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Month: December 2023

COVID-19 overwhelms OntarioElectron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. Photo by: NIAID. Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

COVID-19 overwhelms Ontario

Published December 15, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Kingston Whig Standard
Published on:
By Geoffrey P. Johnston

“We have to be able to have open conversations about the reality of COVID and not pretend that it’s not there,” infectious disease expert Dr. Dick Zoutman told the Whig-Standard in a candid interview about the terrible toll that the pandemic is taking on public health.

Data published by Public Health Ontario on Dec. 7 reveals that the COVID-19 Wastewater Signal for Eastern Ontario is rising on a steep curve. In other words, SARS-CoV-2, the airborne virus that causes COVID-19, is spreading out of control, sickening adults and children alike.

Continue readingCOVID-19 overwhelms Ontario
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Topic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID

Study shows long COVID worse for patients than ‘long flu’

Published December 15, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CIDRAP
Published on:
By Stephanie Soucheray

In the 18 months after a serious COVID-19 or seasonal influenza infection, patients are at a significant increased risk of death, hospital readmission, or health problems affecting a number of organs, though COVID patients are hit harder, according to a study published yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

The study was led by Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, the chief of research and development at the VA St. Louis Health Care System and a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University. Al-Aly has been studying long COVID for the past 3 years, and has been interested in studying the differences between the acute and chronic phases of the disease.

Continue readingStudy shows long COVID worse for patients than ‘long flu’
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Topic: United StatesView all posts for the topic: United States

COVID and flu surge could strain hospitals as JN.1 variant grows, CDC warns

Published December 15, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBS News
Published on:
By Alexander TIn

Hospitals and emergency rooms could be forced to ration care by the end of this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Thursday, saying recent trends in COVID-19 and influenza are now on track to again strain America’s health care system. The new COVID variant JN.1 is making up an increasing share of cases, the CDC’s tracking shows.

“COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising quickly,” the agency said in its weekly update. “Since the summer, public health officials have been tracking a rise in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which is caused by COVID-19. Influenza activity is growing in most parts of the country. RSV activity remains high in many areas.”

Continue readingCOVID and flu surge could strain hospitals as JN.1 variant grows, CDC warns
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Many Canadians have had long COVID for almost 4 years. Researchers say there’s hopeSonja Mally is photographed near her home in Toronto, on Monday, March 14, 2022. She has long, light brown hair and she is wearing a black jacket. In the background, there are black bricks with silver and gold graffiti. Photo: The Canadian Press/Chris Young.
Topic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID

Many Canadians have had long COVID for almost 4 years. Researchers say there’s hope

Published December 15, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News / The Canadian Press
Published on:
By Nicole Ireland

Four years ago, Sonja Mally was a busy tattoo artist with a photographic memory and penchant for long hikes.

Now, the 38-year-old Toronto woman considers it a good day if she can do a small drawing, muster the energy to walk around the block or “perform very basic tasks.”

“It’s a hard thing to have to explain to people why maybe one day you might be doing fine and the next day you can’t find the words to complete a sentence,” Mally said.

Continue readingMany Canadians have had long COVID for almost 4 years. Researchers say there’s hope
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Topic: convoy occupationView all posts for the topic: convoy occupation

Did the protesters mean harm? That’s at the heart of bid to toss convoy class-action

Published December 15, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Elyse Skura

A $300-million proposed class-action lawsuit filed against convoy protesters, donors and organizers on behalf of people who live or work in Ottawa is facing another challenge, with lawyers arguing the case seeks to unfairly limit fundamental freedoms.

Continue readingDid the protesters mean harm? That’s at the heart of bid to toss convoy class-action
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‘The highest levels they’ve been ever’: Wastewater testing shows growing spread of COVID-19Photo of some white N95 respirators and blue medical masks with white straps.
Topic: Waterloo RegionView all posts for the topic: Waterloo Region

‘The highest levels they’ve been ever’: Wastewater testing shows growing spread of COVID-19

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News
Published on:
By Tyler Kelaher

“The levels of [COVID-19] are at the highest levels they’ve been ever […] There’s hundreds or even thousands of people that have COVID-19 right now.”

Continue reading‘The highest levels they’ve been ever’: Wastewater testing shows growing spread of COVID-19
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Alberta’s COVID death toll up by 36 since last week, with 177 more hospitalizations

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
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By Robson Fletcher

Another 36 Albertans have died from COVID, according to the latest weekly data released by the province on Thursday.

That brings the death toll for the current season to 306.

Continue readingAlberta’s COVID death toll up by 36 since last week, with 177 more hospitalizations
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Hospital surge beds added as pressure grows in Alberta’s intensive care units

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

Alberta hospitals are squeezing in extra intensive care unit beds as respiratory virus cases balloon and ICUs fill up.

Alberta Health Services has added 17 adult surge beds since last week — 12 in Edmonton and 5 in Calgary— bringing the total to 240.

Continue readingHospital surge beds added as pressure grows in Alberta’s intensive care units
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

COVID outbreak declared on fifth floor of Nanaimo hospital

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Times Colonist
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By Carla Wilson

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared on the fifth floor of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

As of Thursday, a total of 10 hospital-acquired cases had been attributed to the outbreak. All patients are experiencing mild illness, an Island Health official said.

Continue readingCOVID outbreak declared on fifth floor of Nanaimo hospital
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The COVID Times newsletter – the activist edition, December 2023Photo of three white and blue N95 respirators.
Topic: newslettersView all posts for the topic: newsletters

The COVID Times newsletter – the activist edition, December 2023

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Welcome to the December issue of The COVID Times, a newsletter to provide updates and tips for navigating life as a COVID-safe person in Canada.

In this edition, we’ve included some opportunities for advocacy — if you have some time off, it could be nice to take a moment to write some emails.

Continue readingThe COVID Times newsletter – the activist edition, December 2023
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Topic: Newfoundland and LabradorView all posts for the topic: Newfoundland and Labrador

Arguing long COVID is being downplayed, an advocate has launched this St. John’s billboard

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Elizabeth Whitten

A new billboard has popped up along a prominent road in St. John’s, warning people of the long-term effects of COVID-19 and to take precautionary measures.

The Topsail Road sign — which says “Long COVID ruins lives. Mask up” — was organized not by health officials, but a group concerned about the impact of the disease.

Continue readingArguing long COVID is being downplayed, an advocate has launched this St. John’s billboard
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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

En plus de la COVID-19, la grippe H1N1 inquiète

Published December 14, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: La Presse
Published on:
By Louise Leduc, Pierre-André Normandin

Since October, only 16% of Quebecers have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and 17.5% against influenza, this year’s flu (H1N1) that Public Health still fears. The main concern of authorities? The fact that just over one in two Quebecers, among those aged 70 and over, was vaccinated.

Continue readingEn plus de la COVID-19, la grippe H1N1 inquiète
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ten additional COVID-19 deaths reported in Ottawa in past week

Published December 13, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Ottawa Citizen
Published on:
By Elizabeth Payne

Ten Ottawa residents have died of COVID-19 over the past week as the pandemic wave that began in the summer continues, fueled by new sub-variants and the busy season for social gatherings.

Ottawa Public Health reported the 10 new deaths in its latest update on COVID-19, published Wednesday. A total of 1,185 Ottawa residents have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began nearly four years ago.

Continue readingTen additional COVID-19 deaths reported in Ottawa in past week
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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

Kingston General Hospital ‘bursting at the seams’ with COVID-19 and respiratory illness patients

Published December 13, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News
Published on:
By William Eltherington

The Kingston General Hospital says a surge of emergency department inpatients, including a day that had a near record 580 admissions, has the hospital struggling to keep up as the respiratory virus season peaks across the province.

Continue readingKingston General Hospital ‘bursting at the seams’ with COVID-19 and respiratory illness patients
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Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑13Photo of Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court, and the Ottawa River in Ottawa. There is snow on the ground and part of the river is covered with snow and ice. It’s a sunny day, with a blue sky.
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑13

Published December 13, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+2,069%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.

⚠️ The 7-day average of percent positivity is extremely high (19.28%).

🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 164 ( increase of 8).

In 2023, there have been 129 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 20 deaths and 1,027 known cases of COVID-19.

Continue readingOttawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑13
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Topic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID

Le mystère entourant la COVID longue limite les capacités de traitements

Published December 13, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Le Devoir / The Canadian Press
Published on:
By Ugo Giguère

Four years after the first cases of what was later called COVID-19, infections continue to spread and lead to new cases of long COVID. However,…

Continue readingLe mystère entourant la COVID longue limite les capacités de traitements
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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

Strained Kingston hospital asks sick people to skip holiday gatherings

Published December 13, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
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By Joseph Tunney

With a surge of patients with respiratory illnesses being cared for in its hallways, the Kingston Health Sciences Centre is reminding people to stay home if they’re feeling sick to cut back the spread — even if it means missing that holiday party.

Continue readingStrained Kingston hospital asks sick people to skip holiday gatherings
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Topic: The NetherlandsView all posts for the topic: The Netherlands

Recordaantal coronavirusdeeltjes in het rioolwater

Published December 12, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: BNNVARA
Published on:

Never before have so many coronavirus particles been found in the wastewater as now. Coronavirus variant watcher Josette Schoenmakers reports this on X. At the time of writing, the national government’s coronavirus dashboard has not yet been updated with the most recent data.

Continue readingRecordaantal coronavirusdeeltjes in het rioolwater
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