Coronavirus Update: U.S. could start vaccinating kids under 12 this week

Good evening, here are the COVID-19 updates you need to know tonight.

Top headlines:

1. In the United States, millions of COVID-19 shots for children ages 5-11 are already being packed and shipped in anticipation of starting the vaccine drive for kids later this week, if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives the final order
2. About 290 WestJet employees who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have been suspended
3. ‘This is a defining moment in our lifetime’: The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 5 million today

In the past seven days, 14,671 cases were reported, down 15 per cent from the previous seven days. There were 200 deaths announced, down 17 per cent over the same period. At least 1,907 people are being treated in hospitals and 1,663,381 others are considered recovered.

Canada’s inoculation rate is 12th 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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Coronavirus in Canada

• Quebec has lifted capacity restrictions in bars and restaurants starting today. Establishments that serve alcohol are now allowed to stay open until 3 a.m. and reservations are no longer limited to 25 people. Meanwhile, the province’s former health minister told a coroner’s inquest today that “systemic ageism” is to blame for the tragedy that unfolded in Quebec’s long-term care homes during the first wave of COVID-19.
• Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott says she now has enough responses from hospitals and health-care groups across the province to inform her decision on a mandatory vaccine policy at hospitals. And, the province’s new long-term care act has been called “toothless” by critics. Meanwhile, in Toronto, the GO Transit network cut dozens of bus routes due to a shortage of vaccinated staff.
• Alberta will distribute $45-million to school divisions across the province to help students who have fallen behind during the pandemic, including by hiring additional staff or bringing in additional resources.

The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 5 million on Monday, less than two years into the coronavirus crisis.

• Together, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Brazil account for one-eighth of the world’s population but nearly half of all reported deaths.
• The death toll is almost certainly an undercount because of limited testing and people dying at home without medical attention, especially in poor parts of the world.

Snowbirds: The Biden administration’s decision to allow vaccinated people to enter the U.S. by land for any reason starting Nov. 8 has many Canadians packing up their campers and making reservations at their favourite vacation condos and mobile-home parks.

Vaccine approval: Novavax says it has submitted its COVID-19 vaccine for approval in Canada.

Return of the poppy: The Royal Canadian Legion is hoping its annual poppy campaign regains a sense of normalcy this year as fewer COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are in place across the country.

Coronavirus around the world

• The U.S. is getting ready to begin vaccinating kids under 12 as early as the middle of this week. On Tuesday, a special advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet to consider detailed recommendations for administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to younger children. And, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday she has contracted COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms. Meanwhile, a declassified U.S. intelligence report says it was plausible that the COVID-19 pandemic originated in a laboratory, something China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says has no credibility.

Coronavirus and business

WestJet Airlines says it has suspended about 290 employees who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• The suspended workers – about 4 per cent of WestJet’s 7,300-person staff – are not being paid for one month and could face firing if they do not comply with the Calgary-based airline’s government-mandated vaccine policy.

Also today: Retailers hope the spirit of ‘buy local’ visits them again this holiday season – especially for small businesses that have endured throughout the pandemic.

Globe opinion

• Jennifer Robson: CRB didn’t have to end that way – the government owes workers a smooth transition
• Eileen Dooley: Virtual socializing still matters, especially for new employees

More reporting

• Jon Bon Jovi tests positive for COVID-19, cancels concert
• Bryan Adams pulled out of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance after testing positive for COVID-19
• Should my employer be paying for my COVID-19 tests if they’re making it a new requirement of the job?

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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