Ontario expects to begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021, appoints distribution task force

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of Sri Lankan health workers continued their strike action for the fifth consecutive day on Friday (11), despite a court issuing an order against a nurses trade union that is also taking part in the strike.Health workers in Sri Lanka have been staging demonstrations and strikes since November 2021 to draw attention to the issue of salary anomalies.Their major demands include the rectification of salary anomalies, higher allowances, and an increase in overtime rates.Supplementary and paramedical services, nursing services, and professionals from 16 health services including medical laboratory technologists, pharmacists, radiologists, public health inspectors, and family health officers are participating in the indefinite strike.Thousands of poor patients who visited government hospitals were turned away, as a result.A Sri Lankan court on Thursday (10) issued two enjoining orders preventing the strike action by the Government Nursing Officer’s Association from continuing.The Attorney General filed an action against the Government Nursing Officer’s Association and its president Saman Rathnapriya, seeking an enjoining order from the court to immediately suspend the trade union action of the said union.The Attorney General appraised the court of the present deplorable conditions in hospitals due to patient care being severely affected.District Court Judge of Colombo Aruna Aluthge issued two enjoining orders preventing the union from continuing the said trade union strike endangering the lives of the patients.As a result of the strike, over this week the activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District

Prince Charles getting Covid again should be "ringing royal alarm bells," according to an expert who warns of some "regal whiplash". The 73-year-old is set to snatch an almost 200-year record by becoming the oldest person to be crowned monarch.

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Withdrawal of restrictions

Boris Johnson ending Covid isolation rules is a "distraction" from the PM's lockdown party scandal, according to a Scots health expert.

SYDNEY :

Charli XCX has said that the criticism she’s received on social media lately has taken a toll on her mental health.The singer-songwriter, who releases her fifth album ‘Crash’ on March 18, issued a statement on Twitter yesterday (February 10) to explain that she’s temporarily stepping back from the platform due to the “negativity” surrounding her current campaign.“I’ve always had a pretty open dialogue with you guys and so I just wanna mention a few things that have been on my mind recently,” Charli began.“I have been feeling like I can’t do anything right at the moment.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The new University of Vavuniya was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (11).The University of Vavuniya is the 17th State University in Sri Lanka and was established with effect from the 1st of August 2021 via an Extraordinary Gazette on the 8th of June 2021 that elevated the Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, to a separate state university in Sri Lanka.The new state university was established for the purpose of providing, promoting, and developing higher education in the branches of learning of Business Studies, Applied Science, and Technology Studies.

Doug Ford says he wants a clear delivery date for the province’s share of COVID-19 vaccines, stressing that “the clock is ticking” when it comes to fighting the novel coronavirus.Ford says he’s been asking the federal government for clarity as to how much of what vaccine the province will receive and when, but hasn’t gotten the answers he needs.The premier says he’s set to speak to Pfizer, one the drugmakers that has entered into an agreement with Canada, this afternoon but expects he will be told the information must come from Ottawa.

When asked about the “many issues” with people trying to obtain flu shots this year and how this could potentially be a challenge regarding the rollout of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Friday said he has “100 per cent confidence” in the taskforce to distribute the coronavirus vaccine and that this “mission” will be accomplished, even with “bumps in the road.” He added that the two vaccines can’t be compared.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Health Minister Christine Elliott and Gen.

COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021 as previously stated.Premier Doug Ford said on Monday the province was expecting to start receiving the vaccine in the early part of the year. Elliott said the same on Nov.

As Ontario’s Durham, Halton, Hamilton and Waterloo regions have moved into the red control level of coronavirus risk in recent weeks, Premier Doug Ford on Thursday announced $13.6 million in funding to provide “extra support” for school boards in those areas.

After Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott on Thursday mentioned the Canadian federal government reportedly said the province may no longer be receiving COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021 anymore as details have not yet been finalized, Premier Doug Ford told reporters during a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., “let’s get some answers,” regarding the rollout of vaccines.

Ontario reports 1,373 new coronavirus cases, 35 more deaths The Ford Government recently initiated lockdowns in Toronto and Peel regions, but this hasn’t stopped some from protesting these decisions.On Thursday, Kingston-area MPP Randy Hillier is planning a demonstration outside of Queen’s Park.“The police, the health departments, nobody is charging me or others for violating these unlawful orders, and now I want to test these orders. I want to test these laws that Doug Ford has enacted,” said Hillier via zoom on Tuesday.Hillier held a similar protest on Oct.

COVID-19 crisis, and it’s a damning assessment of mismanagement and poor leadership.The auditor general cites confusing and contradictory information from the Ford government and the chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams.In fact, Williams was the focus of much of the AG’s negative review, to the point of questioning if Williams is the right choice for the job.

An extraordinary report from the province’s auditor general on the Ontario government’s COVID-19 response led to an extraordinary news conference with Premier Doug Ford taking aim at Bonnie Lysyk’s work. Travis Dhanraj reports.

Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk has released a scathing report into the province’s pandemic response. Mike Drolet explains Lysyk’s findings, and how Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott are pushing back.

Auditor general to release report on Ontario government’s handling of COVID-19 pandemic The comments were made in the first of two special reports on the pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic so far, including how it has made decisions during the global health crisis.The special report issued by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk will look at emergency management in the context of the pandemic, as well as outbreak planning and decision-making.[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]It will also include an audit of government processes related to COVID-19 testing, case management and contact tracing.

Toronto and Peel Region are back under coronavirus lockdown restrictions, people in grey zones may be tempted to escape to other parts of the province, but local health officials, politicians and residents are asking them to stay home.“When customers call they’re advised that we will need to get their postal code and that we are restricting travel from grey and red zones,” explains Norah Roberts, the Innkeeper at The Waring House in Prince Edward County.The Waring House is one of many businesses peppered across Ontario turning away customers from COVID-19 hot-zones. Ontario reports 1,009 new coronavirus cases, a drop due to technical issues “We really feel badly,” said Roberts, a former family doctor.

COVID-19 pandemic appears to be a run on recreational winter gear.Located in York Region, the doors to Sanction Skate and Snow remain open. The shop already had a taste of the voracious appetite for recreational gear earlier in the year with skateboards.When asked whether he expects there to be a run on snowboards, co-owner Malcolm Vaughan said it is already taking place.

COVID-19 rapid tests, with the new tools already being used in some hospitals and long-term care homes.Premier Doug Ford says rapid tests, which can produce results in minutes rather than days, have been sent to 36 long-term care homes and 27 retirement homes, as well as some hospitals.He says the province will continue to deploy the 98,000 ID Now tests and 1.2 million Panbio tests it has received from the federal government in the coming weeks.

Doug Ford‘s assurance that when the COVID-19 vaccines are widely distributed, life will get back to normal is, in fact, not the least bit reassuring to those of us who are dealing with the virus and the collateral damage that the virus is causing in our communities.Conventional wisdom suggests that, even with the latest good news about vaccine development, it will still be sometime next summer before any vaccine will be available to most of us.The premier can hire whomever he wants to oversee the distribution of vaccines, but that distribution will be totally dependent on how many doses are available and when they’ll be available and the province will have little control over that.

coronavirus pandemic around eight months ago, more than 2,200 long-term care residents in Ontario have died from COVID-19.Long-term care deaths account for nearly two-thirds of all COVID-19-related deaths in the province.Out of the province’s 626 long-term care facilities, the virus crept into over half of them, causing outbreaks in more than 400.It’s clear that the homes have been among the hardest-hit areas in Ontario during the pandemic, both in the first and second waves.

Premier Doug Ford has enlisted the help of a retired Canadian military general to help his government plan the logistics involved in distributing millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that Gen.

COVID-19 hot spots rushed out into a snowstorm to tackle Christmas shopping, stock up on supplies or squeeze in last-minute haircuts on Sunday as they prepared to hunker down for a lockdown meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.Their last-minute preparations came a day before Toronto and Peel Region were set to move into the grey classification of the province’s pandemic response framework, a move announced by Premier Doug Ford on Friday.The shift to “lockdown” means all but essential retailers will be forced to limit their services or close their doors entirely due to case numbers that have stayed well over 1,000 a day for several weeks.But those numbers didn’t scare off shoppers at Toronto’s Eaton Centre.

pandemic protection plan.It means that for at least the next 28 days, non-essential retailers can only offer curbside pickup, while restaurants are closed to all but takeout and delivery orders in the two COVID-19 hot spots.Personal services have also been forced to close, but schools and child-care centres remain open. Here’s what you can and can’t do in Toronto, Peel Region during coronavirus lockdown stage Premier Doug Ford announced the move on Friday, but it didn’t come into effect until 12:01 a.m.

coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Sunday:Sunday marks the last day before Toronto and Peel Region enter lockdown.Premier Doug Ford has urged people not to panic buy, but even Saturday, there were lineups outside stores.Some malls have extended their hours this weekend to try to reduce the number of people inside during peak times.Starting Monday non-essential retailers in Toronto and Peel will be limited to curbside pickup, while indoor dining will be banned, and salons and gyms will shutter.

COVID-19 cases continue to surge.Retailer Indigo Books & Music Inc.

COVID-19 lockdown seems to have permanently affected how and whether any of the small businesses on Main and Queen streets do business. The scene was no different Friday afternoon before an announcement by Premier Doug Ford confirming Brampton small business owners’ worst fears: a 28-day, COVID-19-related lockdown.For Rob Rutledge, owner of the long-running Al’s Barbershop, it’s hard news to swallow.

Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa on Friday voiced her concern for the city’s rising number of COVID-19 cases following Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s announcement that the city, along with Peel Region, would enter a lockdown starting next Monday.

Following Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s announcement of Toronto and Peel Region entering a lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases on Friday, Toronto Mayor John Tory said without restrictions like these, the coronavirus could “spread like wildfire.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that Toronto and Peel Region would move into lockdown amid the second wave of COVID-19, beginning Monday Nov. 23.

lockdown measures in the second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic will deal an especially hard blow to small and independent retailers, experts warn.On Friday, the government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced sweeping new restrictions to combat the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Toronto and Peel Region, including a temporary ban on in-store shopping for non-essential retailers. The closures will take effect on Monday, ahead of the Black Friday holiday shopping weekend.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti shares insight on the new restrictions for COVID-19 hotspots to be announced by Premier Doug Ford on November 20.

non-disclosure agreements that prohibit them from commenting on the recommendations or opinions they offer the government.That begs some obvious questions: why the secrecy, premier? Why are we, the people who are living this pandemic nightmare, not privy to the expert advice of these health care experts?Instead, that advice is presented to us through a political filter. Yet this shouldn’t be a political or partisan issue.

COVID-19 in hot spot regions.Premier Doug Ford said earlier this week that the restrictions will affect Toronto, Peel, and York Region where virus cases have been increasing in recent weeks.Ford says the province must make the move to protect hospital capacity and residents of long-term care homes.Ontario’s chief medical officer of health has made recommendations to Ford’s cabinet which is expected to make a decision this morning ahead of the afternoon announcement. Coronavirus: Ontario to discuss new restrictions for Toronto, Peel and York The province’s associate medical officer of health said Thursday that 80 per cent of the new cases in Ontario are from the hot spot regions which are currently in the red restriction zone.Dr.

COVID-19 test positivity rate, state and city officials made good on promised measures to move all students still participating in in-class learning to remote schooling as buildings across the city are closed.“It’s a tough day, it was a tough decision,” lamented Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday.“We will bring our schools back, but we’re going to have to reset the equation.”The move, and the associated numbers, are enough to cause some on this side of the border to wonder why similar measures are not being taken in big Ontario cities cited has COVID-19 “hotspots.”New York City has a population of just under 8.4 million people with an average positivity rate hovering around three per cent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Thursday that the province is launching another series of workplace health, safety, education and enforcement campaigns, and will be deploying 200 provincial offence officers from across several ministries to visit businesses in COVID-19 hotspots.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Thursday that the additional COVID-19 public health restrictions being released Friday “will have to be tough in the hardest hit areas,” adding the province is seeing “concerning trends” amid the pandemic.

COVID-19 patients in its intensive care units.Earlier this month, medical experts advising the government noted that the figure would mark a point where Ontario hospitals have to begin cancelling surgeries. Ontario reports 1,210 new coronavirus cases, 28 more deaths The CEO of the hospital association says all regions are reporting increased admissions.[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]Premier Doug Ford said yesterday that further restrictions are coming in virus hot spots because hospitals are reaching capacity.

In response to Premier Doug Ford’s talk of another potential lockdown in Toronto, Mayor John Tory says he believes the province is best suited to implement any new restrictions so that the public doesn’t get confused by multiple messages by the different levels of government.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to questions Wednesday about Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s statement that winter break for students will not be extended amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the safest place for students is within the schools.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday the province would deliver rapid COVID-19 tests to “areas with greatest need” including virus “hotspots” and long-term care homes, as well as sending them to northern and remote areas “where testing turnaround times are a challenge.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Wednesday that the province would be investing to support 13 additional Ontario Health Teams across the province, bringing the total to 42.