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Tag: Canada

Topic: Waterloo RegionView all posts for the topic: Waterloo Region

COVID-19 outbreaks on the rise in Waterloo Region

Published December 29, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Waterloo Region Record
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The number of active COVID-19 outbreaks in high-risk settings increased by more than 50 per cent this past week, according to the Waterloo Region public health unit’s weekly dashboard update.

There are 15 outbreaks in high-risk settings — up from seven last week — including two in congregate settings, such as group homes or shelters, one in hospital and 12 in long-term care/retirement homes.

One new death was reported. So far this year, COVID-19 has been a direct or contributing cause in 41 deaths reported by public health in the region.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

An Alberta New Year’s Wish for a Working Public Health System

Published December 29, 2023

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Published by: The Tyee
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By Lisa Young

When approving the advertising campaign, the government’s revisions “included the removal of details about vaccine eligibility, immunization locations by age group and the types of vaccines being offered and their efficacy against different strains of COVID-19 and influenza. Two lines that encouraged Albertans to book vaccination appointments were also deleted.”

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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

BCHU winds down COVID-19 vaccination clinics

Published December 27, 2023

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Published by: The Brantford Expositor
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By Expositor staff

Community COVID-19 vaccine clinics operated by the Brant County Health Unit are winding down at the end of this month due to cessation of provincial funding.

Starting January 2, the BCHU will only offer COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children ages six months to 12 years of age. Bookings for that age group can be made online at bchu.org/covid-19-vaccines/.

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Topic: brain damageView all posts for the topic: brain damage

Brain damage caused by COVID-19 may not show up on routine tests, study finds

Published December 27, 2023

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Published by: Salon
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By Matthew Rozsa

Our study shows that markers of brain injury are present in the blood months after COVID-19, and particularly in those who have had a COVID-19-induced brain complication (e.g. inflammation, or stroke), despite resolution of the inflammatory response in the blood. This suggests the possibility of ongoing inflammation and injury inside the brain itself which may not be detected by blood tests for inflammation.

Continue readingBrain damage caused by COVID-19 may not show up on routine tests, study finds
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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

Débordements dans des salles d’urgence d’une majorité de régions du Québec

Published December 27, 2023

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Published by: Le Devoir / The Canadian Press
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By Jean-Philippe Denoncourt

The fall in occupancy rates in Quebec’s emergency rooms that began on 19 December ended on Tuesday.

The Index Santé website noted that this average rate had risen to 95% on 26 December, before jumping to 112% on Wednesday morning, shortly before 6 a.m., which was considered very high.

Continue readingDébordements dans des salles d’urgence d’une majorité de régions du Québec
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Topic: Waterloo RegionView all posts for the topic: Waterloo Region

Waterloo region’s COVID booster rate lags behind national average

Published December 26, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Kate Bueckert

The number of people in Waterloo region who have received their most recent COVID-19 booster shot is just under 11 per cent, which is below the national average.

The region’s vaccination dashboard shows 10.9 per cent of people in the community are up-to-date on their vaccinations as of Dec. 7. The region notes “up to date” means a person has completed their primary series and received a booster dose within the previous six months.

The number of people who have received the updated XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine sits at 10.8 per cent, the region told CBC News in an email.

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Topic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID

Canada enters 5th year of COVID-19. Are we falling short in treatment?

Published December 26, 2023

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Published by: Global News
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By Katie Dangerfield

As Canada enters its fifth year navigating COVID-19, some experts and advocates are worried treatment options for the virus remain disappointingly inadequate.

Despite significant strides in understanding the virus, Jennifer Hulme, a 42-year-old emergency physician at the University Health Network in Toronto, says many Canadians suffering from long-term COVID-19 are left without many options.

She is one of them.

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Topic: rapid testsView all posts for the topic: rapid tests

Rapid test supplier BTNX says Canadians can rely on its device’s accuracy

Published December 23, 2023

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Published by: Global News
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By Patti Sonntag

BTNX, the Canadian rapid test supplier that won an estimated $2 billion in federal contracts, denied that Health Canada used BTNX’s edited study to evaluate the rapid test kit that the federal government later purchased.

A year-long investigation into federal procurement published by Global News on Thursday revealed that Toronto area-based BTNX deleted dozens of specimens, or samples, from a study it submitted to Health Canada. That evaluation showed how well the company’s test detected COVID-19.

Continue readingRapid test supplier BTNX says Canadians can rely on its device’s accuracy
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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

Almonte General Hospital temporarily closing ER Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning

Published December 23, 2023

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ted Raymond

The emergency department at the Almonte General Hospital in Almonte, Ont. will be temporarily closed Saturday.

The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) said in a news release Saturday that the closure would be in effect from 3 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. The rest of the hospital will remain open and care for patients continues.

The emergency department will be closed because of a staffing shortage, the hospital says.

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Nova Scotia surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 deathsPhoto of a sign over a highway with capitalized red text on a charcoal grey background that reads: "COVID-19 is deadly stop the spread stay home".
Topic: Nova ScotiaView all posts for the topic: Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 deaths

Published December 22, 2023

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Published by: CBC News
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By Richard Woodbury

Nova Scotia has reached a solemn milestone, surpassing 1,000 COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

“A thousand people in a province of a million people is a lot of humans and families that are missing people,” said Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases doctor and researcher at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Data released in the latest weekly respiratory watch report shows an additional nine deaths for the week of Dec. 10-16, bringing the total to 1,004 in the province.

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Topic: Nova ScotiaView all posts for the topic: Nova Scotia

‘Extreme shortages’ expected at N.S. emergency departments over the holidays: union

Published December 22, 2023

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Published by: Global News
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By Alex Cooke

The largest union in Nova Scotia says “extreme shortages” are expected in emergency departments during the holidays as many health-care workers are off work and there aren’t enough staff to cover absences.

Sandra Mullen, president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, said the issue is especially pronounced at the Halifax Infirmary, one of the busiest hospitals in the province.

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Topic: Hamilton RegionView all posts for the topic: Hamilton Region

HHS closes urgent care for two days amid staff shortages, congestion at hospitals

Published December 21, 2023

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Published by: The Hamilton Spectator
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By Joanna Frketich

Staffing shortages will close a Hamilton urgent care centre for two days at the same time city emergency departments are becoming increasingly congested with flu, COVID-19 and RSV patients.

With just 13 per cent of Hamiltonians getting a COVID shot in the past six months, local hospitals are bracing for the viral surge to continue climbing over the holidays.

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COVID test supplier received billions in pandemic contracts after submitting edited resultsPhoto of two white COVID-19 rapid tests, and a green box with the text Rapid Response COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device
Topic: rapid testsView all posts for the topic: rapid tests

COVID test supplier received billions in pandemic contracts after submitting edited results

Published December 21, 2023

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Published by: Global News
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By Patti Sonntag

A rapid test importer landed an estimated $2 billion in federal contracts in 2021 and 2022, despite giving regulators incomplete data about its product’s accuracy, Global News has found.

A year-long investigation into federal procurement revealed that BTNX, a small rapid test supplier based outside Toronto, deleted dozens of specimens, or samples, from a study it submitted to Health Canada. That evaluation showed how well the company’s test detected COVID-19.

The deletions made BTNX’s test appear more reliable and sensitive than it really was, according to researchers Global News consulted.

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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

RVH implements universal masking amid rising respiratory illness rates

Published December 20, 2023

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Published by: CTV News
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By Kim Phillips

Simcoe County’s largest health centre is taking action to protect patients, visitors and its staff from the increasing rates of respiratory illnesses in the region by returning to universal masking.

On Wednesday, officials with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie announced that visitors would be required to wear a hospital-issued mask upon entry, effective immediately.

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Ottawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑20Photo 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 | 2023‑12‑20

Published December 20, 2023

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

📈 The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal for Ottawa has increased substantially (+1,735%) since a low on July 12, 2023. It is extremely high.

⚠️ The percent positivity is extremely high (16.27% in Ottawa; 27.2% in the Outaouais).

🏥 Confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ottawa hospitals: 158 ( decrease of 6).

In 2023, there have been 131 COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa’s hospitals so far, leading to 21 deaths and 1,061 known cases of COVID-19.

Continue readingOttawa-Gatineau community update | 2023‑12‑20
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Topic: NunavutView all posts for the topic: Nunavut

Be cautious as trio of illnesses circulate in communities, Nunavummiut warned

Published December 20, 2023

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Published by: Nunatsiaq News
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By Kierstin Williams

With winter increasing the spread of three illnesses across the territory, Nunavut’s chief public health officer is urging people to take steps to protect themselves.

There are 75 confirmed cases of flu; 16 cases of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus; and 12 cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, Dr. Sean Wachtel said Tuesday.

But the actual number of people sickened is probably higher than that, he said.

Continue readingBe cautious as trio of illnesses circulate in communities, Nunavummiut warned
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