Coronavirus Update: Leaked B.C. COVID data on racialized populations a ‘watershed moment’

Good evening, we’re updating the coronavirus newsletter to better reflect the pandemic as it changes. What would you like to see included? Send your thoughts to audience@globeandmail.com

Top headlines:

1. Leaked reports from the BC Centre for Disease Control showed that COVID-19 cases were clustered in neighbourhoods with racialized populations. One expert is calling the data breach a “watershed moment” for combatting future pandemics
2. New York City launched its vaccine passport system today – the first major U.S. city to do so
3. Back to hybrid school: The pros and cons of returning to a system where students learn in-person and online at the same time

In the past seven days, 13,864 cases were reported, up 52 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 327 deaths announced, down 67 per cent over the same period. At least 543 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,410,138 others are considered recovered.

Canada’s inoculation rate is 9th among 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

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Coronavirus in Canada

• B.C.’s health authority had been refusing to release race-based data on COVID-19 cases, citing fears that the information would stigmatize neighbourhoods that had high infection rates. The data was since leaked, and now community groups and public-health officials are calling the situation a positive development that could help guide future pandemic response.
• As the list of postsecondary schools that are mandating vaccines for a return to in-person learning continues to grow, many Alberta schools are saying they won’t go as far as requiring vaccination.
• Ontario announced that schools and nearby locations will run COVID-19 clinics as the academic year begins, as part of the government’s “last mile” vaccination strategy. Meanwhile, the province reported 526 new COVID-19 cases and zero deaths.
• The Northwest Territories is mandating masks, banning gatherings and closing non-essential businesses in two communities where COVID-19 cases have been identified.

On the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said a re-elected Liberal government would extend some emergency COVID-19 supports for businesses.

• Meanwhile, the Conservatives released their party platform, which includes sections on the economy and domestic vaccine production.
• NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on Mr. Trudeau to ensure that vaccine passports and mandatory vaccinations for federal public servants and federally regulated industries are in place by Labour Day.

Coronavirus around the world

• Once considered the epicentre of the virus in America, New York will now require all employees and customers at indoor restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues to provide proof that they have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccines do not raise the risk of miscarriage, according to the U.K.’s health regulator.
• Japan’s government is set to prolong COVID-19 emergency measures in the capital and other regions, just as the Tokyo Paralympics get under way next week.

Coronavirus and business

• Condo market rebound in Canada’s biggest cities has further to go, fuelled by rental demand
• Canadian home sales continued to cool in July, down 3.5 per cent month-over-month: CREA

Globe opinion

• Katharine Smart: To protect our kids from COVID-19, we have to be grown-ups
• Manish Raizada: On vaccines, Canada’s universities and colleges have broken their students’ trust

More reporting

• First Person: Parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic has been chaotic
• Hybrid classrooms could become more common, but teachers say they have drawbacks

Information centre

• Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
• Waiting for a second dose? We answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions
• 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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