Quebec reports 28 more COVID-19 deaths, logs 71 patient drop in hospitalizations

RELATED: Remote schooling means snow days could become optional in NJIn Washington Township, New Jersey, Superintendent Jeffrey Mohre said remote learning or not, he’ll still call snow days."Easiest decision I’ve had to make all year," Mohre said in 2020.Young lions at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made the most of recent snowy weather on Jan. 19, running around and playing in the powder.

City of Toronto workers will start heading back to the office next week.In a statement issued Wednesday, City officials said that workers will begin returning to the office on Tuesday under a “hybrid model.”Office spaces will be opened to allow for maximum capacity based on health guidelines, the statement said. City of Toronto delays return to office after province issues new public health advice Office workers make up about 20 per cent of the City of Toronto’s total workforce.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia health officials on Wednesday announced new COVID-19 response levels that will now tie the city’s mask and vaccine mandates to specific metrics. Under the new multi-tiered systems, city and health officials say they will stop enforcing certain mandates as COVID-19 metrics improve. Should the numbers worsen, officials say they will use the same system to determine when those mandates should be enforced again. Based on current metrics, officials announced on Wednesday that Philadelphia had reached a Masks Precautions Only level - meaning that the requirement to show proof of vaccination at indoor dining establishments that serve food for onsite consumption was dropped, effective immediately. Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health will focus on four key metrics to guide decisions on mandates and restrictions. The metrics include average new cases per day, number of hospitalizations, percent of tests reported as positive, and the rate of change of new cases. City officials say tying their response to these metrics will help the public understand why the city is enforcing specific mandates, as well as what needs to happen in order the enforcement to stop. Philadelphia’s COVID-19 website will be updated to included detailed breakdowns of the four key metrics.On Wednesday, Philadelphia health Commissioner Dr.

COVID-19 patients in the hospital are dropping, he still figures it could be months before the facility will be able to return to pre-pandemic surgical volumes.Dr. Craig Ainsworth, director of the cardiac care unit at Hamilton General Hospital, told 900 CHML’s Hamilton Today that Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is still only operating at 50 to 60 per cent of surgical activity levels which will delay some non-urgent and non-emergent services.“It would be silly for me to say we’ll be back at 100 per cent by tomorrow or next week, but we’re trying very hard to get to get there as fast as we can, but it’s likely going to be months,” said Ainsworth.

Queen Elizabeth was photographed for the first time since the public was concerned for her safety.

Other symptoms to look out for

Covid-19 outbreak in the US are pointing sharply downward.

Ottawa blockade that has kept the capital at a standstill for nearly three full weeks are calling the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act a scare tactic.Trucks, RVs and other vehicles with Canadian flags or banners with the word “freedom” in giant letters along their front grilles remain on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill, with drivers saying they will stay put until all COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions are lifted.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the act on Monday for the first time in Canadian history, with details of the regulations contained in cabinet orders published Tuesday night.Under the act, bringing children to the antigovernment blockades, participating in the protests directly, or bringing aid such as food or fuel to those involved could result in a fine of up to $5,000 or five years in prison Bringing children, food or fuel to convoy blockades prohibited under Emergencies Act Blockades are not allowed on Parliament Hill and surrounding streets, official residences, war monuments, airports, harbours, border crossings, piers, lighthouses, canals, interprovincial and international bridges, hospitals and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, trade corridors and infrastructure needed for the supply of utilities including power generation and transmission.The cabinet orders are now in effect but must all be confirmed by motions to be put to both the House of Commons and the Senate for a vote.The government could take until next week to table the motion invoking the act itself, but has only until Thursday to do so for the motions on the specific powers being enacted, which will remain in place for 30 days unless the government revokes them sooner.

As the Emergencies Act is invoked to stop the convoy protests in Ottawa, the federal government is aiming to cut off the movement’s financial resources.

Renfrewshire children between the ages of five and 11 are to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Department of Health has been notified of a further 5,268 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19.

SAN FRANCISCO - Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to pay $90 million to settle a decade-old, class-action lawsuit over the social media giant’s use of "cookies" in 2010 and 2011 that tracked people online — even after they logged off of Facebook.The company, which posted profits of $39.37 billion in 2021, will pay the $90 million settlement to users who previously submitted verified claims, after lawyer fees are deducted. Meta has also agreed to delete all the data it "wrongfully collected" during that period. The proposed settlement was filed late Monday in the U.S.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

COVID-19 as the province began phasing out its vaccine passport system Wednesday.The daily tally showed pandemic-related hospitalizations stood at 1,995, a drop of 57 compared with the previous day. This includes 129 patients in intensive care units, a decrease of three.Officials say 130 people were admitted to hospitals in the past 24-hour period, while 187 were discharged.The province reported 2,328 new novel coronavirus cases, but the number isn’t representative of the situation since only high-risk groups can access government-run screening clinics.On that note, 23,053 tests were administered Monday.

Manitoba COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions down while no new deaths reported Global News will stream the press conference on this page.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The bicycle ride was hard enough already.And then add in getting charged by a bull.At least two videos have surfaced showing a bull in Bakersfield, Calif., charging a bicyclist, participating in the Rock Cobbler, an 80-mile course described as a "stupidly hard (bike) ride bordering on a race," according to the website.Richard Pepper, who shot one of the videos on Feb. 12, captured the moment a bull charged at a bicyclist, who didn't slow down or swerve on his path, but kept moving in the direction of the large animal, which butted its head twice at the rider, who fell off his bike. SEE ALSO: Video captures flock of birds suddenly falling from the sky in MexicoPepper told Storyful when he got to this part of the trail, there were already about 15 riders stopped because of the bull."More racers were coming in from behind.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia has dropped its vaccine mandate in indoor dining establishments and unveiled a new, multi-tiered system they say will guide decisions on easing - or implementing - restrictions in the future. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole announced the news during Wednesday, amid a recent drop in new cases and positivity rates in the city.Bettigole says the new system, made up of four tiers, will allow officials to use metrics to drive their decisions on COVID-19 restrictions.

Maharashtra in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 78,50,494, said the state health department on Wednesday. 

#COVID19 restrictions in the state. pic.twitter.com/7HgNPxxQds

Coachella has loosened the reigns on COVID-19 safety even more. In a shocking return to pre-pandemic form, Goldenvoice, the company that produces Coachella, Day N Vegas, Camp Flog Gnaw, and formerly Panorama NYC, has announced that there will now be no protocols in place for the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

COVID on Wednesday, with 364 in intensive care units as overall figures continue to trend downwards.This is down by 147 hospitalizations but a decrease of 20 in ICUs since the previous day. Last Wednesday, there were 2,059 hospitalizations with 449 in ICU.The province recently began distinguishing between those who were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus.Of the 1,403 people in hospital with COVID-19, 54 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 46 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 364 people in ICUs with the virus, 82 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 18 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia officials have announced that the city would be ending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor dining under a new, tiered system of safety standards and protective measures.  City leaders and health officials announced the new standards during their weekly briefing on Wednesday as case counts have dropped significantly over the past several weeks.

Charles Hamelin added to his Olympic legacy on Wednesday after helping Canada win gold in the men’s 5,000-metre relay speed skating final in Beijing.Hamelin, Steven Dubois, Jordan Pierre-Gilles and Pascal Dion took home the top prize with a time of six minutes 41.25 seconds. South Korea finished with silver after skating 6:41.69, and Italy clocked in at 6:43.431 for bronze.The short-track event was the last Olympic competition for 37-year-old Hamelin, and the medal win places him alongside Cindy Klassen as the most decorated winter Canadian Olympian.“I just think if you put the work in, anything is possible,” Hamelin told reporters after the win.“Finishing on top of the podium with these guys, it is living your dream.”A five-time Olympian, the Sainte-Julie, Que., native has now won six Olympic medals, including four gold, making him Canada’s most decorated male winter Olympian.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

Data on alcohol drinking is unreliable

Mumbai, taking the cumulative tally to 10,54,732, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday.

UK on Delta-Omicron recombinant variant of SARS-COV-2

Kerala in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 64,40,371, according to the state health department. 

PTI on Wednesday. 

NEW YORK - Police say they have found a little New York girl who had been missing for nearly three years.Paislee Shultis, then 4 years old, was reported missing from Cayuga Heights in Tompkins County on July 13, 2019.  At the time of her disappearance, police thought that she might have been abducted by her non-custodial parents, Kimberly Cooper and Kirk Shultis Jr.On Monday, police in Saugerties say they had a warrant to search the home of Paislee's grandfather after receiving a tip. The girl's biological father was one of the residents.

Volunteers from around the UK are being recruited to take part in a new study for an Omicron booster jab.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - For Los Angeles Rams' Van Jefferson, Sunday was a night full of emotional highs mixed with even more highs.Not only did the second-year wide receiver played part in the Rams' 23-20 Super Bowl LVI win, but the 25-year-old and his wife, Samaria, made national headlines after the game after it was revealed that the couple was about to welcome their second child on Super Bowl Sunday.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rams WR Van Jefferson's wife rushed to hospital after going into labor during Super Bowl LVIAs Samaria was reportedly rushed to the hospital in the middle of Sunday's game, which Van didn't know at the time, NFL Films captured the dramatic moment the Rams wide receiver found out his wife was in labor."Your wife is giving birth right now," a Rams staff member told Van in the video."Oh my gosh!" Van exclaimed.As soon as Van heard the news, he turned to his daughter to tell him that they need to leave SoFi Stadium."Mommy's finna have a baby," Van calmly explained to his daughter. "We gotta go!"Below is the video of the dramatic but wholesome exchange between the dad and soon-to-be big sis.Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.The Rams wide receiver eventually took to social media to give the announcement fans had anxiously waited: the birth of the couple's second child!On Valentine's Day, the day after the birth of their newborn baby, Van took to Twitter to pay tribute to Samaria with the caption reading, "MVP."Jefferson finished the game with four catches and 23 receiving yards in Sunday's historic win.Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.Advertisement

MOSCOW - Russia said Wednesday it was returning more troops and weapons to bases, but NATO declared it saw no sign of a drawdown as fears that Moscow could invade Ukraine soon persisted.Russia has massed about 150,000 troops east, north and south of Ukraine, sparking Western concerns it was planning an attack. Moscow denies it has any such plans and this week said it was pulling back some forces and weapons, though it gave few details.

NEW YORK - A Long Island La-Z Boy furniture store on Sunrise Highway went up in flames Wednesday after a gasoline tank truck slammed into the buildingThe roughly 13,000-gallon truck struck the empty store in Rockville Center at about 1:15 a.m. and spread to another building and the street.

PALM COAST, Fla. - A Palm Coast man is accused of beating his nine-year-old son after he and his younger brother made several iPad app purchases. Deputies said Andrew Atkerson picked up his son and threw him against the walls and closets in their home on Feb 3. The alleged beating left bruises under both of the boy's eyes, his left hip, and his upper back right shoulder. According to the Flagler Sheriff's Office, the child's mother reported the incident after picking him up from school and seeing the bruises. When Atkerson was questioned about the bruises, he told the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), "I might have over punished them a little bit."Since 2004, Atkerson has faced 20 different charges in California and Florida, according to authorities.

GENEVA :

Craig David has postponed his BRITs Week show for War Child this week after testing positive for COVID.The singer and rapper was set to play a gig at London’s Under The Bridge venue tomorrow (February 17) as part of a series of charity shows in the capital surrounding the 2022 BRIT Awards, which were held at The O2 last Tuesday (February 8).Taking to his social media accounts to reveal the diagnosis and postpone the show, David wrote: “I’m so sorry, but I woke up feeling a touch funky this morning so I did some tests and unfortunately tested positive for COVID. I’m feeling ok and just taking it easy in isolation.“Apologies to anyone coming to my BRITs War Child show this coming Thursday, it has been rescheduled and will now happen on Thursday 10th March… I hope you can all still make it!”A post shared by Craig David (@craigdavid)Later this year, Craig David is set to release a new album called ’22’.

CNBC, he said, "I think that is a reasonable scenario." “There’s an 80% chance that as omicron evolves or SarsCov-2 virus evolves, we are going to see less and less virulent viruses," the Moderna CEO said.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

Before a civil trial could go ahead, Prince Andrew has reached an out-of-court settlement with Virgina Giuffre, who’s accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.

Rylan Clark has revealed that he felt as though he was "hit round the face" following his split from Dan Neal after six years of marriage.TV and radio presenter Rylan took four months off work on BBC Radio 2 and was later hospitalised after "losing" himself over the separation. Now, the 33 year old, who recently shared a health update after being rushed to hospital with a mystery illness, has opened up on his mental wellbeing on his podcast Ry-Union, where he explained the break up was "hard to deal with". “I’ve never in my life thought that I would go through a crisis like that," he shared.

EastEnders actress June Brown has turned another year older and marked her 94th birthday on February 16.The soap icon is beat known for playing Dot Cotton and joined the BBC One soap back in 1985.In 2005, she won Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards and previously received the Lifetime Achievement award at the British Soap Awards.June was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to drama and to charity.In 2009, she was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress, making her the second performer to receive a BAFTA nomination for their work in a soap opera, after Jean Alexander.It was announced in February 2020 that June had decided to leave EastEnders behind and quit her role as chain-smoking Dot permanently.To celebrate the birthday girl, Daily Star has taken a look back at her wild life from opening up about being "sick and tired" of having sex to her unexpected friendship with pop sensation turned Hollywood actress Lady Gaga.June was born on 16 February 1927 in Needham Market, Suffolk and was one of five children.Her younger brother John Peter died of pneumonia in 1932 at 15 days old, and her elder sister Marise died in 1934 aged eight from a meningitis-like illness. She was educated at St John's Church of England School in Ipswich and then won a scholarship to Ipswich High School, where she passed the school certificate examinations.During the Second World War, she was evacuated to the Welsh village of Pontyates in Carmarthenshire.

schools which have been conducting online classes, too, shifted to the physical mode today. "Making them adapt to a new atmosphere which is different from the familiar comforts of their homes will be our primary task. 

Gemma Collins has revealed she's had to have a nurse come to her home and administer an IV drip after struggling to recover from coronavirus. Former The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma, 41, opened up to fans on her Instagram stories as she filmed herself having a vitamin C drip put in and explained she's been feeling "exhausted" lately. As Gemma filmed herself with the cannula in her arm, which was being fixed on by her nurse, she explained to her followers: "So guys, today I am poorly.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Director General of Health Services has issued a circular with respect to the deaths reported in Sri Lanka.According to the circular, all deaths that take place in hospitals and residences or other locations are NOT subject to mandatory PCR tests.However, a PCR can be carried out on the remains of a deceased person at the discretion of the Judicial Medical Officer.

New Zealand Covid-19 infections reached a record high as anti-vaccine protesters claimed victory after police failed to clear vehicles blocking the streets around parliament.

For the first time in Canadian history, Ottawa granted itself extraordinary powers. Invoking the Emergencies Act, Monday, in a move designed to choke off the money keeping protesters across the country fueled and fed. Aaron McArthur reports.