East West Information

As provinces limit PCR testing, should Canadians be able to report rapid test results?

In much of the country, rapid tests indicating positive COVID-19 results are going uncounted and are not included in official provincial case counts.

December 31, 2021

Dec 30, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Thursday

British Columbia is delaying the full return to classrooms in January to allow public health officials to assess the impact of the Omicron variant and give school staff time to implement enhanced safety measures. The move comes as students, teachers...

Dec 30, 2021

Canadians growing desperate amid COVID-19 testing crunch

Canadians are growing desperate for COVID-19 tests, and experts are warning of inequity and inaccuracy in case counts, as provinces continue to report testing backlogs and soaring infections.

Dec 30, 2021

Return to in-person schooling in doubt as Omicron cases spike across Ontario

Just days before students are set to return to the classroom in Ontario, the province's back-to-school plan is clouded with uncertainty and critics are calling for more details.

Dec 30, 2021

Here's how Quebec plans to keep some COVID-infected, exposed essential workers on the job

Some health-care workers can come back to work 7 days after testing positive for COVID-19 as long as they have no symptoms, and other essential services can see COVID-positive, asymptomatic workers back on the job after five days in isolation.

Dec 30, 2021

COVID-19: Could Omicron be a turning point for the pandemic?

Infectious diseases specialists Dr. Zain Chagla and Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti answer questions about COVID-19, including whether the Omicron variant could be a turning point for the pandemic.

Dec 30, 2021

'I still haven't grieved': Families want apology for loved ones exposed to COVID-19 in hospital who died

Three Manitoba families are grieving the loss of loved ones who entered hospitals COVID-free during the pandemic only to contract the virus there and die.

Dec 29, 2021

Canadian Blood Services faces 'immediate' need for blood donors with thousands of spots open

Canadian Blood Services is calling on all Canadians to make an appointment to donate going into January. In Ontario, there are about 5,600 appointments that need to be filled by Jan. 15, 2022.

December 29, 2021

Dec 29, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Wednesday

Daily COVID-19 infections have hit record highs in the United States, swathes of Europe and Australia as the new Omicron variant of the virus races out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centres.

December 29, 2021

Dec 28, 2021

U.S. move to shorten COVID-19 isolation stirs confusion, doubt

The decision by U.S. health officials to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five is drawing criticism from some medical experts.

December 28, 2021

Dec 28, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Tuesday

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday pledged the full support of the federal government to states facing surges in COVID-19 cases from the more-transmissible omicron variant and a run on at-home tests.

December 28, 2021

Dec 27, 2021

U.S. health officials cut COVID-19 isolation, quarantine guidelines from 10 days to 5

U.S. health officials on Monday cut recommendations for isolation restrictions for Americans diagnosed with coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

December 27, 2021

Dec 27, 2021

Drop in protection given by 2 doses shows need for COVID-19 boosters, says head of Ontario's science table

Protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against infection by the novel coronavirus has waned dramatically since the highly-infectious Omicron variant started spreading across Ontario, according to data from the province’s COVID-19 Science Advisory ...

December 27, 2021

Dec 27, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Monday

COVID-19 cases continue to mount across Canada as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus becomes further entrenched in the country.

December 27, 2021

Dec 26, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Sunday

New restrictions on gatherings and restaurants are taking effect in Quebec on Sunday as Canada crossed the threshold of two million cases of COVID-19.

December 26, 2021

Dec 25, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Saturday

Pope Francis prayed for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, using his Christmas Day address to urge health care for all and vaccines for the poor, and for dialogue to prevail in resolving the world's conflicts.

December 25, 2021

Dec 25, 2021

4th COVID-19 vaccine dose recommendation needs more data, some Israeli medical experts say

The recommendation by an Israeli panel to administer a fourth vaccine to those who are over 60 is being met with a tepid response by some of the country's medical experts, who believe more data is needed.

December 25, 2021

Dec 24, 2021

Omicron's prevalence should shake off COVID-19's lingering stigma, experts say

The transmissibility of Omicron means that it can pass very easily — even to people who are vaccinated and have been trying to limit their contacts, say experts as they warn against blaming those who test positive.

Dec 24, 2021

My family caught COVID-19. Here's what I wish I'd known

For the better part of two years, I convinced myself that I could dodge COVID, writes Meaghan Blanchard. I'm not sharing my story to scare you. I'm sharing my story because I honestly thought that if I did everything right, it wouldn't hit my f...

Dec 24, 2021

'Granny dumping' troubles Ontario doctor who sees it most over the holidays

An Ontario emergency room doctor is among those drawing attention to "granny dumping" at hospitals, calling it a cry for help from families struggling to care for elderly relatives.

Dec 24, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Friday

Town of Bethlehem prepares for another quiet Christmas Eve as rise of Omicron variant means many foreign visitors staying home.

Dec 23, 2021

Heavy workload, fatigue hit pharmacists like never before in rush for COVID tests, vaccines

Pharmacy workers across Canada are struggling with an unbearable workload, as provinces change COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to fight the Omicron variant.

December 23, 2021

Dec 23, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Thursday

Two new British studies provide some early hints that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus may be milder than the Delta version.

December 23, 2021

Dec 22, 2021

U.S. approves COVID-19 pill that decreases risk of hospitalization by 90%

U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

December 22, 2021

Dec 21, 2021

N.L. reports 27 new COVID-19 cases as booster demand outstrips supply

Tuesday marks another day of long lines as the public scrambles to get their COVID-19 vaccine boosters in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dec 21, 2021

He spent 11 months in hospital recovering from COVID-19. But he's made it home in time for Christmas

After almost a year spent in hospital fighting COVID-19 and its related health complications, a Kamloops, B.C., man returned home last week, just in time for Christmas.

Dec 21, 2021

Reduce contacts now or hospitals will be overwhelmed by Omicron, says Tam

Dr. Theresa Tam is warning that even if the Omicron variant causes less severe illness, it's still more transmissible, and even a small proportion of people winding up in hospital because of it can overwhelm the health-care system.

Dec 21, 2021

Ontario logs 3,453 new COVID cases, most vaccinations since mid-July

Ontario reported 3,453 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, while public health units collectively administered their highest number of vaccines on a single day since mid-July.

Dec 21, 2021

Early data suggests Omicron cases could be milder, but take that with a grain of salt, experts say

Some of the earliest data from around the world has shown signs that many people infected with the Omicron variant ended up with milder symptoms. But Canadian experts agree it is too soon to assume the variant will affect everybody the sam...

Dec 20, 2021

Grieving mother pushes for mental health walk-in clinics in N.S.

Over a period of five years, Laureen Rushton estimates her son, Lucas, tried accessing mental health services at least 50 times. Nothing seemed to work, which is why Rushton is now pushing the Nova Scotia government to open walk-in mental health cli...

Dec 20, 2021

Pandemic backlogs put life at risk, says Winnipeg man waiting for kidney, heart transplants

The pandemic has left Manitoba's transplant program playing catchup. Now, transplant candidates and their donors face staffing shortages, surgery backlogs and longer waits for diagnostics.

Dec 20, 2021

Nurse practitioners fear for patients amid clinic closures, redeployment to COVID test sites

A decision to temporarily close nurse practitioner clinics in Saint John and redeploy staff to COVID testing and vaccination sites has sparked concern for the patients who will be left without primary care for two weeks.

Dec 20, 2021

Your baggy mask isn't going to cut it against Omicron, epidemiologist warns

The COVID-19 landscape is changing rapidly, and the things we thought would protect us are suddenly in need of a serious rethink – including, and perhaps especially, masks.

Dec 20, 2021

Yes, pandemic fatigue is an issue, experts say. Will Omicron make it worse?

"Pandemic fatigue" is the weariness among some people to abide by more coronavirus-related restrictions. But some experts say it's still unclear just what impact that fatigue might have on whether people follo...

Dec 20, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Monday

More people in Ontario can access COVID-19 booster doses on Monday, a move that comes amid concern over the Omicron variant and increasing case numbers.

Dec 19, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Sunday

Ontario is reporting 4,177 new cases on Sunday — its highest daily count since April — as stricter public health measures took effect, with capacity limits back in place in restaurants and a smaller cap on social gatherings....

December 19, 2021

Dec 19, 2021

Quebec vaccine clinic uses virtual reality to distract kids from fear of COVID-19 shots

Along with a therapy dog, colourful balloons and a huge inflatable slide, nervous children at one vaccine clinic in Quebec also have the option of putting on a virtual reality headset to play a game while getting their shot.

December 19, 2021

Dec 18, 2021

Restrictions tightened in several provinces in face of Omicron variant

As COVID-19 infections soar across the country, restrictions are being reintroduced in a desperate effort to try to slow the rampant spread of the Omicron variant.

December 18, 2021

Dec 18, 2021

COVID-19: What do we know about the severity of Omicron infections?

Infectious diseases specialists Dr. Susy Hota, Dr. Lynora Saxinger and Dr. Isaac Bogoch answer viewer questions about the Omicron variant, including what we know on the severity of infections, and what people should consider if they’ve recently rece...

December 18, 2021

Dec 17, 2021

All travellers will once again need a molecular COVID-19 test before arriving in Canada

Canada is increasing testing requirements for international travellers and dropping its travel ban on flights from 10 African countries as the government tries to quash the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Dec 17, 2021

Parents of teen with mental illnesses say 'broken' N.L. health system has failed them

The parents of a teenager experiencing suicidal ideation say they aren't able to get her the help she needs.

Dec 17, 2021

Manitoba kids under age of 6 part of clinical trial for Moderna's pediatric COVID-19 vaccine

Roughly 20 Manitoba kids are participating in a clinical trial looking at the safety and efficacy of Moderna's pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

Dec 17, 2021

In time for the holidays, free rapid COVID-19 tests now up for grabs in Alberta

Starting Friday, 700 select pharmacies — in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer — and 140 Alberta Health Services sites in other communities will have the test kits available.

Dec 17, 2021

The frustration of vaccine hunting is back, say Ottawa residents

Ottawa residents on the lookout for their COVID-19 booster shots this week say some of the frustration of earlier vaccine hunts is back.

Dec 17, 2021

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Friday

Nova Scotia's premier and chief medical officer of health are expected to provide an update on the pandemic and the Omicron variant later Friday, a day after their province and neighbouring New Brunswick both reported record high single-day COV...

Dec 17, 2021

Canada's vaccine reserve exceeds 4 million doses, prompting calls for better tracking of donations

As Omicron spreads across Canada and the world, Canadian vaccine equity advocates say the federal government needs to be more transparent with what it does with excess COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Dec 16, 2021

Kingston area going back to early autumn COVID-19 rules in latest bid to turn tide

The City of Kingston and the local public health unit are further tightening COVID-19 restrictions as the region struggles to turn around skyrocketing infection rates turbocharged by the Omicron variant.

December 16, 2021

Dec 16, 2021