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Tag: Canada

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

Canadians with long COVID are struggling with myriad symptoms and patchwork treatments

Published March 15, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Globe and Mail
Published on:
By Caora McKenna

A year ago, Sandy Choiniere was so weak from long COVID, she couldn’t hold her 20-month-old daughter in her arms while standing.

Today, she feels functional, but only because she’s being careful, listening to her body and resting when she needs to. “I sometimes still feel like a 35-year-old woman in the body of a 70-year-old lady,” she says. “Sometimes I have to cancel plans I have with friends because I am too tired,” something that has been hard to accept.

Ms. Choiniere is one of the Canadians who shared their stories of long COVID with The Globe and Mail in 2023. Twelve months later, we followed up to see how they’re doing.

Continue readingCanadians with long COVID are struggling with myriad symptoms and patchwork treatments
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Topic: MontrealView all posts for the topic: Montreal

Mask mandate reinstated in some Quebec health facilities following rise in measles cases

Published March 15, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CityNews
Published on:
By Miguel Fowke-Quintas

New data shows Quebec with 21 measles cases as of Friday 2 p.m., including 15 in Montreal.

According to the CIUSSS de l’Est, health centres in the eastern part of the island have responded by reinstating mask mandates and launching a vaccination campaign in elementary schools.

Notre-Dame and Sainte-Justine Hospitals are also among those requiring patients to wear masks to stop the spread.

“I feel like it’s necessary, especially to protect those who are more vulnerable,” said Montrealer Selena Ringwald. “Masking really doesn’t bother me, even as someone who has breathing issues after having COVID.”

Continue readingMask mandate reinstated in some Quebec health facilities following rise in measles cases
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Topic: measlesView all posts for the topic: measles

Doctors urge myth-busting, education to counter misinformation as measles cases rise

Published March 15, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Canadian Press
Published on:
By Camille Bains

It was a horrible thing to see this young girl who was brain dead. She died in that hospital. We were told that one in 1,000 people who got measles had a serious complication and one in 10,000 could die. You think that’s pretty rare but millions of kids got it before vaccination. So even though the percentage was low the absolute numbers were considerable.

Continue readingDoctors urge myth-busting, education to counter misinformation as measles cases rise
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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

Court certifies class actions against for-profit LTC providers accused of gross negligence during pandemic

Published March 14, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Ethan Lang

Class action lawsuits against six of Ontario’s largest for-profit long-term care (LTC) home providers, claiming gross negligence that led to illnesses and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been allowed to proceed.

In a ruling last week, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified class action suits against Sienna, Revera, Schlegel, Responsive, Extendicare and Chartwell.

The separate class actions were filed on behalf of thousands of clients, family members and visitors, who allege the companies were unprepared to provide care during the pandemic and failed to protect the health of residents and visitors.

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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

COVID-19 : six recours collectifs contre des foyers pour aînés iront de l’avant

Published March 14, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Radio-Canada
Published on:
By Camille Gris Roy

The Ontario Superior Court authorizes six class actions against private operators of long-term care homes charged with negligence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The complainants allege that the operators of these homes were not at all prepared for a pandemic and did not take the necessary measures to protect their residents and visitors. More than 200 centres, owned and managed by Chartwell Retirement Residences, Extendicare, Responsive Group, Revera, Schlegel Villages and Sienna Senior Living, are subject to these class actions.

Continue readingCOVID-19 : six recours collectifs contre des foyers pour aînés iront de l’avant
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Topic: ManitobaView all posts for the topic: Manitoba

Supreme Court will not hear appeal from churches who fought Manitoba COVID rules

Published March 14, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Globe and Mail / The Canadian Press
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The Supreme Court of Canada has decided not to hear an appeal by several churches that fought Manitoba’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Lawyers for the churches argued public health orders in 2020 and 2021 that temporarily closed in-person religious services, then permitted them with caps on attendance, violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

They lost that argument in two lower courts.

The Manitoba Court of Appeal ruled last year the restrictions were necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and allowable under the Charter.

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“Vulnerability isn’t seasonal”: DoNoHarm BC launches campaign to keep masks in BC healthcareTwo adults in N95 masks against a light blue background, one with long dark hair, assisting an elder with white hair using a walker. Black text reads, Vulnerability Isn’t Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. Have your say by April 1, 2024. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca
Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

“Vulnerability isn’t seasonal”: DoNoHarm BC launches campaign to keep masks in BC healthcare

Published March 14, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: DoNoHarm BC
Published on:

Vulnerable British Columbians call for continued protections from COVID-19, measles, and other airborne diseases

March 14, 2024 (British Columbia) – DoNoHarm BC, a grassroots group advocating for evidence-based public health measures, is leading a province-wide campaign to keep mask protections in BC medical settings. The campaign, “Vulnerability Isn’t Seasonal”, also calls to strengthen infection control with patient masking; wider use of N95 masks; and coverage in private practices like GP’s offices.

BC currently requires masks in hospitals and long-term care for staff, contractors, visitors and volunteers – but not for patients. While policy-makers have only guaranteed this measure for a “few months” over the winter, DoNoHarm BC notes that the last time BC discarded healthcare masking, multiple medical facilities suffered COVID outbreaks. At the time, removal of healthcare masking contradicted guidance from the World Health Organization, and prompted BC’s Human Rights Commissioner to state that the move “does not uphold a human rights centered approach to public health.”

Continue reading“Vulnerability isn’t seasonal”: DoNoHarm BC launches campaign to keep masks in BC healthcare
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa woman ‘outraged’ at $110 charge at Appletree clinic for routine cervical cancer screening

Published March 12, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Ottawa Citizen
Published on:
By Elizabeth Payne

Ontario’s Ministry of Health says it is launching an investigation into the practices of an Ottawa Appletree clinic after a woman was charged $110 to see a nurse practitioner for a routine cancer screening test.

Eileen Murphy says she registered with the Appletree clinic near Carling and Woodroffe last year because both she and her husband were without a family doctor. Their former doctor switched her practice from family medicine to dermatology in 2022.

Continue readingOttawa woman ‘outraged’ at $110 charge at Appletree clinic for routine cervical cancer screening
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Long COVID Patients Say WorkSafeBC Is Making Life Worse

Published March 11, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Tyee
Published on:
By Brishti Basu

Maryanne Andrew has been getting sicker and sicker since she caught COVID-19 in January 2022 while working in a Campbell River school.

And instead of helping, she says, WorkSafeBC’s attempts to require her to go back to work have made her symptoms worse.

Andrew is among more than two million Canadians still suffering from long-term COVID symptoms as of last summer, according to a Statistics Canada survey, which also found about half of the patients reported not seeing any improvements in their condition over time.

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Topic: PEIView all posts for the topic: PEI

COVID-19 outbreak in Montague hospital’s in-patient unit ends

Published March 10, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Stephen Brun

An outbreak of COVID-19 at Kings County Memorial Hospital’s in-patient unit is over, Health P.E.I. confirmed Sunday.

The outbreak at the hospital in Montague was declared on Feb. 22. Visitor restrictions were put in place to limit the number of partners-in-care per patient.

The health agency is encouraging visitors to the in-patient unit to wear a mask and to stay away if they feel ill.

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Topic: MontrealView all posts for the topic: Montreal

Radio | Quatre ans avec la COVID longue, le témoignage d’une famille montréalaise

Published March 10, 2024

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Published by: Radio-Canada / Tout terrain
Published on:

Three years after the WHO declared the pandemic, this report plunges into the heart of the upset daily life of a Montreal family affected by…

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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

Four years later, long COVID continues to upend lives in Quebec

Published March 9, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Montreal Gazette
Published on:
By Jesse Feith

Sylvie Gagnon has been struggling with the symptoms of long COVID since early 2023, when she caught the virus for a fourth time since the outset of the pandemic.

A business development manager, Gagnon has been off work ever since. Needing help with daily tasks, she’s had to move in with her son and daughter-in-law.

On the few days she manages to leave the house in Vaudreuil-Dorion, she wears sunglasses and earmuffs — the condition has played havoc with her senses, leaving her hypersensitive to light and noise. Her pressure spikes without warning. Any exercise causes extreme fatigue.

Continue readingFour years later, long COVID continues to upend lives in Quebec
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Topic: University of WaterlooView all posts for the topic: University of Waterloo

UW responds to open letter calling for more robust COVID-19 measures

Published March 8, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Imprint
Published on:
By Veronica Reiner

An open letter calling for UW to implement more robust COVID-19 measures has picked up traction, receiving an endorsement from the World Health Network as well as a response from the university.

The letter was addressed to UW senior administration by the COVID Action, Response, and Equity (CARE) Coalition, a group made up of students, faculty, staff and alumni. It has garnered about 150 signatures so far, including UW Climate Justice Ecosystem, the UW QTPOC KW, and the School of Public Health Sciences Graduate Students’ Association.

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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

Deux nouveaux cas de rougeole à Montréal, pour un total de 12 au Québec

Published March 7, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Radio-Canada / The Canadian Press
Published on:

The Quebec Ministry of Health reports on Thursday two more cases of measles, bringing to 12 the total number of confirmed infections in the province since the beginning of the year.

The Quebec Ministry of Health indicates that since the beginning of the year, two cases of measles have been reported in Laval, north of Montreal, and another in Mauricie–Centre-du-Québec.

The Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal states that seven cases reported in its territory, including the two new infections, are due to transmission in the community. The other two cases are related to international travel.

The regional agency says it is intensifying its efforts to trace the contacts of infected people.

Authorities said last Monday that the number of cases in Quebec was worrying, noting that measles vaccination rates were sometimes as low as 30% in some schools in Montreal.

Continue readingDeux nouveaux cas de rougeole à Montréal, pour un total de 12 au Québec
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Topic: advocacyView all posts for the topic: advocacy

La Société canadienne de la COVID lancée pour contrer les effets à long terme

Published March 6, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Radio-Canada
Published on:

A national not-for-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society was launched on Wednesday. Its co-founders say the organization is needed because public health agencies have given up on COVID-19 prevention and awareness campaigns.

“I feel that somehow we are filling a void that public health has left,” explained Dr. Joe Vipond, one of the society’s five co-founders, at a press conference.

In his home province of Alberta, “there is virtually no mention of COVID. There is no mention of long COVID. It really fell off the radar for a lot of public health at this point,” said Dr. Vipond, who is an emergency physician in Calgary.

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Topic: advocacyView all posts for the topic: advocacy

New Canadian Covid Society aims to address long-term effects

Published March 6, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

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

A national non-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society launched on Wednesday, with co-founders saying the organization is needed as public health agencies have pulled back on COVID-19 prevention measures and awareness campaigns.

“I feel in some ways we’re filling a gap where public health has left open,” Dr. Joe Vipond, one of the society’s five co-founders, said at a news conference.

In his home province of Alberta, “there’s basically no mention of COVID. There’s no mention of long COVID. It’s really fallen off the radar for a lot of public health at this point,” said Vipond, who is an emergency physician in Calgary.

Continue readingNew Canadian Covid Society aims to address long-term effects
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Topic: advocacyView all posts for the topic: advocacy

Canadian Covid Society launches to address long-term effects, prevent further illness

Published March 6, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CityNews / The Canadian Press
Published on:
By Nicole Ireland

A national non-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society launched on Wednesday, with co-founders saying the organization is needed as public health agencies have pulled back on COVID-19 prevention measures and awareness campaigns.

“I feel in some ways we’re filling a gap where public health has left open,” Dr. Joe Vipond, one of the society’s five co-founders, said at a news conference.

In his home province of Alberta, “there’s basically no mention of COVID. There’s no mention of long COVID. It’s really fallen off the radar for a lot of public health at this point,” said Vipond, who is an emergency physician in Calgary.

“While the acute phase of the pandemic has ended, the virus continues to cause significant chronic illness,” the Canadian Covid Society’s website says.

COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death across Canada in 2022, behind heart disease and cancer, it says.

“It still continues to be a stressor on our health system up to this present day. It is contributing to poor health and excess deaths,” said Dr. Kashif Pirzada, another co-founder of the society.

Continue readingCanadian Covid Society launches to address long-term effects, prevent further illness
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Topic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID

I’m back, long COVID never went away and world is still a mess

Published March 6, 2024

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Toronto Star
Published on:
By Heather Mallick

Star readers are the best and my Star readers are even better, a finer grind of bean. While I was off work recently recovering from long COVID, plus a medication error, I heard from many concerned subscribers.

Was I ill? On a lavish vacation? Was I returning? In the nicest possible way, I suspect they were checking if I were deceased, their emails being that little kick you give to possible roadkill. Is that inert coyote going to make it? Well, it looks pretty squished. Has anyone phoned her house?

Readers suggested cures, mainly vitamins and turmeric, but one recommended a device, electric copper rods that look like curling irons. I’m supposed to hold them in my hands, usually after dinner, the reader said. You can sit and watch the news, gently self-electrocuting.

Three and a half million Canadians have long COVID symptoms, but you hardly hear from them or about them, mainly because they work from home, if they work at all. Some symptoms are non-stop exhaustion, breathing difficulty, pain, headaches, insomnia, dizziness. Medical science offers no treatment yet.

Continue readingI’m back, long COVID never went away and world is still a mess
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