Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: Toronto

Ontario sees first measles death in more than a decade after young child dies

A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.

The child, who was under the age of five, was not immunized against the virus, according to the report, which was published on Thursday.

The report also confirms this is the first measles death in the province in more than a decade.

Public Health Ontario says that there have been 22 confirmed cases of measles reported in the province in 2024. Of those individuals, 13 were children and nine were adults. Four of the adults were previously immunized, two were unimmunized, and two had an unknown immunization status.

Comments closed

Number of Ontario measles cases nears 10-year high as Peel Region confirms new case

Health officials in Peel Region have confirmed a Mississauga resident has contracted measles, as the total number of cases in the province approaches a 10-year high.

In a news release on Tuesday, Peel Public Health confirmed its second case of measles this year. Officials did not disclose how the man got infected but provided locations where the public may have been exposed.

Those who were at Silver Creek Convenience and Health Care Medical Clinic on May 10 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., as well as Trillium Health Partners Mississauga Site Emergency Room at 9:15 a.m. on May 10 and 6:15 p.m. on May 11, are being advised to contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 immediately.

Comments closed

COVID-19 virus disrupts protein production, study finds

When SARS-CoV-2 enters our cells, it disrupts the process of making proteins, which are essential for our cells to work correctly. A particular SARS-CoV-2 protein called Nsp1 has a crucial role in this process. It stops ribosomes, the machinery that makes proteins, from doing their job effectively. The virus is like a clever saboteur inside our cells, making sure its own needs are met while disrupting our cells’ ability to defend themselves.

— Talya Yerlici, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Comments closed

Second case of measles confirmed in Toronto

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 closed

Homeless people in Toronto more likely to get COVID again compared to housed population: study

People who are homeless have high rates of COVID-19 reinfection, putting the health of an already vulnerable population at further risk, a study published Friday in the BMC Infectious Diseases journal says.

Homeless people in Toronto who had COVID-19 were more than twice as likely to get it again as people who had housing, said lead author Lucie Richard, a senior research associate at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Comments closed

Toronto may be past its flu peak, but COVID-19 remains high, public health agency says

Toronto likely reached its influenza season peak in December, but according to Toronto Public Health’s latest respiratory illness update, COVID-19 infections are expected to remain high for now.

The percentage of positive influenza tests dropped to 6.6 per cent the week of Dec. 31 to Jan. 6, down from 15.6 per cent the week prior, Toronto Public Health (TPH) told the city’s Board of Health Monday. When it comes to COVID-19, positivity dropped only slightly to 17.6 per cent for the week of Dec. 31 to Jan. 6 from 18.6 per cent the week before.

But getting over the influenza peak doesn’t mean there aren’t still high levels of the illness in the city.

Comments closed

With COVID-19 clinics set to close, Toronto wants to focus on boosting student immunization rates

With four of Toronto’s temporary COVID-19 vaccination sites set to close for good, the city is hoping to switch focus to boosting immunization rates for school-aged children.

Provincial funding will soon run out, meaning “fixed-site” vaccination clinics at Metro Hall, Cloverdale Mall, North York Civic Centre and one near Scarborough Town Centre will close after Dec. 13, the city announced in a release Monday.

Comments closed

Toronto ER doctor says winter surge of respiratory illnesses has begun

Toronto emergency room doctors say the winter surge of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections is underway, with hospitals seeing a wave of visits across the GTA.

In the last week, nearly 250 Ontarians have been admitted to hospital, and Public Health Ontario (PHO) reports the COVID-19 wastewater signal is at its highest level in more than a year.

Comments closed

Toronto residents are confused about vaccination clinics closing as Ontario reports rise in COVID cases

Torontonians are questioning why the city is closing its four fixed-site vaccination clinics in less than a month, despite a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases across Ontario.

Comments closed

Here’s why these 2 Toronto pharmacies are no longer operating vaccination programs

Two Toronto pharmacies are no longer operating vaccination programs. Lawlor and Rylander pharmacies have shut it down due to delivery challenges, causing an inability to keep up with demand.

Comments closed

COVID-19 and flu shot bookings open to the general public today in Toronto

Starting today, the general public can book an appointment to get a fall booster shot for COVID-19 and influenza (flu) through Toronto Public Health (TPH) ahead of a potentially challenging season for respiratory illness.

Comments closed

Where to get free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in Toronto

Getting your hands on a COVID-19 rapid test is going to be a little more difficult this winter now that the tests are no longer being distributed to Ontario grocery stores and pharmacies.

Comments closed

Toronto Public Health says it needs $5 million more for respiratory illness ahead of winter that could see ‘high level’ of virus activity

Toronto Public Health is seeking an additional $5 million to help combat respiratory illnesses as the city heads into a potentially challenging season.

Comments closed

Mandatory masking is back for staff at several Ontario hospitals

Several Ontario hospitals are bringing back mask mandates for staff with COVID-19 cases on the rise once again – a clear sign the province has entered a new wave, an expert explains.

Comments closed

Closing of Toronto long-COVID rehab program a failure to support patients

A Toronto-based Unity Health Rehabilitation Program for those with long COVID will be shutting down on August 31. The shuttering of the program takes one more virtual option away from those in Ontario with the condition.

Comments closed