News Releases from Department of Health | Booster shot eligibility expands

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos discussed on Monday Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for truck drivers crossing the border into the country. Duclos said both Canada and the U.S.

The end of the coronavirus crisis in the UK appears to be in sight, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) chief.

Douglas Ross is calling on the Scottish Government to scrap all covid restrictions except face masks by the end of the month.

Budget supermarket Aldi has issued its customers with an urgent warning as it recalls a box of its own-brand chocolates.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Railways has estimated that a loss of close to Rs. 10 million was incurred by the Government, due to the unannounced token strike launched by the trade unions.According to reports received so far, passengers were allowed to travel without purchasing tickets during the strike action, Dhammika Jayasundara, the General Manager of Railways noted.Railway operations were hampered once again with certain train journeys being halted mid-journey, after the Railway Station Masters Association re-launched the strike action on Saturday (Jan.

Covid restrictions on large gatherings have been lifted in Scotland as cases of the deadly virus remain high across the country.

The public health orders which have shuttered B.C. bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios since late December are set to expire on Tuesday but with no clear direction on what’s next, many business owners are in limbo while others say it’s already too late.

Neil Robertson is currently competing against Barry Hawkins, 42, in the final of the Masters in London.The Australian has opened up in the past about the “really tough” time he’s had with snooker, as he has also been busy supporting his wife during her mental health struggles.In 2017, Neil admitted that his career in professional sports had been tricky to balance with issues at home, as his wife was battling anxiety and depression for several years.Remembering the last few years with Andy Goldstein on Eurosport’s vodcast in 2020, the snooker player revealed just how tough life had been at times for the couple.The issues they experienced reportedly saw him drop down to 20 in the world rankings and miss the Masters for the first time in 10 years.Speaking to Andy he said: “What Tyson Fury did a year or so ago when he did that documentary where he discussed his issues with mental health, his anxiety and depression… “Watching that, I felt as though I was watching Mille talk. He was talking about the exact same thing more or less,” Neil explained.“She wasn’t substance-abusing with drugs, but with anxiety one of the big things people do is drink alcohol to try and settle it down, and that is what Mille was doing, which was very tough for me to try and juggle that and try and be one of the best snooker players in the world.“For a few years, I was doing that without really talking about it.

The BBC podcast presenter went on to say that her latest stint in the hospital has undoubtedly been her most challenging yet.Still, she thanked the nurses and doctors for not only saving her life but for providing her with moral support as she continued to fight the disease, which has plagued her life for over five years.Deborah stressed that she wasn't sure how things would move forward as she awaited her next operation, but she's made tremendous progress from how poorly she felt just a week ago."I'm making progress, it's slow but steady. I'm still being monitored very closely," the mother-of-two continued."No idea what the next plan is - it's just taking things bit by bit."It's hard when you just want a plan, but the plan is really to try to get me better, whatever pathway that takes."The cancer campaigner was met with supportive remarks in the comment section as fans heaped praise for her courage and strength during such difficult times.Former X Factor star Diana Vickers left four heart emojis as her response.The Instagram user @livpurvis said: "You're a hero Debs, sending all the love in the world."@Jo_elvin echoed similar words, writing: "Sending so much love and strength @bowelbabe.

COLOMBO (News 1st); According to the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant report issued by the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 160 new cases of Omicron and 22 new cases of Delta were detected from 182 samples.“These 182 samples were sequenced from the last week of December and the first week of January from the community and arrival and departure samples from the airport.” said Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Faculty of Medicine.The 160 Omicron cases include a mix of the two main Omicron lineages BA.1 and BA.2. BA.1 is detected in at least 113 countries and whereas BA.2 is directed in at least 3o countries.

Karen Hauer, who competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 alongside Greg Wise, injured herself during rehearsals for a group routine.The Venezuelan-American dancer, 39, explained that she would have to take “a break” from dancing, which meant missing out on the show’s big finale. After seeing a specialist and having an MRI scan, Karen was told she had a tear in her meniscus and damage to her cartilage.  The dancer’s injuries were not serious enough to require surgery, but she was ordered to stop dancing for one month while her body recovered.Karen took to Instagram today to give her 282,000 followers a health update following her four-week rehab programme and various knee exercises.“Hello, hello, hello. How are you guys doing? Hope you are having a lovely start to your weekend,” she began. “I just did a nice stretch.

COLOMBO (News 1st): A/L (2021) Tuition classes, seminars & lectures prohibited from 1st February until the examinations are over, said the Department of Examination on Saturday (15).Grade 5 Scholarship Exam (2021) Tuition classes, seminars & lectures are also prohibited from 18th January until the examinations are over, it added.

The recent decline in the number of Scots infected with Covid-19 is a "cause for optimism", according to a Scottish health expert.

Miriam burst into laughter and replied: "Well I am not an idiot."The problem about ageing is that nobody told me that it was going to happen."You are supposed to find out yourself and you do, and it's b****y awful."The BAFTA-winning actress continued: "It's horrible not being able to run for a bus."She added: "At night I think, will I wake up in the morning? And then I do."Alan, who looked concerned by Miriam's response, asked the actress if she felt that way every night, and she explained she did."I do, every night it is the night I think maybe tonight is the night I won't wake up," Miriam explained.Alan asked how that made her feel, to which she replied: "Miserable, but then in the morning I wake up so I am all right again."

CAROL Vorderman has started the year off right with a sun-kissed holiday to Portugal with a health retreat. The former Countdown star, 61, gave fans a glimpse inside her luxury getaway at a new juice retreat called Juicy Oasis.

Medical professionals from a wide range of scientific specialties are coming after Joe Rogan.

Edmonton Oilers fans are looking for answers as the team returns to Rogers Place on Saturday for the first time in nearly a month, with new COVID-19 health restrictions in place. Breanna Karstens-Smith reports.

The Ford government is being warned that the health-care system is nearing collapse and the Ontario Health Coalition says it’s a “full-blown emergency.” Dozens of advocates gathered virtually to call on the province to do more to protect the most vulnerable, particularly those in hospital or long-term care. Morganne Campbell has more in this report.

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Taking a long, hot bath when temperatures are low can be a well-deserved treat.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry said Friday that hospitalization data continues to indicate those over the age of 70 are more likely to go to the hospital with COVID than any other age demographic.

Express.co.uk, she shared: “Oh my gosh, I love Christmas so much.“My birthday is in the middle of summer so I have really managed to get it spaced out right.“I've got my birthday in the summer of Christmas in the winter.“But I actually probably look forward to Christmas way more than my birthday.“For me, it's just family time. It's all about being with the kids.

Canada’s chief public health officer Dr.

Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam and deputy chief public health officer Dr.

Canada’s chief public health officer Dr.

A post shared by Mark Wright (@wrighty_)In a separate post two weeks after his operation, Mark confessed the health scare had been a “terribly worrying time”.He explained he was worried and anxious about “what could have been” and was left feeling “low” as he recovered.He continued: “I've had the worry and the anxiety about what this could have been, and just staying in and recovering just leaving me feeling a little bit low and not very motivated.”Mark noticed the lump under his armpit and became increasingly concerned as it began to grow.He was informed by a specialist that the lump was a benign tumour but doctors feared it could turn cancerous and decided to remove it.Now, he is encouraging others to get checked.The presenter told followers: “Moral of the story: if you notice anything that doesn’t look or feel quite right. Don’t leave it.“Nothing in life is more important than your health and well-being.

A vaccine clinic will reopen tomorrow after being closed for two days due to a low number of bookings.

Wendy Williams has allegedly cut off all direct contact with staffers on her talk-show as her months-long hiatus continues.The 57-year-old has been off the show because of health issues that are reportedly connected to her longtime struggle with the autoimmune disorder Graves' disease.'She hasn't been talking to anybody, not producers, not senior producers- no one,' an insider claimed to The Sun. 'She has disappeared and the only line of contact production has is through her manager.' Rumors:Wendy Williams has allegedly cut off all direct contact with staffers on her talk-show as her months-long hiatus continuesThe source added: 'Her manager is an ex-cop, so they like him because he can be a police man for her,' but alleged: 'He really has no control over her anyway.' According to the insider: 'She's isolated herself from everyone and isn't talking to anybody connected to the show.'She has not appeared on the entire 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show, which began in October following delays after she got COVID-19.Wendy also took a hiatus in May 2020 citing her Graves' disease but returned to the program that September.

Emily Andre has been struck down with 'horrible' migraines in the wake of her online spat with husband Peter's ex wife Katie Price.

Eager holidaymakers grounded for too long have sparked a massive boom in travel enquiries.

A young mother tragically took her own life following a mental health battle, a coroner has ruled.

Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino and his wife Lauren Pesce endured a health scare with their newborn son on Thursday's episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.The 39-year-old reality star arrived home from the hospital without his child Romeo Reign who gained a fever requiring following his birth on May 26, 2021 that required further hospitalization.'I'm a little scared. I'm not gonna lie, you know,' Mike admitted in a confessional.

Health Matters January 13: University of Alberta researchers have figured out how to improve Remdesivir — currently the only drug approved to treat COVID-19 in Canada — so it can work for more viruses. And as Su-Ling Goh reports, they say it’s important for the world to have better antivirals for future pandemics.

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw is reassuring Albertans that despite limited eligibility for PCR testing, the province is still monitoring data from other sources to show trends in COVID-19 transmissions.

Global News spoke with Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce on Thursday, as students and teachers across the province prepare to return to the classroom on Monday.

On Thursday, the chief medical officer of health spoke with reporters and fielded questions around whether or not businesses will be able to reopen Jan. 26. Erica Vella had more.

She recently battled COVID-19 which shutdown production on season 12 of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.And Erika Jayne was back to business as usual as she stepped out in a cozy black sweat suit to run errands in Los Angeles on Thursday morning.The 50-year-old reality star rocked a matching set with a hot pink purse as she met up with a friend weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus amid surging cases of the omicron variant. Out and about: Erika Jayne was back to business as usual as she stepped out in a cozy black sweat suit to run errands in Los Angeles on Thursday morningErika rocked a crewneck sweater with white embroidery across her chest and a pair of black pants to match.

COLOMBO (News 1st): A full-day symposium for Middle-Grade Officers of the Armed Forces, conceptualized by the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) under the theme “Military Leadership in the Contemporary World: Evolving from a Warrior to a Friend in Need” began its sessions on Thursday (13) at the BMICH.This ‘Armed Forces’ Middle-Grade Officers’ Leadership Symposium'(AFMOLS-2021), designed to develop and exhibit character with a combination of leadership traits and values and attributes that enables an Officer to see what to do, decide to do, and influence others to follow in order to be competent in the knowledge and skills while effectively accomplishing the entrusted mission as a leader, was attended by 300 plus middle-grade Officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force.At the invitation of General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, the Secretary to Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunarathna (Rtd) as the Chief Guest graced the inauguration and delivered the keynote address.The Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, the brainchild behind the project’s implementation delivered the welcome note, in which he highlighted the importance of formulating policies and conducting joint training to ensure that the Armed Forces are rightly equipped with optimal operational capabilities.“Our Armed Forces have always been at the forefront of fostering peace, security and prosperity of our country amidst many turbulent environments. This proven capacity and capability have made a point that our Armed Forces are called upon to assist the nation whenever the country is at stake, irrespective of the nature of the challenge.

Dumfries and Galloway has recorded a record number of new coronavirus cases for the second week running.

Piers Morgan, 56, is still battling long Covid, after he contracted the virus six months ago.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chairman of the Station Masters Association, Sumedha Somaratne explained the reasons for the Railway Station Master’s Union to engage in a sudden token strike on Thursday (13).According to Somaratne, following the request to reschedule the passenger train schedule, the department had taken action to cancel the long distance services and the night mail trains, which were scheduled to run as tickets for them were already reserved. Moreover, the Kankesanthurai intercity train has been canceled, causing inconvenience to commuters heading on trips during the upcoming weekend.Speaking further, Somaratne stated that the cancellation of the night mail trains put a lot of pressure on the stations, and although the Station Masters were informed about it, neither the General Manager nor the Deputy General Manager of Railways gave any reason for the cancellation.Alleging that the Railways Department is observing a Jekyll-and-Hyde policy, Somaratne stated that trains are being cancelled according to the demands of the Railway Regulators ‘Association and the Drivers’ Association.” Therefore, due to all these reasons, we decided to go on an immediate strike to protest against this,” he added.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) is perturbed over the announcement by S&P Global Ratings to downgrade Sri Lanka, at a time when the GOSL has diligently lined up adequate funds to repay its maturing foreign debt liabilities and its repeated assurances over the strong commitment to oblige its debt service payments, including the International Sovereign Bond (ISB) maturing on 18 January 2022, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) states. The credit rating agency, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) lowered long-term sovereign credit rating on Sri Lanka from ‘CCC+’ to ‘CCC’ on increasing external financing risks on Wednesday (12).The Central Bank of Sri Lanka, issuing a statement in response, states that this move demonstrates repetitive nature in which S&P and other rating agencies acted to initiate rating actions just prior to the settlement of ISB obligations. S&P’s action also fails to recognize the positive developments taking place in Sri Lanka, in an environment in which the entire world is grappling with repeated waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBSL states.The sense of urgency on the part of an internationally recognised rating agency is inconceivable, particularly since S&P was being constantly updated by the Sri Lankan authorities on the latest developments in all sectors of the economy and many measures to shore-up foreign exchange inflows.

Michael Rapaport will no longer fill in as a guest host on The Wendy Williams Show this week after he tested positive for COVID-19.On Tuesday, the 51-year-old comedian shared a video to his Instagram page in which he revealed his diagnosis and explained that he would be absent from the Fox talk show.'I have to pull out of doing The Wendy Williams Show the rest of the week because unfortunately, I got damn coronavirus, which I'm disappointed about,' the Prison Break star said in the clip, in which he was seen wearing a gray t-shirt while sitting on a couch. The latest:Michael Rapaport will no longer fill in as a guest host on The Wendy Williams Show this week after he tested positive for COVID-19He continued, 'I'm really, really disappointed for many, many, many reasons.

B.C. is reporting 500 people are in hospital, and 102 are in intensive care due to COVID-19 related illness on Wednesday, Jan.

Many consumers have trouble making their minimum credit card payments at this time of year. But for one Toronto senior, who accidentally overpaid his card account last fall, getting a refund was the issue.

Peel regions medical officer of health has issued a stern warning to residents, it’s more than likely you’ll contract COVID-19 this winter. The area’s top doctor is pushing all non-vaccinated residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Roddy Ricch on Wednesday withdrew from his scheduled appearance on Saturday Night Live after he was a close contact to a staffer with COVID-19.'Due to recent Covid exposure on my team and to keep everyone safe I won’t be able to perform on SNL this weekend,' the 23-year-old rapper said on Instagram Stories.The Box performer added that he was 'working with the SNL team to lock in a new date though.' The latest:Roddy Ricch, 23, on Wednesday withdrew from his scheduled appearance on Saturday Night Live after he was a close contact to a staffer with COVID-19. He was snapped in LA last yearThe Compton, California native had been slated to be the musical guest on the NBC comedy staple alongside West Side Story actress Ariana DeBose, who is hosting.The pop group Bleachers will perform in place of the Late at Night artist, making their SNL debut in support of their album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, which was released last summer.

Manitoba’s deputy chief provincial public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal said on Wednesday that it is “highly likely” most Manitobans will be exposed to the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the coming weeks.