Good evening, we’re updating the coronavirus newsletter to better reflect the pandemic as it changes. What would you like to see included? Send your thoughts to audience@globeandmail.com
Top headlines:
South Africa detects a new COVID-19 variant, still studying its mutations Quebec Health Department recommends a third COVID-19 dose for the immunocompromised Mothers returning to work after COVID-19 lockdowns will face a lifelong earnings gap In Canada, 22,059 cases have been reported, up 23 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 102 deaths announced, down 9 per cent over the same period. At least 1,065 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,438,289 others are considered recovered.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 11th among countries with a population of one million or more people.
Open this photo in gallery
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 ？ Tracking vaccine doses ？ Lockdown rules and reopening
Photo of the day Open this photo in gallery
An Israeli man takes a selfie while receiving the third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from medical staff at a coronavirus vaccination center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Israel is grappling with a surge of infections and urging people over age 12 to get a booster shot.
Oded Balilty/The Associated Press
Coronavirus in Canada Quebec’s Health Department is recommending a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people who are immunocompromised or on dialysis. Anyone who qualifies for a third dose is able to get one immediately at any walk-in vaccination clinic across the province. The province also reported 386 new cases today and no further deaths attributed COVID-19. Manitoba said its vaccination cards and QR digital bar codes are now available to anyone with two doses – in any combination – of approved vaccines more than two weeks ago, including those without a health card. Health authorities in British Columbia have declared COVID-19 outbreaks at two hospitals – Chilliwack General Hospital and Fort St. John Hospital. Meanwhile, the national union representing RCMP officers is concerned about statements by B.C.’s premier regarding police enforcement of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine card system set to take effect Sept. 13. The chairman of Alberta’s United Conservative caucus is denying he said he wanted more unvaccinated people to catch COVID-19 so the province could attain herd immunity. Nathan Neudorf says he wants cases to go down and that getting more people vaccinated is the best way to achieve that. Ontario reported 694 new cases today and no new deaths attributed to COVID-19. Many schools in Western Canada are still sorting out vaccination and testing requirements for back-to-school before classes resume next week. With in-person school on the near horizon, many women whose careers were sidelined by child-care duties during the pandemic are eyeing a return to work.
But even those whose re-entry is smooth will pay for their time away from the workplace in the form of lower lifetime earnings, missed advancement opportunities and lower pensions, researchers say. Coronavirus around the world Scientists in South Africa have detected a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations. The new variant, known as C.1.2, was first detected in May and has now spread to most South African provinces and to seven other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has extended a lockdown in Auckland by two weeks, while officials reported the country’s first death linked to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The health ministry announced a woman had died because of myocarditis, which is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer vaccine. COVID-19 booster shots are a way to protect the most vulnerable, says a senior World Health Organization official. “A third dose of vaccine is not a luxury booster (that is) taken away from someone who is still waiting for a first jab. It’s basically a way to keep the most vulnerable safe,” said WHO Europe head Hans Kluge. The European Union has recommended that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on U.S. tourists because of rising coronavirus infections there. Japan has suspended use of another million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine as contamination woes widen. Foreign substances were found in more batches and two people died following shots from affected lots. In the United States, an advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unanimously recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for people age 16 and older. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the vaccine last week. The CDC also says that Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial participants count as fully vaccinated two weeks after dosing. Globe opinion Kristen Hopewell: Third COVID-19 shots must be offered to immunocompromised Canadians Irvin Studin: How to fix Canada’s education catastrophe in five steps Wesley Wark: Canadians deserve to hear how parties will keep them safe More reporting New data confirm Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines bring a small risk of heart problems Demand surges for deworming drug for COVID-19, despite no evidence it works Supply chain issues hampering Canadian tech companies as COVID-19 pandemic continues Information centre Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people Waiting for a second dose? We answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions What is and isn’t ‘paid sick leave’ in Canada? A short primer Got a vaccine ‘hangover’? Here’s why 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.
What are we missing? Email us: audience@globeandmail.com. Do you know someone who needs this newsletter? Send them to our Newsletters page.