Good evening, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know tonight. Please note there will be no Coronavirus Update newsletter on Family Day, February 21.
Top headlines:
- Remaining convoy protests cleared in downtown Ottawa
- Ontario reports 1,056 COVID-19-related hospitalizations; 1,758 hospitalized in Quebec
- A ‘vaccibus’ is helping Quebec reach its unvaccinated population
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses
Photo of the day
Police are seen behind a fenced off portion of downtown Ottawa on Feb. 20.Cole Burston/The Canadian Press
Coronavirus in Canada
- Ontario reported 1,056 COVID-19-related hospitalizations today – 135 fewer than the numbers reported on Saturday. The province reported an additional 19 further deaths attributed to COVID-19.
- Quebec reported 1,758 COVID-19-related hospitalizations today – a decline of 31 from the previous day. The province reported an additional 12 further deaths attributed to COVID-19.
In Ottawa, the protests in the city’s downtown have appeared to end Sunday, as the interim police chief vows to keep a presence in the core to “make sure nobody returns to occupy our streets again.”
- Police have erected metal barricades downtown near the site of the protests “to ensure the ground gained back is not lost.” Police said they have made 191 arrests, with charges laid against 103 people. 57 vehicles were also towed.
- Meanwhile, Members of Parliament continued to debate whether to authorize the Emergencies Act that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked last week.
- Ottawa police chief Steve Bell said Sunday afternoon that the operation is not yet done, as some drivers who left to avoid fines may return. “We will, over the next several days, identify what the posture of the police services will look like to see how we maintain a presence and make sure nobody returns to occupy our streets again,” Mr. Bell said.
COVID-19 vaccines: 9 in 10 Canadians are vaccinated against COVID-19. The remaining unvaccinated population are not always who you think they are.
Coronavirus around the world
- In England, Queen Elizabeth has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, according to Buckingham Palace. The 95-year-old monarch will continue with “light” duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the requirement to self-isolate for five days after contracting COVID-19 will be lifted soon. COVID-19 restrictions are unpopular with many members of Johnson’s Conservative Party, who view them as disproportionate given widespread take-up of vaccines.
- Beginning March 1, Israel will allow entry to all tourists, regardless of vaccination status. However, two PCR tests – one before flying, and one upon landing in the country – will still be required.
- The second Olympic Games of the COVID-19 pandemic era, and the most locked-down Games in history, came to a close in Beijing, China. The movements of athletes, media and workers were heavily restricted.
Globe opinion
- Jon Meddings and Jim Dewalk: Endemic COVID-19 isn’t a return to the past, let’s start preparing now
More reporting
- When it comes to getting workers back to the office as COVID-19 restrictions ease, employers should motivate, not mandate the return, a Great Attrition survey from McKinsey and Co. says.
- Letters to the editor: ‘The end of vaccine passports means the end of dining out for me.’
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.
What are we missing? Email us: audience@globeandmail.com. Do you know someone who needs this newsletter? Send them to our Newsletters page.
Jessie Willms