all 10 provinces
- British Columbia’s top doctor says the Nigerian coronavirus variant has been identified in the province
In the last 7 days, 20,646 cases were reported, down 18 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 526 deaths announced, down 28 per cent over the same period. At least 2,361 people are being treated in hospitals and 768,510 others are considered recovered.
About 97 per cent of the 1,313,225 doses of vaccine distributed to provinces have been administered. That’s 3.3 doses for every 100 people in Canada.
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
A man casts his ballot at a polling station during a regional election in Catalonia, amid the coronavirus pandemic, in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 14, 2021. REUTERS/Albert GeaALBERT GEA/Reuters
Coronavirus in Canada
- Ontario’s vaccine task force said today it is expanding its focus in the coming weeks and will prioritize vaccinations for staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, top priority health care workers and Indigenous adults in remote and high-risk communities.
- Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s top doctor, says the Nigerian coronavirus variant has been identified in the province and is linked to someone who travelled to Nigeria.
- Nova Scotia saw some of the country’s biggest increases in housing prices last year, according to data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as the pandemic continues to see remote employment grow.
- An Alberta man has created an app to help Somalis understand COVID-19 information, which is mostly in English.
In Ottawa, a new research network aimed at addressing the impact of the new variants in Canada has been set up by the federal government to quickly assess the new threats as they emerge.
- The announcement comes just as the British coronavirus variant is identified in all 10 provinces, after PEI logged its first case.
- Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said the variants of concern have been spreading in Canada and warned of lifting public-health measures too soon.
Provincial procurement: Since Manitoba signed a deal to purchase vaccines directly from a Canadian manufacturer, other premiers are looking into the possibility.
Ease patent rules: As the struggle to procure and administer vaccines worsens globally, a growing number of governments and health experts are urging pharmaceutical companies to loosen their tight grip on their COVID-19 vaccine technology.
Coronavirus around the world
- New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced a three-day lockdown in the country’s biggest city, Auckland, after three COVID-19 cases emerged.
- China fired back at the U.S. over allegations from the White House that Beijing withheld some information about the coronavirus outbreak from World Health Organization investigators.
Coronavirus and business
New testing and quarantine measures will start Feb. 22. Air travellers will be ushered into hotels near one of the four Canadian airports currently accepting international flights, but snowbirds are decrying the new regulations.
- The Canadian Snowbird Association has called out the additional testing and quarantine requirements, saying the cost of the hotel stay poses financial hardship for travellers.
Also today: Converting office towers into something new – whether it be to hotel rooms, condos or affordable housing – will help Calgary deal with a massive glut of empty office space. At least one developer has already started.
Globe opinion
- Patrick Brethour: The government’s move to allow self-employed Canadians to keep up to $14,000 in wrongly claimed emergency income support payments runs contrary to firmly established legal principles.
- Jerry Dias: Employees are reportedly going to work even when they are showing symptoms, usually under pressure from their employers to do so. Now, when the implications can be deadly, paid sick days must be legislated.
- Brooks Fallis: Reopening of schools and economies without meaningful improvements in surveillance or containment is set to intersect with emerging variants of concern and vaccine shortages, creating a perfect storm for a massive third wave.
- Nik Nanos: Declaring war on the virus and rallying Canadians to do their share and quickly pumping stimulus into the hands of citizens and businesses buoyed up Liberal fortunes in 2020. Fast-forward to 2021, and patience is wearing thin over a rocky and stalled vaccine rollout.
- Editorial: The first pandemic wave a year ago presented cities around the world with an urgent need to rethink what their streets could be. The resounding conclusion was to make more room for people. Toronto’s Yonge Street redesign will be a harbinger of the future of cities.
- Cathal Kelly: The most high-profile petri dish for treating professional athletes like regular humans (and screening them accordingly) is the Australian Open. The tennis tournament has been going on for nearly a week, but the soap opera surrounding it has been running for a month.
- Marcus Gee: That China managed to get the virus under control at home is an unquestionable success for the country and a great relief for its people, but hardly a vindication of its system of government.
More reporting
- The Canadian Armed Forces is dealing with a shortfall of several thousand troops as COVID-19 has forced the military to curb the training of new recruits.
- Montreal’s Pizzeria Bros makes their pizzas on the road.
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.