A new month means a fresh set of bills for Canadian families and businesses struggling with the health and financial fallout from the global coronavirus pandemic. Here’s a look at the latest COVID-19 developments across Canada, the United States and the rest of the world.
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A new month means a fresh set of bills for Canadian families and businesses struggling with the health and financial fallout from the global coronavirus pandemic.
With case numbers rising, several provinces have made moves recently to extend orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by a novel coronavirus that emerged in China and has since spread around the world. B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix on Tuesday told people in his province there is “zero chance — none” that orders meant to tackle COVID-19 would be varied by the end of this month.
“I think we’re in this for a long time,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has announced several programs meant to support families and businesses struggling to pay bills, but there is no firm timeline for when money will start flowing for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or the business support programs.
The government has said previously that it hopes to have an online portal for CERB applicants up by early April, with a goal of having payments flowing within 10 days of receiving an individual’s application.
- For full details on what’s happening in your province, visit the CBC interactive case tracker
- The flurry of daily pandemic data can be overwhelming. Here’s how to make sense of it
- Some health experts questioning advice against wider use of masks to slow spread of COVID-19
As of 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday, officials in Canada had reported at least 8,612 confirmed and presumptive cases, with 108 deaths. The provinces and territories that are providing details on recovered cases have listed a total of 1,290 as resolved. Public health officials have cautioned that reported numbers don’t capture the full picture, as there are potential cases that haven’t been identified or tested, as well as cases where investigations are ongoing or lab results are not yet in.
A tracking database maintained by Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday listed more than 860,000 reported cases worldwide. The database draws on data from a variety of sources, including the World Health Organization, national health agencies and media reports.
In hard-hit Spain, health authorities reported a new record of 864 deaths in one day as total reported cases passed 100,000, making it the third country to pass that milestone after the United States and Italy.
Spanish health authorities said Wednesday that the total number of deaths reached 9,053 since the beginning of the outbreak. Total infections hit 102,136. But the 24-hour increase of 7,719 was 1,500 fewer than the increase from the previous day, offering hope that the contagion rate is stabilizing.
Push on to procure protective gear
Back in Canada, Trudeau said Tuesday that his government is working with provinces and allocating billions for the procurement of gowns, gloves, test kits and other critical supplies for Canada’s health-care systems.
Provincially run health systems have been working to ready themselves for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients, but supply of that critical gear is a growing concern. In Quebec on Tuesday, Premier François Legault cautioned that supplies were getting tight — with only three to seven days worth of supplies for some equipment. Legault said Ontario had sent some gear to assist Quebec in tackling its growing case load.
“We’re using 10 times more medical equipment as normal,” said Health Minister Danielle McCann. “So what we used in one year, we’re using in four weeks.”
WATCH | COVID-19 cases in Quebec top 4,000:
Quebec says it went through a year’s worth of personal protective equipment in a matter of weeks after a surge in cases. 2:06
The new virus causes mild to moderate symptoms for most people, but some people — including older adults and people with underlying health issues — face a higher risk of severe disease and death. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says that the situation is evolving daily, but currently describes COVID-19 as a “serious health threat.” PHAC notes that the risk varies “between and within communities,” but said given rising case numbers “the risk to Canadians is considered high.”
PHAC said risk doesn’t mean that all Canadians will be infected — rather, it means that there is already a “significant impact” on the health system. “If we do not flatten the epidemic curve now, the increase of COVID-19 cases could impact health-care resources available to Canadians.”
Here’s a look at what’s happening in the provinces and territories
British Columbia now has more than 1,000 known COVID-19 cases, including a cluster at a West Kelowna nursery. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, said the outbreak occurred in a group of temporary foreign workers. “The business itself is being quarantined and everybody is able to be isolated effectively in the very good housing that is on-site there.” Read more about what’s happening in B.C., including the story of a Vancouver ER doctor who contracted COVID-19.
WATCH | Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about how long restrictions may last in B.C.:
Dr. Bonnie Henry says she hopes for a reprieve for the summer, but B.C. should prepare for a second wave in the fall. 1:09
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health reminded the community to take care of the vulnerable as its COVID-19 related death toll increased to nine. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said following public-health orders doesn’t mean people can’t help and support each other. “We are all in this together and now, more than ever, kindness matters.” Read more about what’s happening in Alberta.
Saskatchewan’s chief medical officer said the province is seeing more cases that don’t link back to travel. Dr. Saqib Shahab said one of the province’s first two deaths was a case of community transmission. Read more about what’s happening in Saskatchewan.
In Manitoba, there are at least three cases of health-care workers testing positive for COVID-19. Dr. Brent Roussin, chief public health officer in the province, said the province has “as many protocols as we can to protect our staff, which is one of our biggest priorities.” Read more about what’s happening in Manitoba.
Ontario is nearing 2,000 COVID-19 cases, officials said, warning that hospitalizations are expected to increase in the coming days. The province also announced that in-class learning is suspended until at least early May. Read more about what’s happening in Ontario.
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