Coronavirus Update: Canada suspending flights from India and Pakistan for a month

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

Top headlines:

1. The Canadian government is suspending incoming flights from India and Pakistan for a month as cases of COVID-19 surge in both countries
2. Canada needs to boost its housing supply to help curb hot housing markets, says Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland
3. Advocates are calling for expectant mothers to be prioritized for the vaccine, as those who contract the virus are at higher risk of having a severe case

In the last 7 days, 59,114 cases were reported, down 3 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 322 deaths announced, up 11 per cent over the same period. At least 4,352 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,045,237 others are considered recovered.

Canada’s inoculation rate is 15th 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

• Ontario Premier Doug Ford apologized for some missteps during a virtual press conference Thursday, saying his government moved “too fast” last week when it brought in sweeping new police powers, and vowed to move on paid sick days. Meanwhile, the province issued two new emergency orders that will help bring more health care workers into hospitals overburdened by COVID-19. And, medical experts are recommending further restrictions in workplaces such as manufacturing, construction, warehousing and logistics to help bring cases under control. In Toronto, hate crimes jumped 51 per cent last year, spurred in part by the coronavirus pandemic, police say.
• In Quebec, Premier Francois Legault said he and the premiers of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia have sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling for tougher border restrictions, citing concern over travellers arriving from regions where variants are rampant. Meanwhile, the province expanded vaccine eligibility to people with chronic illness and disabilities.
• The COVID-19 travel ban coming into effect tomorrow in British Columbia will not prevent cross-border visitors, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says, but it will give power to enforce new measures designed to curb non-essential travel between the province’s health regions.
• Alberta passed a bill that gives all workers three hours of paid, job-protected leave to get a COVID-19 vaccination. And, the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana is giving away free coronavirus vaccines, meaning those living close to the border are taking advantage of an excess supply in the U.S.
• Experts in Saskatchewan are calling now for a targeted vaccination approach, in an effort to protect the province’s front-line workers.

In Ottawa, government officials are moving to ban flights from India and Pakistan to Canada for the next 30 days.

• At least 32 flights from Delhi and two from Pakistan have landed in Canada in the last two weeks, carrying dozens of passengers who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Expecting mothers: Emerging research suggests that pregnant women with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of hospitalization, admission to intensive care units and early labour, compared to people who are not expecting.

Coronavirus around the world

• In the United States, President Joe Biden said he is looking at what will be done with extra COVID-19 vaccines that the country is not using. The country’s stockpile of the AstraZeneca vaccine – not yet approved for use in the States – is expected to reach 30 million doses by the end of this month.
• India reported more than 314,000 COVID-19 infections – the world’s highest daily tally so far in the pandemic. This wave has overwhelmed the country’s health services, with most hospitals full and running out of oxygen.

Coronavirus and business

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland commented on Canada’s current housing market frenzy during a virtual event, saying there is more that cities, provinces and Ottawa can do together to quell the situation.

• Monday’s federal budget promised $2.4-billion over five years, beginning with nearly $1.8-billion this fiscal year, for affordable housing and pledged to tax foreigners who own vacant homes in Canada.
• Freeland didn’t detail what other options could be implemented during her hour-long talk with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

Also today: U.S. airlines pointed to a rebound in summer bookings as accelerated COVID-19 vaccinations make more people confident about travelling again.

And: As shopping habits change during the pandemic, Ottawa targets credit-card fees

Globe opinion

• Robyn Urback: Canada boasts of strong borders while allowing flights from COVID-19 hot spots to land daily
• Tanya Talaga: Ontario Premier Doug Ford shed tears when he apologized for moving “too fast” with his measures announced Friday. But it’s too little, too late.
• John Doyle: The awards season is really about the red carpet. The ratings for every awards show this past year have shown a major decline in interest, and without the glamour this year, the Oscars will be a bore.
• Rohinton Medhora: Now, more than ever, the dictums “We’re in it together” and “We’re not safe until everyone is safe,” stand true.

More reporting

• Yesterday, police in British Columbia said they take “exception” to conducting roadblocks limiting travel
• Canada’s women’s hockey team heads home shocked and disappointed by cancellation of the world championships

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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