Category: News

A senior government source has confirmed that Ontario students will return to the classroom on Monday January 17th. Schools were shut down right before they were due to resume last week. The government blamed the strain on the health system and pandemic-related staff shortages.  Shipments of N95 masks were sent to school boards and school authorities on Monday, and some … Read more

An Australian judge has reinstated tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa, which was cancelled last week because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. However, that doesn’t guarantee Djokovic will be able to play in next week’s Australian Open. A government lawyer says the minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs will consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation … Read more

Ontarians with COVID-19 symptoms can leave isolation sooner than the required five days if two rapid antigen tests come back negative. Chief public health officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, says people can resume their regular activities if they receive two negative rapid test results separated by 24 to 48 hours and if their symptoms improve for 24 hours. The province says … Read more

US health officials are not changing the definition of being “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19 but are advising people to get booster shots when eligible. The decision means that federal vaccination mandates in the US for travel or employment won’t require a booster dose. The move to keep the existing definition to two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna … Read more

New COVID-19 restrictions are now in effect in Ontario. Cinemas, gyms, theatres and restaurants must close for indoor activities while retail stores and personal care services are limited to 50 per cent capacity. Social gatherings are limited to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors. 

We need to blunt the latest surge of #COVID19 cases. That’s the goal of these

Restaurants and bars across Ontario are required to halt indoor dining while shopping malls and personal care services must reduce their capacity to 50 per cent starting at midnight. The province announced the new COVID-19 restrictions in a bid to curtail the province’s soaring COVID-19 cases. The new measures are expected to remain in place until at least January 26th. … Read more

The Ontario government says asymptomatic hospital workers who have been exposed to COVID-19 need not isolate if they test negative for the virus daily. The province has made the recommendation in an effort to safeguard hospital staffing levels as cases surge due to the highly contagious Omicron variant. The government says any hospital worker who develops COVID-19 symptoms should isolate … Read more

A stark difference is emerging in how Americans are combatting the Omicron variant, compared to officials in Canada. While Canadians deal with a long list of new restrictions and warnings to avoid holiday gatherings, President Biden has told vaccinated Americans they can enjoy Christmas safely.  His Omicron plan includes sending 1,000 troops to overwhelmed hospitals sending 500 million tests to … Read more

A major Toronto hospital network is pausing non-essential surgeries and ambulatory care due to surge in COVID-19 cases. Unity Health CEO Tim Rutledge says they need to focus all efforts and people on caring for patients and clearing capacity to meet the demands of the pandemic. There were 165 people in intensive care due to COVID-19 right now, including 101 … Read more

COVID-19 has forced an earlier- and longer-than-expected break in the National Hockey League schedule. The NHL and its Players’ Association jointly announced Monday night the suspension of all operations from Wednesday to Christmas Day amid a rise in positive tests among players and staff. Only two of 10 games scheduled for tonight will be played, and all remaining games this … Read more

Ontarians scrambled to get booster shot appointments yesterday as booster eligibility expanded to every adult in the province. The Ontario government said more than 186-thousand third-dose appointments were booked through its portal as of 3 p-m yesterday, but many residents said they had trouble finding shots in their regions in the coming days. Meanwhile, long line-ups were reported at some … Read more

Starting today Ontarians 18 and older can book a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot through the provincial portal — providing it’s been at least three months since their second shot. Pharmacies are also offering the boosters to younger adults as the province steps up efforts to battle the rampant spread of the Omicron variant. New public health restrictions have also been … Read more

Ontario’s COVID-19 science table says people in the province need to cut their personal contacts by half to blunt the impact of the Omicron variant. They claim ICU admissions could exceed 600 by New Year’s Eve and new cases could rise to 10,000 a day by Christmas, without new public health measures. The co-chair of the province’s science advisory table … Read more

A new study found that Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine produced virtually no antibody response to the Omicron variant.  South African virologist Penny Moore found that a key measure of antibody levels fell fell from 303 against the original strain to undetectable levels against Omicron in those with the J&J shot.  Among those who received the Pfizer shot, the antibody … Read more

All eligible adults in Ontario will be able to book a COVID-19 booster shot appointment come Monday — so long as three months have passed since their second vaccine dose. Premier Ford announced the sped-up booster rollout plan yesterday as a measure to combat the Omicron variant. Anyone who was already eligible for boosters at a longer dose interval can … Read more

Premier Ford is expected to make an announcement today about COVID-19 booster doses. The province’s top doctor says he will recommend Ford’s government take province-wide measures to combat the rapidly spreading Omicron COVID-19 variant. Dr. Kieran Moore says the regional approach to public health restrictions was designed with the Delta variant in mind and Omicron poses a different threat. The … Read more

An Arkansas waitress was fired after getting a $4,400 tip — which her manager then made her split with other staffers.  The huge tip came on Dec. 6, when Ryan Brandt and another server worked a party of more than 40 at Oven and Tap in Bentonville.  Each diner had chipped in $100 in tip money — believing the … Read more

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reporting a recall of a salad kit from Taylor Fresh Foods. The California-based company is recalling its Taylor Farms brand Maple Bourbon Chopped Kit due to a possible salmonella contamination. The affected salad kit was sold in 315-gram packages with a best before date of December 11th. They were distributed in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, … Read more