Good evening, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know tonight.
Top headlines:
- As COVID-19 cases in China climb and cities enter lockdown, fears are rising over trade disruptions
- Ontario to table legislation making wage increase for personal support workers permanent, Ford says
- Pfizer-BioNTech reportedly to seek U.S. authorization for second COVID booster shot
Due to changes in the prevalence of testing, case counts alone are no longer a reliable indicator of the spread of COVID-19. In part due to this, recovery data is no longer available from all provinces and territories. We will no longer be including COVID-19 data or graphics in our newsletter
Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening
Photo of the day
People wait in line to get a nucleic acid test at a mass testing site to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Beijing, on March 15.Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Coronavirus in Canada
- Manitoba is lifting all remaining public health orders that were put in place to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. Health Minister Audrey Gordon says the path forward as of today will be different for each person and some may choose to continue wearing masks despite it no longer being required.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will wear his mask “for the first few days” in the legislature after mandates lift on Monday. The Ontario government is planning to soon make permanent an hourly wage increase for personal support workers that was brought in temporarily and extended multiple times during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting 688 people in hospital with COVID-19 today, and 220 in intensive care.
- In an audit of BC Housing’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, auditor-general Michael Pickup says the British Columbia organization did not have a process to ensure hotel and motel operators fulfilled their agreements for the space.
Conservative leader candidate Jean Charest has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Charest says he will be campaigning from home for the next few days, and notes he will remain in his home as per public health guidelines until he tests negative.
- He launched his leadership bid in Calgary last Thursday in a room with supporters, met with more on Friday and was then scheduled to travel to Vancouver.
St. Patrick’s Day risks: Even though many provinces have lifted vaccination mandates for public gatherings, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations don’t come without risks, experts warn.
Anti-vaccine protests: The four men charged with conspiracy to commit murder after arrests at last month’s border blockade in southern Alberta made brief court appearances today. The protest against vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions went on for almost three weeks on the U.S. border near Coutts, Alta.
Coronavirus around the world
- Chinese authorities tightened anti-virus controls at ports today, raising the risk of trade disruptions after some auto and electronics factories shut down as the government fights outbreaks. Stock prices in China and Hong Kong sank for a second day after the shutdown on Monday of the tech and finance hub Shenzhen and the auto centre of Changchun.
- Pfizer-BioNTech is reportedly seeking U.S. authorization for a second COVID-19 booster shot for people aged 65 and older. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden signed a budget bill today with Ukraine aid, but the $1.5-trillion measure omits COVID-19 aid the White House said is urgently needed.
Coronavirus and business
In the years since the pandemic disrupted the work force, spurring layoffs, career shifts and breaks from the work force to look after children, housing has skyrocketed, with average resale house prices topping $1-million in nine cities or regions in Canada. Getting a good mortgage rate has never been more important.
- This has made it difficult for gig workers and entrepreneurs to get a good mortgage rate, at a time when it has never been more important.
Also today: Experts are predicting a strong demand in Canadian commercial real estate this year, as pandemic lockdowns wind down.
Globe opinion
- J.E. Hewitt: The pandemic is a blur, but the pictures on my phone tell a different story
More reporting
- ‘Rules are rules’ says Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo about unvaccinated opponents
Information centre
- Everything you need to know about Canada’s travel restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Where do I book a COVID-19 booster or a vaccine appointment for my kids? Latest rules by province
- What is and isn't 'paid sick leave' in Canada? A short primer
- Got a vaccine 'hangover'? Here's why
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