When Dr. Garth Graham thinks about health misinformation on social media platforms, he envisions a garden. No matter how bountiful or verdant that garden is, even…
Comments closedTag: Canada
Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia
COVID-19 hospitalizations drop in weekly BCCDC update
The number of COVID-positive patients in B.C. hospitals declined this week, according to the latest data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
There were 148 test-positive patients in hospitals across the province as of Thursday, a decrease of 15 – or about nine per cent – from the 163 reported in hospital at this time last week.
The latest data continues the trend of relatively stable hospitalization levels seen throughout 2024 so far, with the first update of the year remaining the only one to show more than 200 COVID patients receiving hospital treatment.
Comments closedTopic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec
Quebecers over 80 are urged to get COVID vaccine booster this spring
Quebec’s immunization committee is recommending a booster dose of the monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine this spring to seniors ages 80 and over as well as to people who are immunocompromised or on dialysis.
The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and certain parts of the population remain more vulnerable to the virus, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) said this week in publishing its vaccination recommendations.
A person vaccinated against COVID-19 is less likely to develop serious illness, but a gradual decrease in this protection is observed over a period of six months following vaccination. A booster dose is therefore necessary to maintain adequate protection, the INSPQ notes in its most recent opinion.
Comments closedTopic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec
Vaccination contre la COVID-19: l’INSPQ publie ses recommandations pour le printemps
The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and some population groups remain more vulnerable to the virus. This week, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) published its vaccination recommendations for spring 2024.
A person vaccinated against COVID-19 is less likely to develop a serious illness, but a gradual decrease in this protection is observed over a period of six months after vaccination. A booster dose is thus necessary to maintain adequate protection, recalls the INSPQ in its latest opinion.
Serious complications of COVID-19 are much more common in people 80+ years of age. For this age group, about one in 30 infected people must be hospitalized. For those aged 60 to 79, the incidence of hospitalizations and deaths is lower, except for those living with a chronic disease.
Continue readingVaccination contre la COVID-19: l’INSPQ publie ses recommandations pour le printemps
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Topic: measlesView all posts for the topic: measles
Measles is highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable: A primer on recent outbreaks, transmission, symptoms and complications, including ‘immune amnesia’
Canada is seeing a resurgence of measles, with cases in the first quarter of 2024 already far surpassing the total for all of 2023. There were 12 cases last year, and more than three times that number so far in 2024, with 38 reported as of March 19.
Most of these cases (28) are in Québec, and eight are in Ontario, while Saskatchewan and British Columbia have each reported one case.
As an immunologist with a focus on host-microbe interactions and antiviral immunity, I have been following recent measles outbreaks.
Comments closedTopic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau
Respiratory virus levels mostly steady, but 13 flu hospitalizations in latest update
Respiratory disease levels have remained mostly steady in the past week, Ottawa Public Health says in its latest update.
Influenza remains a major concern with 13 more patients hospitalized in the seven days ended March 16. There were 14 new hospitalizations for COVID-19, which OPH described as “low and decreasing since last week.”
There were 45 more confirmed COVID-19 cases, about half of them in patients 65 years of age and older.
Continue readingRespiratory virus levels mostly steady, but 13 flu hospitalizations in latest update
Comments closed Topic: pandemic responseView all posts for the topic: pandemic response
Video | Four years in, Dr. Raj Bhardwaj discusses how far we’ve come in Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020
CBC Calgary’s weekly health columnist, Dr. Raj Bhardwaj, discusses what we’ve learned and how far we’ve come with science and treatments since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments closedTopic: New BrunswickView all posts for the topic: New Brunswick
Spring COVID-19 vaccines available April 2 for high-risk New Brunswickers
Spring COVID-19 vaccines will be available April 2 to New Brunswickers considered most at risk of severe illness.
This includes people aged 65 or older, residents of nursing homes and adult residential facilities, and immunocompromised people aged six months or older, the Department of Health said in a news release Monday.
Comments closedTopic: pandemic responseView all posts for the topic: pandemic response
Radio | Dr. Raj Bhardwaj on COVID-19
It’s been four years since the world shut down due to COVID-19. House doctor Raj Bhardwaj joins us with a look at what we have learned about the virus since those early days.
Comments closedTopic: measlesView all posts for the topic: measles
Video | Doit-on craindre une épidémie de rougeole ?
Microbiologist and Cégep de l’Outaouais professor Patrick Fillion answers your questions about measles.
Comments closedTopic: Nova ScotiaView all posts for the topic: Nova Scotia
High-risk groups can now book spring COVID-19 vaccination
People considered to have the highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 can now make an appointment online for a spring dose of the vaccine.
The dose will be available from March 25 to May 31.
Those who are eligible to book for the vaccination include:
- People aged 65 or older;
- People aged 18 and older living in long-term care, nursing homes, senior congregate living settings or residential care facilities;
- People who are six months and older who meet the criteria for being moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment;
- People aged 50 years and older who identify as Black, African Nova Scotian or First Nations.
A second lab-confirmed case of measles has been identified in Toronto.
The city’s public health agency said that an infant who recently returned from travel has contracted the disease. The child is recovering at home.
The first Toronto case was identified on Feb. 16.
Toronto Public Health is warning that anyone who attended the Agincourt Public Library between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on March 11 may have been exposed. Individuals should monitor for symptoms until April 1 and double check that their vaccinations are up to date.
Comments closedTopic: PEIView all posts for the topic: PEI
Older P.E.I. residents, others at risk, urged to get spring COVID vaccine booster
Prince Edward Islanders should be considering whether they need a COVID vaccine booster before the end of May, says Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison.
In a news release Monday morning, Morrison said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has released updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccine boosters for this spring.
Comments closedTopic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario
Manitoulin Health Centre COVID 19 Assessment Centre & Testing closing this week
The Manitoulin Health Centre on Manitoulin Island is closing its testing centre for COVID.
President and CEO Paula Fields says the last day for specimen collection at the Centre is this Friday, March 22nd.
She says since the beginning of the pandemic, the Centre has provided safe and timely access to COVID-19 testing and thanks everyone who played a role in relieving pressure off the emergency departments and in protecting Island communities.
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia
Advocacy group calls for stronger mask requirements in B.C.
Advocacy group launches province-wide campaign to strengthen mask protections in healthcare.
DoNoHarm BC, a grassroots group advocating for public health measures, is campaigning to keep mask protections in the healthcare industry year-long.
In a release, the organization says healthcare workers are not required to stay masked everywhere. Last April, they were able to stop masking in various settings, including in ERs, children’s hospitals, and cancer centres.
“B.C. currently requires masks in hospitals and long-term care for staff, contractors, visitors, and volunteers – but not for patients,” DoNoHarm BC said in a news release.
“While policy-makers have only guaranteed this measure for a “few months” over the winter, DoNoHarm BC notes the last time BC discarded healthcare masking, multiple medical facilities suffered COVID outbreaks.”
Comments closedTopic: measlesView all posts for the topic: measles
Canada heading toward major measles outbreak without vaccine boost, new modelling suggests
As measles cases keep appearing in more parts of the country, new projections suggest there’s a high chance Canada may experience a “sizable outbreak” — with anywhere from dozens to thousands of people infected if the disease strikes communities with low vaccination rates.
As of Friday, at least 31 cases of measles have been reported so far this year across Canada, according to a CBC News tally of provincial and regional figures released by public health teams.
That’s already the largest annual total since 2019 and more than double the number of cases reported last year, as medical experts fear the number will rise while more Canadians travel in and out of the country this month for March break.
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