Good evening, here are the top coronavirus headlines tonight:

       Top headlines:

       Ontario Premier Doug Ford is asking residents to be patient as the province’s COVID-19 vaccine-certificate system takes effect Canadian provinces already have more COVID-19 vaccine doses than they can currently use – prompting the government to pause further deliveries Lockdowns are for the birds: New research shows about two-thirds of North American bird species changed their behaviour as humans stayed indoors during the pandemic’s early months In the past seven days, 30,205 cases were reported, flat at zero per cent from the previous seven days. There were 232 deaths announced, up 17 per cent over the same period. At least 2,282 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,517,306 others are considered recovered.

       Canada’s inoculation rate is 13th among countries with a population of one million or more people.

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       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

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       Advocates from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and several of its partner organizations, along with other concerned citizens, held a protest and 'die-in' in front of the world headquarters of COVID-19 vaccine maker Johnson & Johnson as part of a "Vaccinate Our World" campaign on Wednesday in New Brunswick, N.J. Advocates charged J&J with refusing to expand global production of its vaccine by withholding patents and manufacturing know-how from other producers and for exporting vaccines produced in South Africa to Europe while 94 per cent of people in Africa remain unvaccinated due to severe vaccine shortages.

       Bruce Gilbert/The Associated Press

       Coronavirus in Canada In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford urged patience with business owners and front-line staff as the province’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination system comes into effect today. Calling the measure “exceptional,” Ford said the system will only be in place as long as necessary. In Alberta, at least seven doctors were warned for spreading COVID-19 misinformation, the province’s medical regulator said. In Quebec, a man allegedly repeatedly punched a nurse in the face for providing his wife with a COVID-19 vaccine, according to police. Meanwhile, the province said it is tabling a bill banning anti-vaccine protests near schools and hospitals. “It doesn’t make sense to have anti-vaccine protests in front of places that are for our children or our patients,” Premier Francois Legault said. Meanwhile, the manager of Résidence Herron, a Montreal long-term care home where 47 residents died during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, told a coroner’s inquiry today that staffing issues played a part in the crisis. Across Canada, doctors are seeing an uptick in requests for medical exemptions as COVID-19 vaccine mandates begin to come into effect in several provinces. But, doctors warn that there are very few conditions that meet the criteria for a medical exemption.

       The Ontario Medical Association has already seen a small rise in requests for medical exemptions. However, there are very few conditions that meet the criteria for a medical exemption, making it unlikely that many who ask will qualify, according to the president of the Canadian Medical Association. “The reality is, valid medical exemptions for vaccination are very few, so it is fairly straightforward,” Dr. Katharine Smart said. Impact on wildlife: New research suggests that North American bird species had a literal field day during the pandemic while humans were stuck inside.

       Vaccine supply: Canada is currently sitting on a stockpile of 18.7 million vaccine doses and doesn’t need any more to fully vaccinate eligible people over the age of 12.

       COVID-19 vaccines: Passports, mandates and public restrictions across Canada

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       Coronavirus around the world The United States is doubling its purchase of Pfizer’s COVID-19 shots to share 1 billion doses with the world with the goal of ensuring 70 per cent of the global population is vaccinated within the next year, President Joe Biden said. The U.S. passed a grim milestone with over 676,000 deaths from COVID-19, making the current pandemic the deadliest in American history. Globe opinion Alex Munter: It will take more than money to solve the health care staffing shortage More reporting Why doesn’t anyone talk about the emotional toll closing down has on small-business owners? 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.

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