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.
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Topic: 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: NovavaxView all posts for the topic: Novavax
Analysis finds positive risk-benefit for Novavax COVID vaccine
An analysis of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine using clinical and real-world data found that the benefits outweighed the risk of myocarditis or pericarditis, a team…
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.
Topic: 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: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID
Video | Patients, advocates come to Washington for Long Covid Awareness Day
On Friday, dozens of people went to our nation’s capital to demand more action be taken to address long Covid. Patients, advocates, and activists demonstrated in front of the Lincoln Memorial for the first Long Covid Awareness Day.
“When you become a nurse, you swear to a code of ethics. This code is why I’m standing here today,” said Dara York who organized the rally.
York is a nurse and mother of three from California who is battling long Covid. She and others called on Congress and President Biden to provide more resources for prevention, research and treatment.
Comments closedTopic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID
‘Alarming’ rise in Americans with long Covid symptoms
Some 6.8% of American adults are currently experiencing long Covid symptoms, according to a new survey from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), revealing an “alarming” increase in recent months even as the health agency relaxes Covid isolation recommendations, experts say.
That means an estimated 17.6 million Americans could now be living with long Covid.
“This should be setting off alarms for many people,” said David Putrino, the Nash Family Director of the Cohen Center for Recovery From Complex Chronic Illness at Mount Sinai. “We’re really starting to see issues emerging faster than I expected.”
Comments closedTopic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario
Court certifies class actions against for-profit LTC providers accused of gross negligence during pandemic
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.
Comments closedTopic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario
COVID-19 : six recours collectifs contre des foyers pour aînés iront de l’avant
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.
Comments closedTopic: ManitobaView all posts for the topic: Manitoba
Supreme Court will not hear appeal from churches who fought Manitoba COVID rules
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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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia
“Vulnerability isn’t seasonal”: DoNoHarm BC launches campaign to keep masks in BC healthcare
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.”
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