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Top headlines:
A memo that was deleted from the government’s website suggested federal employees and domestic travellers wouldn’t need to be vaccinated – prompting the Conservatives to call for an “immediate investigation” Immunocompromised Canadians are waiting to see if health officials allow a third COVID-19 vaccine shot for those most vulnerable to the coronavirus, as Canada enters a fourth wave Sun Life Financial is mandating vaccines for its staff in order to return to offices – one of the first federally regulated financial institutions to require the shot In the past seven days, 14,264 cases were reported, up 48 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 36 deaths announced, down 56 per cent over the same period. At least 634 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,411,312 others are considered recovered.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 9th 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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Volunteers in maroon shirts walk the neighbourhood to let residents know about the COVID-19 vaccine location in Los Angeles on Aug. 17, 2021.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
Coronavirus in Canada Quebec plans to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory for health care workers. Ontario’s top doctor announced the province will pause all further reopening and will remain in Step 3 of its reopening plan. The province will also require employers in health and education to have policies asking staff to disclose their vaccination status and require those who are unvaccinated to take an education session and be subject to regular tests. The province reported 348 new COVID-19 cases today. The top doctor in New Brunswick urged eligible residents under 40 who received a first dose of vaccine at least 28 days ago to make an appointment for a second dose. In Manitoba, seven winners of the province’s Vax to Win vaccination lottery were announced. The province brought in the incentive in June as a way to encourage people to get vaccinated. Nunavut suspends its travel bubble with the Northwest Territories as the number of confirmed cases in the territory rose to 34. Three Alberta universities released their safety protocols for a safe return to school, but stopped short of mandating vaccines for on-campus classes. Saskatchewan is offering an extra dose of COVID-19 vaccine to residents who may need it for international travel. Across Canada, an estimated one million people are immunocompromised. Many of them are waiting to see if health officials here will follow the lead of other countries and allow a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as Canada enters a fourth wave.
A third dose is “definitely” the best way to increase immunity in transplant recipients and other groups of immunocompromised people, said Deepali Kumar, clinician investigator at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. Health officials in Canada have yet to authorize a third dose for the immunocompromised. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization said it continues to closely monitor evidence, but awaits more data. Deleted memo: Conservatives are requesting an “immediate investigation” into the removal of an online government memo that seemed to contradict the Liberals’ policy on mandatory vaccinations. The NDP say federal civil servants who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 should face the possibility of discipline or even be fired.
Coronavirus around the world New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a strict three-day lockdown after one case of COVID-19 was reported in the country. U.S. health authorities are expected to recommend an extra dose of the vaccine for all Americans eight months after they get their second shot, according to sources. Coronavirus and business Sun Life Financial announced a vaccination requirement in an internal memo on Tuesday, saying employees choosing to return to offices in Toronto, Montreal and Waterloo, Ont., “must attest to having received all recommended doses of the approved COVID-19 vaccine.”
Canada’s largest banks have yet to make firm decisions about whether to require vaccination for employees returning to the workplace. Also today: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 to visit any of its facilities.
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And: As pandemic-fuelled do-it-yourself projects tapered off, Home Depot’s U.S. same-store sales fell short of estimates.
Globe opinion André Picard: The troubling Nazi-fication of COVID-19 discourse Rob Carrick: Rising mortgage debt will raise financial stress levels J. Kelly Nestruck: Quebec’s box-office subsidies have kept theatres thinking big in the pandemic. Can the idea go national? More reporting With cost savings from DIY fitness, some Canadians are forgoing returning to the gym Mail-in voting set to soar ahead of the federal election amid COVID-19 concerns TSA extends mask rule for airline passengers to January 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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