COVID-19: Provincial & Federal Briefings - Weekly Edition (March 7 - 11, 2022)
Gowling WLG
An international law firm that's in tune with your world, aligned with your opportunity and ambitious for your success.
As COVID-19 continues to have a major global impact, our online resource hub is here to help you manage the challenges and mitigate the risks for your business.?Visit our COVID-19 resource hub by clicking here .
A summary of developments for Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 11, 2022 follows.
Federal Government
Statement from the Minister of Health
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos issued a statement today on the second National Day of Observance for COVID-19.
Minister Duclos asked that Canadians take time on this day to mourn those who have died from COVID-19. Minister Duclos called on Canadians to also recognize those who have been sick and those who continue to be sick with the virus, and to show gratitude to health care workers.
While Minister Duclos stated that there is reason for hope, he was clear that the pandemic is not yet over. Public health measures will be adjusted in response to the evolution of the virus. He encouraged Canadians to continue using tools to “live with the virus,” including masks, distancing, and staying home when sick.
Minister Duclos thanked Canadians for doing their part, and emphasized the importance of working together to see the pandemic through.
NACI Guidance on Medicago Covifenz
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provided new recommendations on the use of the Medicago Covifenz COVID-19 vaccine. Health Canada authorized the Covifenz vaccine on February 4, 2022.
NACI continues to recommend that a primary series of mRNA vaccines should be offered to individuals in eligible age groups without contraindications. mRNA vaccines include Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax.
NACI recommends that a primary series of the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine or the Medicago Covifenz vaccine may be offered to eligible individuals without contraindications if those individuals are unable or unwilling to receive mRNA vaccines.
NACI also recommends that a primary series of the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria or Janssen vaccines may be administered if all other options are contraindicated.
Federal Support for Skilled Labour
On Wednesday, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced that the Government of Canada will fund 11 projects under the Foreign Credential Recognition Program , recognizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market. These projects are designed to assist skilled newcomers in gaining work experience in their profession or field of study. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program provides funding to provinces, territories, and regulators to improve credential recognition processes.
Public Health Plan for Cruise Ships
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced the Government of Canada’s public health framework for restarting cruise ship activity in Canada.
Beginning in April, when the cruise season begins in Canadian waters, key public health measures will include the following:
The public health plan was developed in collaboration with stakeholders. Testing and reporting obligations are governed by the Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order , the?Prohibition of Entry Order , and the?Transport Canada Interim Order.
Cruise operators must also implement COVID-19 management plans and establish a “ship-to-shore checklist” to prevent or limit spread during onboarding and disembarking while at a port. Checklists must be agreed to by operators, ports, and local public health representatives.
Although the Government of Canada is preparing for cruise season to return to Canada, authorities still advise that Canadians travel with caution.
COVID-19 Data Trends:?
In today’s statement , Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Tam reports an average of daily 5,583 new cases across Canada during the latest 7 day period (Mar 4-10, 2022), a 3.7% decrease compared to the week prior.
Dr. Tam also reports that severe illness trends continue to decline, with weekly reductions reported in most jurisdictions. The latest provincial and territorial data show that an average of 4,500 people with COVID-19 were being treated in hospitals each day during the most recent 7-day period (Mar 4-10, 2022), which is 13% lower than last week. This includes, on average, 546 people who were being treated in intensive care units (ICU) daily, which is a 12% decrease compared to the prior week, and an average of 51 deaths were reported daily between Mar 4-10, 2022.
In the past twenty-four hours, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reported 5,006 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 53 deaths in Canada, bringing the cumulative total of cases to 3,349,647 and a total of 37,229 deaths. There are currently 111,754 active COVID-19 cases in Canada.
Vaccination Data Trends:
The latest provincial and territorial data indicate that over 81% of the total population are now fully vaccinated.?Age-specific vaccine coverage data , as of March 6, 2022, show that over 88% of people 12 years or older have at least one dose and over 84% are fully vaccinated, while among children aged 5-11 years of age, 57% have at least one dose.
In summary, over 5.3?million?eligible Canadians need one or more doses to complete their primary series and many others are eligible to?get a booster dose ?to help improve protection.?National data as of March 6, 2022 indicate that over 82% of seniors aged 70 years or older and 60%-74% of 50-69 year olds have received their booster dose.
Ontario
On Wednesday, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced the removal of the mandatory masking requirement in most indoor public settings on March 21. However, mandatory masking will still be required in public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes, and congregate care settings. Dr. Moore cited improved COVID-19 trends and the removal of most public health and workplace safety measures as reasons for lifting the masking requirement. Dr. Moore noted in his statement that the removal of mandatory masking does not signal the end of the pandemic.
On Monday, Minister of Health Christine Elliott announced investments to Ontario’s nursing workforce. Eligible full-time nurses will receive a lump sum retention incentive of up to $5,000. Part-time and casual nursing staff are eligible for prorated payments of up to $5,000. The investment was introduced to support the province’s nurses as they continue to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.
领英推荐
During the question and answer period, the Minister acknowledged that certain areas of the province are experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 cases. That said, the release of further restrictions is being paid “particular attention” by the government and Dr. Moore. Minister Elliott added that orders made by local public health units under section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act may still be followed.
The Minister also stated that the government is “looking into” allowing pharmacists to prescribe COVID-19 antiviral treatments.
In the past five days, the province reported 1,056 new cases. The net change in deaths is not available due to a planned change in reporting method.
There are 717 Ontarians being treated for COVID-19 in general hospital wards, a net decrease of 24 patients since Monday, March 7. There was also a net decrease of 11 patients in intensive care and there were 6 patients on a ventilator?in the last 5 days, bringing the total to 238 and 134 patients, respectively.
To date, 31,850,821 doses were administered in Ontario. Currently, 92.7% of Ontarians aged 12 or older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 90.7% have received both doses. In terms of Ontarians aged 5 or older, 89.8% have one dose and 86% have both doses. In addition, 58.2% of Ontarians have received a booster dose.
Quebec
On Thursday, March 10, Interim National Director of Public Health, Luc Boileau, provided an update on COVID-19 in the province.
Dr. Boileau announced that isolation guidelines will be modified as of March 12. As of this date, it will no longer be necessary for people who have been vaccinated or have had COVID-19 to isolate themselves after a household contact with a case of COVID-19. However, these people will have to monitor their symptoms, wear a mask during any social interaction, avoid being in close contact with people, and get tested if symptoms appear.
Dr. Boileau also explained that he is analyzing the current data to determine when mandatory masking requirement could be lifted.?According to Dr. Boileau, the lifting of the mandatory masking requirements would take place at the end of March at the earliest.??
Santé Québec reported 7,702 new cases with 98 virus-related deaths in the last 7 days. There was a net weekly decrease of 187 hospitalizations, bringing the total number of people being treated in hospital with the virus to 1,126. There was also a net decrease of 15 patients in intensive care in the last 7 days, bringing the total to 65.
More than 18.8 million vaccine doses have been administered to Quebecers residing in and outside the province. The Santé Québec COVID-19 dashboard shows that 91% of the total eligible people aged 5 years and older have received their first vaccine dose and 87% their second dose while 52% of the total eligible people have received their third vaccine dose.
Alberta
On Tuesday, public health officials in Alberta provided a COVID-19 update in a press conference. Minister of Health, Jason Copping, announced that he is rescinding the public health order requiring Alberta Health Services employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Minister Copping stated that, “When this immunization policy was implemented late last year, it was to protect patients, health-care workers and the public during a time of record transmission and an incredibly severe wave of Delta.” However, Dr. Copping indicated that due to lower COVID-19 numbers, it is no longer necessary to require Alberta Health Services workers to be vaccinated.
In the same press conference, Minister Copping announced that all youth aged 12 to 17 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. Youth under 18 require permission from a parent or guardian before they can obtain the booster. Commenting on the new eligibility of youths aged 12 to 17, Minister Copping stated, “Booster doses of vaccine are an excellent way to strengthen protection against severe outcomes from COVID-19. As restrictions on youth activities have ended and more normal school life resumes, I encourage parents and guardians to consider getting their children boosters based on their family’s individual circumstances.”
Alberta Health Services reports 6,689 active COVID-19 cases. The provincial positivity rate is 18.97%. Currently, 1067 individuals are being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, 76 of whom are in intensive care. To date, 8,526,222 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the province. This means that 90.1% of eligible people 12 years and older have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 86.6% have received their second dose, and 35.7% have received their third dose.
British Columbia
In a press conference yesterday , health officials in British Columbia announced that the province’s indoor mask order will be lifted on March 11, 2022. Health officials also announced that the BC Vaccine Card system is set to be removed on April 8, 2022. Commenting on the reduction in COVID-19 safety measures, Minister of Health, Adrian Dix stated, “British Columbians have made tremendous sacrifices and worked hard to do their part over the past two years by following the advice and direction of Dr. Henry. Thanks to high levels of vaccination, decreasing transmission enabled by British Columbians’ resolve and the public health orders we’ve had in place, we are now able to lift more restrictions and continue moving forward as a province.”
In addition to the mask order being repealed, health officials in British Columbia announced the following changes to British Columbia’s COVID-19 health policies:
Furthermore, health officials clarified masks are encouraged on public transit and BC Ferries but are no longer required.
British Columbia’s Health Services provided updates on COVID-19 statistics in the province. The most recent data shows that there were 1,861 new cases and 38 new COVID-19 related deaths in the past week. 388 individuals are in hospital and 52 individuals are in intensive care.
To date, 93.3% of eligible people 12 years and older have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 90.9% have received their second dose, and 56% have received their third dose.
*****
Glad to discuss further.?
Authors: