Ontario pauses non-urgent surgeries ahead of expected Omicron impact

As students get set to return to the classroom in Ontario, there is a push to vaccinate as many of them as possible.

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.

The Omicron Covid variant is now the dominant strain throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.

As Omicron rages, anxiety is rising before students in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia resume in-person learning on January 17. Eric Sorensen looks at the risks and rewards of kids returning to the classroom.

With nearly half of its residents infected with COVID-19, the remote Bearskin Lake First Nation needs help, but it’s not getting what it wants from the federal government. And as David Akin reports, neighbours are pitching in to help.

When students and staff return to in-person learning next week, there will be changes to how tests are distributed and reported. The Minister of Health says schools will reopen safely, but the leaders of ETFO, the NDP and the Liberals are accusing the Ford Government of botching the return when families are looking for certainty.

Students in Ontario will return to the classroom on Monday. Here’s Caryn Lieberman with reaction from families.

Lisa Vanderpump revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 in an Instagram post shared Tuesday morning.The 61-year-old reality star posted a crying caricature of her likeness with the caption: 'Agh it finally got me #covid19.'It's unclear where Lisa is currently in quarantine, and the Los Angeles County of Public Health recorded 43, 582 new cases on Monday with more than 2,000,000 total cases reported of the surging Omicron variant. Oh no! Lisa Vanderpump revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 in an Instagram post shared Tuesday morningLisa's pouty cartoon character wore her signature diamond baubles and a white collared shirt to announce her COVID diagnosis.The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star received well-wishes from Garcelle Beauvais, who recently recovered from her own battle with the virus.

Ontario Health CEO Matthew Anderson discussed on Tuesday a protocol that’s in place for hospitals to use to address absenteeism among medical staff, after an Ottawa hospital said it would consider directing COVID-19-positive staff to return to work in some situations.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Tuesday that the province is updating its COVID-19 reporting to distinguish between patients hospitalized due to the virus and incidental admissions, or those who are admitted for other reasons but have tested positive.

Following the announcement that students and teachers in Ontario will head back to the classroom on Jan. 17, Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Tuesday that returning to in-person learning is important for students’ physical and mental health.

More than half of the European population are expected to be infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant within the next six to eight weeks, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said on Tuesday.

Global’s Keith Baldrey has more on why the latest hospitalization numbers are particularly important during the Omicron outbreak.

Anxiety is growing over Canada’s fifth wave, as Omicron overwhelms hospitals. Abigail Bimman reports on the toll it’s taking on front-line workers, and how this wave compares to previous ones.

: After a horrible 2020-2021 season marked by forced COVID-19 closures, Ontario ski operators believe they’re in for a better 2022. As Seán O’Shea reports they’re hoping to be allowed to stay open—and the weather has turned colder.

As January 17 rapidly approaches, the question over whether students will actually return to in-person learning continues to be asked. Despite the growing anxiety shared among students, parents, and teachers, the Minister of Education hasn’t made himself available to answer questions.

Jennifer Lopez's latest film, The Mother, put a pause on production in Spain due to a coronavirus outbreak.The Mother, which is set to be released later this year, had been filming in Vancouver, British Columbia, before production recently moved to Gran Canaria near the Canary Islands.PEOPLEmagazine confirmed that filming overseas had been halted 'due to positive coronavirus cases associated with the production team.' Stopped: Jennifer Lopez's latest film, The Mother, put a pause on production in Spain due to a coronavirus outbreak; seen in OctoberLopez reportedly flew into town last week and had been isolated while awaiting shooting, only to leave on a private plane back to the US just yesterday, according to Page Six. The 52-year-old actress stars alongside Joseph Fiennes, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Omari Hardwick in the Niki Caro-directed film.The local paper, La Provincia, first reported that a 'massive' coronavirus outbreak plagued a Netflix shoot, causing 'weeks-long production suspension.' The 52-year-old actress stars alongside Joseph Fiennes, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Omari Hardwick in the Niki Caro-directed film; seen in December The Spanish outlet reported that Lopez was first spotted in town on Wednesday and was set to film multiple scenes throughout the week.It's unclear when production will resume filming.Spain has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases as the Omicron surges across the globe, with 2,722 cases per 100,000 people reported on Friday, according to Reuters.The percentage of hospital beds occupied by patients with coronavirus was 11.79%, while the number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units rose to 22.06%.

Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to relax covid restrictions in Scotland amid claims the measures brought in to halt the spread of the Omicron variant have "failed to make a difference".

Scientists have cast doubt over the discovery of the so-called ‘Deltacron’ Covid strain, which is said to combine the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus.

Community lets at schools across South Lanarkshire have been suspended until the end of the month with immediate effect.

Dozens of families, education workers and advocates rallied at Queen’s Park Sunday calling on the government to reopen schools no later than Jan. 17th. Brittany Rosen has more.

China reported 165 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Jan. 8, up from 159 a day earlier, health authorities said on Sunday.

First identified in Botswana and South Africa, Omicron has now become the dominant strain of Covid in Scotland.

Cases of Covid remain high in Scotland as Omicron takes hold.

With Canada’s COVID-19 caseload rising due to Omicron, so too is the number of hospitalizations, further straining already stressed health-care workers.

With Ontario schools closed to control the COVID-19 surge, both parents and children are once again facing frustrations trying to juggle their lives with virtual learning. As Abigail Bimman explains, the strategy is also affecting the health-care system.

The remote Bearskin Lake Reserve First Nation in Ontario is pleading for help as COVID-19 rages through the community, infecting nearly half of its residents.

As parents and students get ready to head back to school amid the ongoing fifth wave of COVID-19 on Monday, there are already concerns about the possibility of going online. Adam MacVicar has more on what parents should be prepared for.

With a rising number of long-term care homes in outbreak, calls are growing louder for urgent safeguards to be put in place. Caryn Lieberman reports.

Despite restrictions preventing most gyms and fitness centres from opening – under the Ontario government’s “Step 2” rules – some F45s will be back open for business as of the weekend. Sean O’Shea reports.

On Friday, Ontario announced it would soon offer $10,000 grants to companies forced to shut their doors by public health restrictions. But the exclusion of businesses facing half-capacity restrictions and issues over timing, have many saying the money will only go so far.

Covid infections continue to rise in Scotland following the emergence of the new Omicron variant over the past few weeks.

South Ayrshire schools returned this week from winter break to an already brighter start to the year than last year’s online learning.

Forth Valley health board are to postpone some non-urgent operations over the coming weeks as it aims to reduce the pressures on services caused by the Omicron variant.

It seems the new Scream won't be receiving a red carpet premiere after all.The film was set for a big event on January 11 to celebrate its opening next Friday, but that has been canceled due to concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant, Varietyreported.A note to the invited guests reportedly went out on Thursday informing them of the news. Canceled:It seems the new Scream won't be receiving a red carpet premiere after all.

The Ontario Nurses Association is warning that the province could be in for some difficult times ahead, despite the government’s reassurances that additional public health measures will help to stem the spread of the virus. The Ontario Hospital Association says bed occupancy in the province is approaching 90 per cent.

After bringing international talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres to tears during Wednesday’s show, “Coach Cal” returns home to Lakefield, ON.

www.hawaiicovid19.com.# # #PDF: Additional Omicron cases detected in Hawai’i

www.hawaiicovid19.com. # # #PDF: Additional Omicron cases found in Hawai’i

A Paisley hairdresser has welcomed the cash boost announcement for salons after covid decimated its bookings during the festive period.

Since Omicron was discovered, the symptoms between it and other strains has been much discussed.

The TV shows NCIS and Chicago Fire have both paused production amid personnel on each series testing positive for COVID-19.Insiders told Deadline Wednesday that production was halted on the CBS procedural drama NCIS due to the prevalence of a positive test of those in the show's Zone A, which includes cast members and crew they interact with.A cast member on the show is believed to had tested positive, the insider told the outlet. The latest: The TV shows NCIS and Chicago Fire have both paused production amid personnel on each series testing positive for COVID-19.

With COVID-19 cases rising, Ontario is ramping up restrictions, triggering fears retailers, restaurants, pubs, and bars will again see profits plummet. Mike Drolet looks at the toll this is taking on businesses owners barely keeping their doors open.

The latest round of public health restrictions are coming into place mere months ahead of Ontario’s upcoming provincial election. They may be necessary, but as Matthew Bingley reports, they present a political headache for the Ford government and an opportunity for his opponents.

Students, parents and teachers have completed the first day of class after a return to online learning in Ontario. So how did it go? Caryn Lieberman reports.

KFL&A Public Health’s medical officer of health says he is cautiously optimistic the region has turned a corner in the Omicron wave of COVID-19.

In an update on Wednesday, Calgary city officials said contingency planning is underway to prepare for staffing shortages as people are forced to isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test. Adam MacVicar reports.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced on Wednesday a two-week ban on incoming flights from eight countries, including Canada and the U.S., and tightened COVID-19 restrictions as authorities feared a fifth wave of infections.