Good evening, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- Canadian economy grew through Omicron wave, boosting chance of Bank of Canada rate hike Wednesday
- Ontario lifts most COVID-19 restrictions today, but mask mandates continue
- Hong Kong residents brace for a city-wide lockdown, emptying supermarkets and pharmacies
In the past seven days, 39,822 cases were reported, down 10 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 449 deaths announced, down 4 per cent over the same period. At least 4,840 people are being treated in hospitals.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 13th among countries with a population of one million or more people.
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
Photo of the day
Customers purchase COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits from a store on March 1, in Hong Kong, China. The Hong Kong government is planning to impose a 'large-scale lockdown' as part of its universal COVID-19 testing drive, according to South China Morning Post.Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Coronavirus in Canada
- Today Ontario lifted most COVID-19 restrictions, including proof-of-vaccination and capacity limits at restaurants, bars, cafes, concert venues and sporting arenas. Health Minister Christine Elliott said today she expects that mask mandates in the province would lift “probably within the next few weeks,” depending on advice from the province’s top doctor.
- British Columbia could drop more COVID-19 restrictions before spring break, provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said today.
- In Quebec, hospitalizations continue to decrease. There are currently 1,439 people hospitalized with COVID-19, after 86 patients were admitted in the past 24 hours and 93 were discharged.
- Alberta has lifted almost all of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including dropping all capacity limits at large events. Meanwhile, Premier Jason Kenney said today his government will propose a bill to stop municipalities from imposing their own restrictions. Alberta has fewer than 10,000 active cases and 1,224 people in hospital with due to COVID-19. There are 83 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, representing about 80 per cent of expanded ICU capacity.
Coronavirus around the world
- Hong Kong residents braced today for a city-wide lockdown, emptying supermarkets and pharmacies. Hong Kong reported 32,597 new infections on Tuesday and a record 117 deaths in the past 24 hours.
- U.S. researchers have found that nerve damage may explain some cases of long COVID-19. A small study of patients suffering from persistent symptoms of COVID-19 found that nearly 60 per cent had nerve damage possibly caused by a defective immune response, a finding that could point to new treatments.
Coronavirus and business
The Canadian economy continued to grow through the Omicron wave of the pandemic, beating analyst expectations and increasing the likelihood that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates on Wednesday for the first time since 2018.
- Preliminary estimates show that Canada’s GDP grew by 0.2 per cent month-over-month in January, Statistics Canada said today. While economic growth slowed in December, the Canadian economy ended last year on a solid footing, with GDP growing 6.7 per cent on an annualized basis in the fourth quarter.
Also today: As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Canadian manufacturing activity expanded in February at the fastest pace in three months, new data shows.
More reporting
- First Person: Catching COVID brought my community to my front porch
Information centre
- Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Where do I book a COVID-19 booster or a vaccine appointment for my kids? Latest rules by province
- What is and isn't 'paid sick leave' in Canada? A short primer
- Got a vaccine 'hangover'? Here's why
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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Samantha Edwards