Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #2

[LadyL]

Rate of COVID-19 variant spread ‘very concerning’ as cases near 3,000

 

[Tadpole12]

Rate of COVID-19 variant spread ‘very concerning’ as cases near 3,000

"Furness predicts that schools will likely need to close briefly in April."

 

[LadyL]

What it's like being one of the few people with 'super antibodies' against COVID-19

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappen...2jKMppC6Fj6WlSENEeOnP5GBmB0pqlJRZ9RRvcBuxujoA

 

[Tadpole12]

Ontario sees 1,468 new COVID-19 cases, 11 new deaths

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid19-cases-1.5948791

 

[Sundog]

COVID-19 survivors may only need one vaccine dose, study says

I came across this interesting article while looking for info online regarding Covid vaccines in Alberta, where my brother and his family live. This article reports on an initial study that shows that people who have already had Covid seem to only need one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, because the first dose functions for them like the second dose functions for people who haven't had Covid. For Covid survivors, the first dose functions as the booster shot, like the second dose does for people who have not had Covid. If this turns out to be the case after more studies, then this would really increase the available doses of vaccine to distribute in Canada and elsewhere around the world. Very interesting study.

 

[deugirtni]

COVID-19 survivors may only need one vaccine dose, study says

I came across this interesting article while looking for info online regarding Covid vaccines in Alberta, where my brother and his family live. This article reports on an initial study that shows that people who have already had Covid seem to only need one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, because the first dose functions for them like the second dose functions for people who haven't had Covid. For Covid survivors, the first dose functions as the booster shot, like the second dose does for people who have not had Covid. If this turns out to be the case after more studies, then this would really increase the available doses of vaccine to distribute in Canada and elsewhere around the world. Very interesting study.

Now there's an idea (from article quoted above):

“Why not start doing things like antibody testing on the day you get your vaccine? And if your antibodies are positive, you’re done. You don’t have to come back… If they’re negative, then you get your whole series,” he said.

 

[Tadpole12]

Ontario reports 1,747 new COVID cases Sunday - SooToday.com

Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine booking system ready to launch for those eligible, Doug Ford says

 

[LadyL]

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines under investigation ‘not shipped to Canada’, officials say

 

[LadyL]

COVID-19 survivors may only need one vaccine dose, study says

I came across this interesting article while looking for info online regarding Covid vaccines in Alberta, where my brother and his family live. This article reports on an initial study that shows that people who have already had Covid seem to only need one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, because the first dose functions for them like the second dose functions for people who haven't had Covid. For Covid survivors, the first dose functions as the booster shot, like the second dose does for people who have not had Covid. If this turns out to be the case after more studies, then this would really increase the available doses of vaccine to distribute in Canada and elsewhere around the world. Very interesting study.

that would be great news

 

[LadyL]

Why is B.C. on its 1st age group when Alberta is opening vaccination to anyone 65+?

 

[otto]

There are some very interesting superstition ideas amongst some cultures regarding the pandemic:

"Minutes after he took a quick dip in the Ganges, Bhavesh Patel told CBC News he had zero worries about the virus spreading at this massive festival.

"Nobody's infected here, nobody. And even if they are, once they dip [into the Ganges], they are all pure," he said. "There is no COVID here."

Patel, 56, travelled to the festival from New York and said he was determined to attend, "COVID or no COVID." The feelings he expressed are prevalent here.

"I'm not worried about the virus, because I take care of myself," said Anita Verma, standing beside her father, Sitaram. They're both from Rajasthan, a 12-hour drive away.

Just then, her father interjected, and Verma repeated his sentiment: "The river itself sanitizes us from the COVID virus, so it's very pure. It saves us," she said.
​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/india-covid-19-immunity-1.5947454

Coronavirus Update (Live): 120,616,867 Cases and 2,668,273 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

 

[Tadpole12]

Ontario Hospital Association declares 3rd COVID-19 wave, cites sharp rise in variant cases

'I think I am going to put a ball and a chain around his ankle to keep him:' Hillier set to depart March 31


Ontario reports 9 more COVID-19 deaths, daily cases top 1,200 - CityNews Toronto

"Ontario reported 1,268 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, a drop from 1,747 cases confirmed the day before
It is the ninth day in a row of more than 1,000 new cases. However, health officials had said that Sunday’s case count was higher than expected “due to a data catch-up process” in the system."


Faith leaders welcome new rules allowing 15 per cent capacity for religious services

 

[deugirtni]

Canada will recommend AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine for those over 65, documents show

mRNA vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech will still be 'prioritized' for seniors: documents

Canada will change its guidelines on the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine and recommend it be given to those over age 65, according to documents obtained by CBC News and sources with direct knowledge of the guidelines.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) previously recommended Canadians over 65 not receive an AstraZeneca-Oxford shot earlier this month, despite emerging evidence from around the world demonstrating its ability to prevent severe COVID-19 in older adults.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/astrazeneca-vaccine-canada-covid-19-1.5950580
=======
Trudeau says AstraZeneca vaccine is safe after some European countries suspend its use

'The best vaccine for you to take is the very first one that is offered to you,' prime minister says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine is safe and Canadians should have no concerns about receiving it, after nearly a dozen European countries suspended its use over concerns about blood clots.

"Health Canada and our experts have spent an awful lot of time making sure every vaccine approved in Canada is both safe and effective," Trudeau said.

"The best vaccine for you to take is the very first one that is offered to you. That's how we get through this as quickly as possible and as safely as possible."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-astrazeneca-safe-1.5950176
=======
What you need to know about the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine

Provincial, federal authorities maintain shot is safe, effective despite being suspended elsewhere

In response to the suspensions of its vaccine, AstraZeneca said it had carefully reviewed the data on 17 million people who received doses across Europe and found there were 37 cases where people developed blood clots. It said there was "no evidence of an increased risk'' of blood clots in any age group or gender in any country.

"This is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar across other licensed COVID-19 vaccines,'' the company said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-astrazeneca-oxford-covid-canada-1.5947350

 

[Tadpole12]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-ontario-march-16-third-wave-variants-1.5951394

Ontario sees 1,074 new COVID-19 cases as expert advisory group says 3rd wave underway

Ford warns Ontarians to be 'very cautious' after province's science advisers declare third wave of COVID-19

 

[Tadpole12]

Study finds COVID U.K. variant 55 per cent more lethal, as ICU admissions in Ontario creep up | National Post'

"We don’t want this 55 per cent number to scare people into thinking "this is a big risk for me,"' unless people are elderly or otherwise very sick"

 

[LadyL]

B.C.’s first batch of AstraZeneca headed for workers at food processing plants, industrial camps

 

[LadyL]

There are some very interesting superstition ideas amongst some cultures regarding the pandemic:

"Minutes after he took a quick dip in the Ganges, Bhavesh Patel told CBC News he had zero worries about the virus spreading at this massive festival.

"Nobody's infected here, nobody. And even if they are, once they dip [into the Ganges], they are all pure," he said. "There is no COVID here."

Patel, 56, travelled to the festival from New York and said he was determined to attend, "COVID or no COVID." The feelings he expressed are prevalent here.

"I'm not worried about the virus, because I take care of myself," said Anita Verma, standing beside her father, Sitaram. They're both from Rajasthan, a 12-hour drive away.

Just then, her father interjected, and Verma repeated his sentiment: "The river itself sanitizes us from the COVID virus, so it's very pure. It saves us," she said.
​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/india-covid-19-immunity-1.5947454

View attachment 288890

Coronavirus Update (Live): 120,616,867 Cases and 2,668,273 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

just wow

 

[Tadpole12]

B.C.’s first batch of AstraZeneca headed for workers at food processing plants, industrial camps

Best Before date ... wrt AstraZeneca

"A majority of the current shipment — 41,000 doses — is set to expire on April 3." ...

"Other jurisdictions, including Ontario, are using the vaccine to immunize citizens between 60 and 64 years of age."

 

[deugirtni]

AstraZeneca vaccine now recommended for use on seniors, Canadian committee says
The decision reverses a recommendation made by the body two weeks ago when the panel of vaccine experts said AstraZeneca hadn't done enough clinical trials

“You have to realize that when we issued a recommendation on March 1, there was only one real-world effectiveness study that had been issued,” said NACI chair Dr. Caroline Quach at a virtual news conference Tuesday morning. “And that study that we will discuss a bit further, later on was not deemed of sufficient quality to modify policy.”


Quach said two more studies of patients who received the vaccine in the United Kingdom have been released since then and show the AstraZeneca vaccine is both safe and effective for seniors, particularly against severe disease and hospitalization.

AstraZeneca vaccine now recommended for use on seniors, Canadian committee says | National Post

 

[deugirtni]

More provinces expanding vaccine rollouts as COVID-19 cases rise nationally
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the province’s COVID-19 vaccine booking system is ready to start taking appointments for those 80 and older as of Monday morning, following recent pilot projects allowing some pharmacies and family doctors to deliver the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines to people ages 60 to 64.

Saskatchewan also expanded its rollout, announcing that anyone who is 70 or older can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday.


In Saskatchewan’s Northern Administrative District, the cutoff age is 50 and over.


Quebec, which is already vaccinating people ages 70 and up across the province or 65 and up in Montreal, will expand its booking system as of Monday to add some 350 pharmacies to the list of places where people can get shots.
...
Albertans who were born between 1957 and 1961, and First Nations, Metis and Inuit people born between 1972 and 1976, are eligible for the AstraZeneca shots.
More provinces expanding vaccine rollouts as COVID-19 cases rise nationally | Toronto Sun