Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Thursday, November 4, 2021:
- There have been 601,086 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 378 cases from the previous day (VAX: 183 unvaccinated, 12 partially vaccinated, 142 fully vaccinated, 41 unknown). There have been 588,107 people recovered from the virus while 9,886 have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 19,034,680 of which 13,643 have pending results.
- Canada’s coronavirus case total is 1,722,570. The country has 29,095 deaths from the virus – 10 in the Yukon, 11 in the Northwest Territories, four in Nunavut, 2,192 in British Columbia, 3,133 in Alberta, 862 in Saskatchewan, 1,251 in Manitoba, 9,886 in Ontario, 11,510 in Quebec, 119 in New Brunswick, 16 in Newfoundland & Labrador and 101 in Nova Scotia.
- The Eastern Ontario Health Unit added four cases Wednesday – two in SD&G and two to Cornwall – to bring the regional total to 5,834 confirmed cases, of which 57 are active (two more than Tuesday) and 5,649 are resolved (two more than Tuesday). The number of deaths to date is 127. There are 11 people in hospital (one fewer than Tuesday) and three in the ICU (one more than Tuesday). There are three institutional outbreaks (no change from Tuesday). Testing increased 304 to 167,506. The breakdown of cases is: Prescott-Russell 2,262 cases (seven active), SD&G 1,347 cases (14 active), Cornwall 1,743 cases (28 active) and Akwesasne (ON/QC) 482 cases (eight active)(Akwesasne health department had no update Wednesday: 484 total cases, six active, nine deaths to date).
- The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit added one case Wednesday to bring the regional total to 1,943 confirmed cases, of which nine are active (one more than Tuesday) and 1,871 are recovered (no change from Tuesday). The number of deaths to date is 63. There is one person in hospital (no change from Tuesday). There are no active institutional outbreaks. The community case breakdown is: Lanark County East 431 cases (one active), Lanark County West 435 cases (two active), Leeds-Grenville Central 240 cases (one active), Leeds-Grenville East 392 cases (two active), Leeds-Grenville West 215 cases (two active) and Unknown/Out of Region 23 cases (one active).
- Vaccines: Ontario 22,552,851 (+16,933, last update Nov. 3); EOHU 330,598 (last update Nov. 3, +473 from previous update Nov. 2); LGL 150,687 individuals living in LGL with first doses, 146,090 with second doses, 2,690 with third doses. (last update Nov. 2, +410 first doses, +988 second doses, +346 third doses since previous update Oct. 26).
- People in Ontario 70 years old and older will be able to get their third booster shot starting Saturday (Nov. 6). The province estimates 2.75 million people will be eligible. To qualify, it has to be at least six months since your last shot. The province made the move based on evidence the vaccine’s ability to ward off infection starts dropping after six months. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit already started offering the booster shots at its walk-in clinics yesterday (Nov. 3).
- Brockville’s vaccination clinic is moving to Unit 6 of the Brockville Shopping Center at 125 Stewart Boulevard starting next Tuesday (Nov. 9). The health unit says the new locations will be better for vaccinating more people and will be “kid friendly” when children ages five to 11 are approved for vaccination.
- Premier Doug Ford says vaccination won’t be mandatory for hospital workers. After writing to hospitals and stakeholders, Ford says the government took those responses as “real-world evidence” and will continue with regular testing for unvaccinated health care staff. Ford also noted the number of surgery cancellations in B.C. based on staff shortages due to vaccine mandates and doesn’t want to see that happen here.
- The Quebec government has also backtracked on the vaccine mandate for its health care workers. The health minister says a plan to suspend the unvaccinated Nov. 15 would have had a devastating effect on the system. However, vaccination will be required for new hires. Unvaccinated workers will be subject to testing at least three times a week.
- Manitoba is offering third doses of vaccine for all First Nations, Metis and Inuit people as well as anyone over 70 years of age.
- A vaccine mandate for Yukon government workers has been announced. Premier Sandy Silver announced the mandate that covers front-line workers in health care and teachers. Workers must have their first dose of vaccine by the end of the month and be fully vaccinated towards the end of January 2022.
- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has tested positive for COVID-19 while in Glasgow, Scotland. The mayor is fully vaccinated and was travelling for the United Nations climate conference. His office tweeted that Garcetti is isolating in his hotel room and is feeling well.
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