Good evening, here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- Despite coronavirus public-health guidelines advising against travel, the Ontario Finance Minister is vacationing outside the country while the province is in lockdown.
- Britain is seeing “unprecedented levels of COVID-19 infection,” with the country reporting a record 53,135 new cases.
- A journalist in China who reported on the coronavirus pandemic from Wuhan has been jailed, prompting criticism from the European Union.
In Canada, there have been at least 565,504 cases reported. In the last week 43,995 new cases were announced, 5 per cent fewer than the previous week.
There have also been at least 477,856 recoveries and 15,378 deaths. Health officials have administered more than 15,883,592 tests.
Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Lockdown rules and reopening • Canada’s vaccine distribution plan • Developing/approved vaccines • Pfizer’s vaccine, explained • Moderna’s vaccine, explained • Essential resources
Photo of the day
Vice-president-elect Kamala Harris receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, administered by registered nurse Patricia Cummings, at United Medical Center in Washington today.AL DRAGO/The New York Times News Service
Coronavirus in Canada
- Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips is on vacation outside the country, even as federal officials urge Canadians to avoid non-essential travel and the province is in provincewide lockdown. And, Ontario is ramping up COVID-19 vaccinations after facing criticism for closing clinics over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- Quebec called for international travellers to be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result before they board a plane home as the province confirmed its first case of the COVID-19 variant first identified in the U.K.
- A new poll shows 30 per cent of people in Alberta were satisfied with Premier Jason Kenney’s handling of COVID-19 – the lowest level of satisfaction of all of Canada’s 10 provincial leaders.
In Ottawa, some economic sectors are waiting for the extra relief promised in the federal government’s fall economic update, with more information on the programs said to become available “most likely in January.”
- The wait is likely too long for the hardest-hit sectors, according to a survey of 2,100 businesses. The surveys found that 23 per cent of businesses expect to run out of money in January, and another 19 per cent said they won’t survive February.
- The hardest-hit sectors are ones that rely on in-person gatherings, such as the arts and entertainment industries.
- The federal government’s economic update promised loans of as much as $1-million with repayment terms of up to 10 years and interest rates below typical market rates. In a statement, the government said the work to create the program is “ongoing and with urgency.”
COVID-19 and mental health: Canada faces mounting mental health concerns that need to be addressed in 2021, the federal Industry Minister Navdeep Bains said.
Coronavirus around the world
- U.S. vice-president-elect Kamala Harris received a COVID-19 vaccination live on TV.
- Britain was warned it’s heading for “catastrophe” if it doesn’t take tougher action against the more infectious coronavirus variant.
- Citizen-journalist Zhang Zhan, who reported on the coronavirus pandemic from Wuhan, China, has been sentenced to four years in jail.
- South Africa is grappling with a surge of coronavirus cases from the new variant. The increase is forcing many hospitals to ration oxygen and is overwhelming hospital capacity.
Globe opinion
- John Ibbitson: Canada is really a bumblebee nation – resilient. But the true test lies ahead.
- André Picard: This is a crisis of unprecedented scope and gravity. Yet, the government isn’t acting with urgency on the vaccine rollout.
- Preston Manning: Lately, the middle ground seems to have evaporated. Polarization and division is the order of the day in Canada.
- Claire Porter Robbins: Albertans with addictions are using CERB to buy dope – or at least that’s what Premier Jason Kenney would like you to believe.
More reporting
- 2008′s financial crisis was a global disaster. When COVID-19 hit, its lessons were Canada’s saving grace
- Mandatory masks, shuttered theatres and confusing rules: The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and its similarities with today
- The dual ATP-WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., is postponed because of COVID-19 concerns
Information centre
- When will a COVID-19 vaccine be available in Canada? How well do they work? Here’s what you need to know.
- Rob Carrick’s 10-point checklist of things you should have done by now to protect or improve your money situation. Tips for minimizing damage to your credit score; how to manage retirement anxiety during difficult times; and things to think about if you’re considering home delivery.
- Here are the expectations for self-isolation; tips for managing anxiety and protecting your mental health; and what to do if you think you have the virus. Wash your hands. How to break a bad habit (like touching your face). Is flying safe?
- The best foods to eat to maintain an immune system-friendly diet; and how to keep a healthy diet while working from home; four eating tips when working from home; and five mistakes that might cause you to gain unwanted weight. Here are the essentials to stock up on and how to shop safely for groceries; the best pantry staples and how to stop stress-eating.
- Find answers to your coronavirus and employment questions.
Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins.
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