Coronavirus Update: Scientists suggest GPHIN operate independently of government

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

Top headlines:

1. A group of top scientists have proposed relocating the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), the federal government’s early warning system that was silenced as the pandemic hit
2. Young, healthy people are ending up in intensive care units more often as the more contagious and deadlier variants take over, Canada’s chief public health officer says
3. A single person who travelled out of Alberta is believed to be responsible for triggering a “significant outbreak” of the P.1 COVID-19 variant

In the last 7 days, 44,294 cases were reported, up 29 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 215 deaths announced, up 13 per cent over the same period. At least 2,618 people are being treated in hospitals and 936,573 others are considered recovered.

Canada’s inoculation rate is 31st 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

• In Ontario, people over 50 in 13 hot spots will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks. Documents show the province considered a digital vaccine passport. Meanwhile, Toronto school boards announced a shift to remote learning starting tomorrow. And, new measures prevent concert venues from streaming shows.
• Alberta’s outbreak of the P.1 COVID-19 variant, first discovered in Brazil, is linked to a single person who travelled out of the province. The variant is now quickly spreading in parts of the Western provinces. Meanwhile, a survey says economic optimism is growing, fuelled by the vaccine.
• In Atlantic Canada, the chief medical health officers for each province are set to advise premiers about reopening the regional travel bubble next week. Premiers have proposed reopening the Atlantic bubble on April 19.
• Public health authorities in Quebec reported 1,168 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the seventh straight day that the province has reported more than 1,000 cases, prompting the province’s health minister to ask regional authorities to act quickly to shut down operations that aren’t respecting COVID-19 health rules.
• Saskatchewan plans to run deficits until 2026-27 to pay for the ongoing costs of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Ottawa, Canada’s top doctor said there is growing evidence people hospitalized with COVID-19 variants require intensive care at higher rates.

• The number of people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 rose four per cent in the last week, Dr. Theresa Tam said. The number of new admissions to intensive care units grew 18 per cent in the same period.
• One-third of patients currently hospitalized require intensive care, compared to less than one-fifth in mid-January at the peak of the second wave.

GPHIN: Top scientists propose moving the federal pandemic warning system outside government, to a university where it can work independently of government.

Coronavirus around the world

• U.S. President Joe Biden will announce that April 19 is the new deadline for states to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, according to an official
• Australia and New Zealand are set to open a landmark ‘travel bubble’ on April 19
• South Africa has signed a deal to buy 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
• In India, New Delhi imposed a nighttime curfew ahead of ‘critical’ four weeks in fight against COVID-19
• The World Health Organization does not back requiring COVID-19 vaccination passports for travel “at this stage”

Coronavirus and business

Spartan Bioscience Inc., the Canadian maker of a rapid COVID-19 test, is pausing shipments of the product due to a recently identified issue with the system.

• The Ottawa-based company says it’s seeking protection from creditors while it restructures its operations and refines the test’s performance.
• Spartan says it’s laying off 60 employees, or around 70 per cent of its workforce.

Also today: When the G20 meets tomorrow, it’s expected the world’s financial leaders will discuss the uneven economic recovery from COVID-19 crisis.

And: Toronto home sales and prices reached new highs in March, blowing past the previous record set during the 2016 real estate boom.

Globe opinion

• Gary Mason: Amid the third wave of COVID-19, our governments continue to fail us
• Editorial: Who should get the next round of shots? The people working so the rest of us can stay home
• Ubaka Ogbogu and Lorian Hardcastle: The worst part of COVID-19 vaccine nationalism? It will have the opposite effect on the world
• Hasan Sheikh and Munir Sheikh: Ontario’s COVID-19 failure stems from politicians’ inability to understand how people behave
• Rosalie Wyonch: Only true global consensus can guide the design of effective COVID-19 vaccine passports
• Carolyn Hughes Tuohy: Federalism can help end Canada’s long-term care crisis
• Paul W. Bennett: Online learning is here to stay in the postpandemic education system

More reporting

• Soccer: Some Toronto FC players and staff are starting to get COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida
• VistaJet expands its fleet of the Bombardier aircraft as COVID-19 spurs demand for business jets
• Workout spaces are becoming a home sales centrepiece as pandemic shifts buyers’ priorities
• Seven reasons for locked-down theatre fans to cheer up: 2 Pianos, 4 Hands – and one new Hannah Moscovitch play

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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