Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- Ottawa was told about potential problems at the Public Health Agency of Canada, top doctors say
- Europe hesitant to declare a second wave before deaths catch up to peak numbers
- The unrelenting stress of COVID-19 has pushed some Canadian couples to counselling and divorce
In Canada, there have been at least 186,881 cases reported. In the last week 14,665 new cases were announced, 4 per cent more than the previous week.
There have also been at least 157,486 recoveries and 9,654 deaths. Today, 19 new deaths were reported.
Worldwide, there have been at least 37,801,526 cases confirmed and 1,080,680 deaths reported.
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 • Mask-wearing rules • Back to school guide • Essential resources
Photo of the day
Coronavirus in Canada
- Quebec moved three new regions to the maximum “red” alert and reported 815 new cases today, the lowest figure since the end of September.
- In Ontario, agri-food businesses can now apply for federal funding for personal protective equipment and other pandemic health measures. Meanwhile, Toronto anti-masker Christopher Saccoccia, who also goes by Chris Sky, was arrested in New Brunswick for allegedly violating the province’s mask rules.
- New Brunswick reported six new cases and an outbreak at a special-care home in Campbellton.
In Ottawa, the federal government was warned years ago that the Public Health Agency of Canada was destined for serious problems unless changes were made to its oversight, but those concerns were ignored, two of Canada’s top doctors say.
- A steady erosion of scientific capacity and a chronic shortage of resources over the past decade have left the agency unable to do its job properly, public-health experts Perry Kendall and Paul Gully said.
- Recent problems, including the mishandling of the country’s pandemic early warning system, emergency stockpile shortages and allegations that scientists were forced to “dumb down” reports for senior government officials, are all symptoms of a larger ailment afflicting the agency, the doctors said.
Also today, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam, said trick-or-treating should be possible this Halloween as long as parents follow local public-health guidelines.
And: The unrelenting stress of COVID-19 has pushed some Canadian couples to counselling and divorce
Coronavirus around the world
- Eli Lilly and Co. said the U.S. government-sponsored clinical trial of its COVID-19 antibody treatment, similar to one taken by President Donald Trump, has been paused because of a safety concern. Eli made the announcement one day after Johnson & Johnson said it was forced to pause a large high-profile trial of its experimental coronavirus vaccine because a volunteer fell ill.
- Cases of COVID-19 are climbing across Europe but some scientists and doctors are hesitant to call it a full-blown second wave. The fatality rates – so far – are not nearly as high as they were during the peak of the pandemic.
- Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for COVID-19, Portugal’s Football Federation said in a statement on its website on Tuesday.
Coronavirus and business
Cineplex’s chief executive officer said restrictions that have again closed 22 of its 68 theatres are “excessive” and argued cinemas are “fundamentally different” from other indoor retail environments.
Also today: Amid a second wave of the pandemic, some parents are struggling to decide if they can afford not to work or pay for full-time child care.
And: Porter Airlines delayed the restart of operations by another five weeks to mid-December.
Globe opinion
Bharat Masrani: “Future generations will look back at our response to COVID-19 and judge us by how we supported those who were disproportionately impacted – how we came together to lift each other up in the wake of this crisis.”
Kevin Bryan: “The upshot is clear: Tailoring restrictions appropriately during a second-wave lockdown is crucial. On both economic and long-term health grounds, we should endeavour to keep open upstream sectors such as manufacturing, transportation and natural resource extraction.”
More reporting
- Federal funds to help women and families fleeing violence during the pandemic are temporary solutions to long-term problems, experts in the anti-violence sector say.
- Almost two in five Canadians say their personal finances deteriorated during the first wave of the pandemic, according to a new affordability report.
- Ontario is determining which long-term care homes will get additional assistance from the Canadian Red Cross.
- Some postsecondary schools are turning to remote programs to catch online cheaters.
- Peru opens Machu Picchu for a single tourist.
Information centre
- 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. What to cook with rhubarb (aside from pie).
- Here’s what you should do if you are newly laid off; how to apply for CERB, EI, and other financial benefits; how the CRA might identify CERB fraud; and other coronavirus and employment questions answered. What to do if your employees don’t return to work because they want to collect CERB.
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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