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:
Ontario announces a vaccine passport system for indoor restaurants, theatres, gyms – starting Sept. 22 A UK study found that up to 14 per cent of children who test positive have symptoms associated with ‘long COVID’ Quebec’s COVID-19 vaccine passport system launches across the province today In Canada, 23,713 cases have been reported, up 24 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 107 deaths announced, up 14 per cent over the same period. At least 1,300 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,443,839 others are considered recovered.
Canada’s inoculation rate is 12th 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
A sculpture by Sebastian Wien of an artistic interpretation of the COVID-19 virus at the German Hygiene Museum in Dresden on Aug. 22, 2021.
Andrew White/The New York Times News Service
Coronavirus in Canada Ontario Premier Doug Ford reversed course and announced plans for a COVID-19 vaccine passport system for the province. The program, which will begin Sept. 22, will require proof of vaccination for indoor restaurants, gyms and theatres – however, the rules will not apply for outdoor patios, retail stores or places of worship. Ontario has also issued new guidance for post-secondary institutions that lifts distancing and capacity rules for most classrooms. Staff and students will still be required to wear masks. Meanwhile, the province reported 656 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 more deaths. Quebec’s new COVID-19 vaccine passport system launched today across the province, requiring everyone to show proof of vaccination to access non-essential businesses and events. The province’s health minister said there will be a two-week grace period where no fines will be issued; as of Sept. 15, non-compliance would result in thousands of dollars in fines. Two communities in the Northwest Territories that have been under lockdown since mid-August will see those orders lifted on Saturday as active cases of COVID-19 start to decline across the territory. Alberta is reporting 1,315 new cases of COVID-19, the highest one-day total since mid-May. Meanwhile, the agency that runs the province’s health care system has announced plans to require health workers to be vaccinated – and British Columbia’s top doctor has said the province will follow suit with a policy of its own. The premier of New Brunswick says COVID-19 vaccine passports are not yet necessary in the province, but if more provinces create such systems, the province might follow suit to make travel within Canada easier. Across Canada, federal election campaign stops have been held outside to mitigate COVID-19 risks, but are creating new security challenges.
Because the events take place in public places, with few barriers to attendance, protesters have become a frequent presence. On Sunday, a group of protestors directed “lock him up” chants at Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in Cambridge, Ont. And on Friday, Mr. Trudeau’s planned appearance in Bolton, Ont., was cancelled because of security concerns. Chris Mathers, a security expert and former Mountie, said that social media allows for protesters to organize and converge on particular locations easily. There are more access points compared to events held inside. Coronavirus around the world A new study out of Britain found that as many of 14 per cent of all children who tested positive for COVID-19 would likely develop three or more symptoms associated with “long COVID” symptoms – meaning they experienced symptoms associated with coronavirus for months or longer. The European Union’s health body says there is no urgent need for COVID-19 booster shots for the fully vaccinated, citing data on the effectiveness of shots. All vaccines authorized in the region are highly protective against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death, says the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Cuba will begin vaccinating adolescents against COVID-19 this week and younger children from mid-September in hopes of immunizing more than 90 per cent of the population by December. All children ages 2 through 18 will receive at least two doses of the Cuban-developed Soberana-2 vaccine beginning Sept. 3. In New Zealand, surfers and kayakers are heading back to the beaches as most citizens welcome the end of strict COVID-19 restrictions. About 1.7 million people in Auckland, the largest city, still remain in strict level 4 lockdown for another two weeks. The World Health Organization has opened a new “hub” in Germany that aims to help prepare the globe to prevent future pandemics. The hub is meant to promote more effective data collection, information-sharing and analysis, leading to better and more coherent decision-making after the patchy global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus and business Impacted by COVID-19, ‘banker ladies’ take up informal leadership and financial roles in minority communities.
These woman are a part of an informal savings collective, where members contribute a set amount to a common fund on a regular basis, and then take turns collecting part or all of the pool to spend on whatever they need – from groceries to school books to a down payment on a home. Collectively, they are known as Rotating Savings and Credit Associations, and they have become a means not just for women to save in a disciplined way, but also to provide financial and emotional support to their peers, or even start their own businesses. Also today: Couche-Tard hopes COVID-19 vaccine promotion will help mitigate challenges from the Delta variant. Plus, the Canadian convenience store giant is facing immense challenges hiring and keeping employees as the retailing sector eyes a COVID-19 resurgence.
And: Global factory activity loses momentum in August as the pandemic disrupts supply chains.
Story continues below advertisement
Globe opinion Editorial board: More sticks, but also more carrots: How to reach Canadians who are still unvaccinated André Picard: When it comes to Ontario’s vaccine passport system, where there’s a political will, there’s a way Julia M. Wright: Listening to expertise: We can do better in higher education when it comes to COVID-19 safety plans Rita Trichur: Hybrid work risks becoming the next ‘career killer’ for women More reporting NFLPA investigating after the Jaguars’ Urban Meyer said COVID-19 vaccination status factored into roster decisions. Elections Canada said it expected between two million to five million mail-in ballots for Canada’s first federal election held amid a pandemic. So far, that flood of interest hasn’t materialized. Practice good COVID-19 prevention habits and roll your windows down. Joe Rogan, podcasting giant dismissive of vaccines, has COVID-19. 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.