Tag: Canada

Published by: Times Colonist
Published on: April 8, 2024
By Cindy E. Harnett

As respiratory season winds down, a mask mandate in hospitals is being dropped but a COVID spring booster program is ramping up to strengthen waning protection for the most vulnerable.

“We are returning to the rules that were in place prior to respiratory illness season,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said Monday on the suspension of the mask mandate, likely to be a seasonal requirement.

The B.C. Health Ministry says given the decreased rates of viral respiratory infections in the community, additional infection prevention and control measures implemented last fall in health-care settings — such as masks — are no longer required at all times.

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lung disease

Severe COVID leads to higher risk of pulmonary fibrosis: research

Published April 8, 2024

Published by: CBC News
Published on: April 8, 2024

For Vancouver resident Farrell Eckman, having a long conversation or attending a workout class without breaking into coughs is a major accomplishment.

The 50-year-old is one of many people who researchers say developed pulmonary fibrosis — a condition that thickens the tissue in lungs and can affect breathing — after experiencing a severe case of COVID-19.

In January 2022, Eckman was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital because she was having trouble breathing along with flu-like symptoms.

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long COVID

Researchers say more support, education needed to help B.C. long-COVID patients

Published April 5, 2024

Published by: Global News
Published on: April 5, 2024
By Darrian Matassa-Fung

Better long-COVID awareness, education and support are needed for patients, according to Simon Fraser University researchers who conducted a study on the topic.

More education for health-care workers, including doctors and nurses, is one of the recommendations made in a report done by the SFU-based Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics and Society.

The report includes findings from two focus groups of unpaid caregivers, professional care providers, long-COVID researchers and people living with long COVID, identified as “longhaulers.”

“It’s an invisible and new condition,” said Kayli Jamieson, a longhauler who co-led the focus groups as part of a larger study with Kaylee Byers, an assistant professor in SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences. “Many people don’t believe that long COVID is real or exists. Unfortunately, that permeates through the healthcare system.”

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long COVID

More awareness and investment needed to support people with long COVID: SFU report

Published April 4, 2024

Published by: Simon Fraser University
Published on: April 4, 2024
By Jeff Hodson

It’s an invisible and new condition. Many people don’t believe that long COVID is real or exists. And unfortunately, that permeates through the healthcare system. Even outside of the medical system, there is a broader societal awareness that is lacking.

— Kayli Jamieson

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New Brunswick

3 COVID deaths recorded as N.B. cases increase slightly, child under 4 dies from flu

Published April 3, 2024

Published by: CBC News
Published on: April 3, 2024
By Hadeel Ibrahim

Three more New Brunswickers have died from COVID-19, and one child died of influenza, according to data from the province updated Wednesday.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have slightly increased, while influenza hospitalizations remained steady in the period of March 17 to March 23, according to the provincial Respiratory Watch report.

“COVID-19 activity remains moderate; some indicators (number of cases, percent positivity, and hospitalizations) increased slightly,” the report says.

The person who died of influenza was four years old or younger.

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telework

‘Telework’ Can Be a Life Changer

Published April 2, 2024

Published by: The Tyee
Published on: April 2, 2024
By Brishti Basu

If you are the family member of someone who’s highly immunocompromised, and you’re not able to protect yourself from infection in your workplace and your employer is insisting that you come back and work in an office where people have now shifted to the mindset that [COVID-19] is not that big a deal, if someone gets [sick] and you bring that home, that can be catastrophic.

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Paxlovid

Paxlovid to no longer be provided to provinces for free

Published April 1, 2024

Published by: CTV News
Published on: April 1, 2024
By Charles Lefebvre

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is no longer paying for an antiviral pill used to treat COVID-19.

The PHAC said it will no longer procure Paxlovid, which is intended to be used after being diagnosed with COVID, for provinces and territories.

“The provinces and territories are responsible for determining how best to implement and manage the available supply of COVID-19 therapeutics, including Paxlovid,” a spokesperson for Health Canada said in a statement.

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class action lawsuit

You may be eligible for LifeLabs class-action lawsuit, but you need to apply soon

Published April 1, 2024

Published by: CTV News
Published on: April 1, 2024
By Christl Dabu

Canadian LifeLabs customers have only a few days left to file an application for a class-action settlement resulting from a major data breach.

Those who live in Canada and used LifeLabs’ services on or before Dec. 17, 2019, may apply for the settlement, but must do so by the end of the week.

Settlement class members who complete a valid claim form before the Saturday deadline will be eligible to get an estimated compensation of $50 to $150.

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British Columbia

Number hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. hits new low for 2024 in latest update

Published March 28, 2024

Published by: CTV News
Published on: March 28, 2024
By Ian Holliday

The number of patients with COVID-19 in B.C. hospitals declined to its lowest level of 2024 in the latest data update from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

There were 133 test-positive patients in provincial hospitals as of Thursday, according to the BCCDC. The last published update to show a total lower than that was in August of last year, when the BCCDC reported just 76 patients hospitalized.

This week’s hospitalized population is less than half of what it was around this time last year. The final published update of March 2023 showed 294 patients in B.C. hospitals.

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Newfoundland and Labrador

Mask mandate to be lifted at N.L. hospitals Monday

Published March 28, 2024

Published by: CBC News
Published on: March 28, 2024

If you’re headed to the hospital on Monday, you won’t need to wear a mask as Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has updated its masking guidelines.

Masking had been required for patients and visitors at health-care facilities since February, but will no longer be required as of Monday, according to NL Health Services.

People who are seeking care and showing symptoms of viruses like COVID-19 will still be required to wear a mask. They can wear their own medical mask to the facility — but not a cloth mask — or get one on-site.

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vaccines

Do you need a spring COVID-19 vaccine? Research backs extra round for high-risk groups

Published March 28, 2024

Published by: CBC News
Published on: March 28, 2024
By Lauren Pelley

New guidelines suggest certain high-risk groups could benefit from having another dose of a COVID-19 vaccine this spring — and more frequent shots in general — while the broader population could be entering once-a-year territory, much like an annual flu shot.

Medical experts told CBC News that falling behind on the latest shots can come with health risks, particularly for individuals who are older or immunocompromised.

“Even when the risk of infection starts to increase, the vaccines still do a really good job at decreasing risk of severe disease,” said McMaster University researcher and immunologist Matthew Miller.

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measles

Le nombre de cas de rougeole en hausse au Canada

Published March 27, 2024

Published by: La Presse / The Canadian Press
Published on: March 27, 2024
By Nicole Ireland

The number of confirmed measles cases in Canada so far this year is more than three times higher than all infections recorded in 2023, the country’s public health official said, urging people to make sure their vaccines are up to date.

The Public Health Agency of Canada identified 40 confirmed cases across the country in 2024, its Chief Administrator, Dr. Theresa Tam, confirmed on Wednesday.

Tam expressed concern that an insufficient number of school-aged children have not been properly vaccinated against the highly contagious virus.

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measles

Measles cases in Canada are increasing, Canada’s chief public health officer warns

Published March 27, 2024

Published by: CTV News / The Canadian Press
Published on: March 27, 2024
By Nicole Ireland

The number of confirmed measles cases in Canada so far this year is more than three times higher than all infections recorded in 2023, the country’s chief public health officer said as she urged people to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 confirmed cases across the country in 2024, Dr. Theresa Tam said on Wednesday.

Tam said she is concerned that not enough school-aged children have been adequately vaccinated against the highly contagious virus.

“I strongly advise parents or caregivers to ensure that children in their care have received all measles vaccines according to schedule,” she said in an interview.

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British Columbia

Anti-COVID mandate protester found not guilty of criminal charges

Published March 27, 2024

Published by: CBC News
Published on: March 27, 2024

WARNING: This story contains offensive and racist language.

A Kelowna man charged with causing a disturbance after yelling at a security guard at a vaccine clinic has been found not guilty by a B.C. judge.

Bruce Orydzuk, 60, was captured on video repeatedly yelling at the guard, who was wearing a turban. The guard had asked him to leave the property of a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in July 2021.

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Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa Public Library to provide free solar eclipse glasses for residents

Published March 27, 2024

Published by: CTV News
Published on: March 27, 2024
By William Eltherington

The Ottawa Public Library will be providing free solar eclipse glasses to residents in anticipation of a partial solar eclipse on April 8.

While supplies last, the glasses that provide proper protection for eclipse viewing will include a printed handout with safety instructions.

The City of Ottawa says it will launch the initiative on Thursday, March 28. All library branches will have total solar eclipse glasses available for the public, starting when branches open on Thursday.

Officials say quantities of glasses are limited, so branches will run out before April 8.

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Ontario

Masking policy updated by Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance

Published March 27, 2024

Published by: CTV News
Published on: March 27, 2024
By Kristylee Varley

Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) is updating its masking policy.

“Based upon the most recent Public Health Ontario guidance, updates will be made…” read a release from the organization.

Effective immediately, masking will be “welcomed but no longer required,” in many clinical areas of HPHA hospital sites with the exception of emergency departments where masking is still required.

Masking will also still be required for anybody who has symptoms of respiratory infection such as cough, fever and sore throat. If you’re accompanying somebody with symptoms, you must also wear a mask.

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New Brunswick

3 more COVID deaths in New Brunswick, 4 youth among flu hospitalizations

Published March 26, 2024

Published by: CBC News
Published on: March 26, 2024
By Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon

Three more New Brunswickers have died from COVID-19, while no new influenza deaths have been reported, and hospitalizations for both viruses have decreased, updated data from the province Tuesday shows.

A child under four, and three youth aged five to 19 are among those hospitalized by the flu between March 10 and March 16, according to the Respiratory Watch report.

“COVID-19 activity remains moderate; some indicators (number of cases, percent positivity, and hospitalizations) decreased slightly during the current reporting period,” it says.

Influenza activity “slightly decreased” during the reporting week.

Of the three people who died, one was aged 45 to 64 and the other two were aged 65 or older.

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long COVID

Video | Elle espère guérir de la COVID longue depuis 4 ans

Published March 26, 2024

Published by: Radio-Canada
Published on: March 26, 2024
By Rad Vidéo

Family physician Caroline Grégoire suffers from post-COVID-19 syndrome [long COVID]. She shares her symptoms and her life’s struggle over the past four years: to manage her energy. She deplores the government’s lack of help and says her chronic fatigue has not always been taken seriously, or even invalidated, by healthcare workers.

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