Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Jan. 3

The latest:

• What does the test positivity rate mean?
  
• How will pandemic end? Omicron clouds forecasts for endgame, experts say.
  
• Omicron's transmissibility is driving calls for better masks.
  
• Lack of PCR testsshould not impact long-term disability benefits for those with long COVID.
  
• Ontario moves school online, pauses non-urgent procedures as part of new COVID-19 measures.
  
• As provinces limit PCR testing, should Canadians be able to report rapid test results?
  
• U.S. FDA backs Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot for 12- to 15-year-olds.

Provinces are putting new measures in place to deal with an Omicron-fuelled rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across Canada.

Ontario joined a number of jurisdictions that already announced a postponed return to in-person classroom learning, declaring the delay on Monday, along with a slew of new restrictions that puts the province back into a "modified Step 2" of pandemic recovery.

Premier Doug Ford said duringa Monday news conference that virtual learning will replace in-person classes until Jan. 17. The news backtracked on an announcement made last week that in-person classeswould resume this Wednesday.

Ontario said 1,232 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, including 248 patients in intensive care units, which booststhe seven-day average to 210.

The province also reported 13,578 new COVID-19 cases, though experts have said the restricted eligibility for PCR testing that Ontario announced last week means that number is likely much higher.

Meanwhile,Newfoundland and Labrador will be moving to a modified Alert Level 4as the province reported 519 new cases on Monday settinga new single-day record for the seventh straight day.

WATCH | Ontario mother frustratedwith province's 'half-hearted' measures:

Ontario mother wants province to 'follow the science' on school safety

3 years ago

Duration 5:40

Joy Henderson, a mother of three boys, spoke with CBC News about how frustrated she and other parents feel about online learning because they don't believe the Ontario government is doing what is necessary to make schools safe.

Under the modified Alert Level 4, which comes into effect at midnight and will be reassessed Jan. 17, informal gatherings are limited to 10 people, which Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has referred to as a "tight 10." She said the goal of reducingthe number of contacts a person has is to limit the spread of the virus.

Burials, weddings, funerals and religious gatherings are limited to 50 people or 25 per cent capacity, whichever is lower. Businesses including gyms, dance studios and arenas will follow the same rules.

Retail stores, including in malls, can remain open at reduced capacity, while restaurants can remain open at50 per cent capacity, as long as distancing between tables can be maintained. Tables are limited to six people, and buffets are prohibited.

WATCH | 'We're going to be hit hard,'says Ontario ER physician:

'Going to have a really rough 4-6 weeks,' Ontario ER doctor says

3 years ago

Duration 10:35

Health-care workers have been stepping up for the past two years of the pandemic, says Dr. Lisa Salamon of Ontario's Scarborough Health Network. And the current wave of Omicron infections is extraordinarily challenging for both patients and care providers, she says.

What's happening across Canada

With testing capacity strained,experts say true case counts are likely far higher than reported. Hospitalization data at the regional level is also evolving, with several provinces saying they will begin to report more precise data that separates the number of people in hospital because of COVID-19 from those in hospital for another medical issue who also happen to test positive for COVID-19.

In British Columbia,health officials announced 9,332 new casesover the past three days, but did not include information about active cases, hospitalizations or deaths.

B.C.'s supreme and provincial courts said Sunday that almost all in-person appearances are postponed.

Pacific Coastal Airlines an operator that serves smaller communities throughout the province'sWest Coast and Interior has suspended operations for two days due to Omicron cases at its operational control centre at the South Terminal of the Vancouver International Airport.

In the Prairies, Alberta's isolation period for COVID-19 cases droppedfrom 10 days to five on Monday, while some care homes in Manitoba said they're facing "the most challenging time yet" amid outbreaks and staff shortages. Manitoba on Mondayreported1,711 newcases another record high and six additional deaths.

WATCH |Medical workers nervous as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise:

Medical workers nervous as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise amid building Omicron wave

3 years ago

Duration 3:12

Medical workers are growing nervous as COVID-19-related hospitalizations rise, signalling a building Omicron wave.

In Saskatchewan, schoolsare scheduled to reopen on Monday and Tuesday, despite concerns from parents and educators over Omicron safety.

Federal Minister for Emergency PreparednessBill Blairsaid on Monday that members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be deployed to Quebecto speed up vaccination efforts. Quebec's booster program is set to expand on Tuesday to those 18 and older.

Up to 300 military personnel will be participating, but only a few are medical staff. The vast majority will be assisting with planning and logistical tasks related to the vaccination campaign, such as welcoming people to vaccination centres anddisinfecting surfaces. The Canadian Armed Forces said they will focus onMontreal area for the time being.Quebec on Monday reported 15,293 new cases.

WATCH | Military to help Quebec's vaccination effort:

Up to 300 Canadian military personnel to be deployed to Quebec: Minister

3 years ago

Duration 8:12

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair joined Power & Politics Monday to discuss the deployment of Canadian military personnel to support Quebec's vaccination campaign.

In the Atlantic region, Nova Scotiareported 1,020new infections on Monday. The province has opened eligibilityfor a third booster to anyone 30 years old and up.Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer, said he was cautiously encouraged by Nova Scotia's low hospitalization ratebut warned that things could change quickly.

"Right now we can't justify a stricter lockdown, but nor can we justify throwing the doors wide open," Strang said, adding that Nova Scotians could "accept a fair degree of spread" in order to continue seeing small groups of family and friends and attend school.

• 'This pandemic will end': What Dr. Strang wants Nova Scotians to know about COVID-19 this year

New Brunswickreported 2,548 new infections on Monday, which encompass the weekend'scase counts and reflect three days of record highs. Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said teams have been "working diligently"to put a plan in place to protect the health-care system as morethan 500 employees are off work and isolating because ofCOVID-19.

Prince Edward Island reported 161 new cases on Monday.Health P.E.I. has laid out recommendations for any Islanders who test positive for the virususing a rapid test, with the first directive being to self-isolate.

In the North,Nunavut reported 11 new cases on Monday, whilein the Northwest Territories, all territorial court proceedings have been delayed until mid-February after a surge in COVID-19 cases.Yukonreported158 new cases on Monday.

In northern Quebec several Cree communitiesare struggling with a serious surgein cases and community transmission for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay reported519 cases on Monday.

• Life in Arviat comes to 'standstill' as Nunavut's COVID-19 cases double in 4 days

What's happening around the world

As of Monday night, roughly292.4 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker. The reported global death toll stood at more than 5.4 million.

In Europe,the Italian government has set prices for the more protective Ffp2 masks at .75 euro cents ($1.08 Cdn) apiece now that they are required to access public transport, museums, cinemas and many other indoor activities.

A senior Portuguese health official saidalmost 90 per centof COVID-19 patients in intensive care have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday new measures are not needed to fight the Omicron variant which is "plainly milder" than earlier forms of the coronavirus, despite the over 157,000 new infections in the country.

In theAsia-Pacific region, South Korea said it has confirmed its first death related to the Omicron variant.

India says it vaccinated more than 3.8 million teens agedbetween 15 and 18 years on Monday, as the country expanded inoculation efforts to protect its large adolescent populationahead of a looming wave of coronavirus infections.

WATCH | Boris Johnson's pandemic performance in U.K. under scrutiny:

Pandemic fatigue sees Boris Johnsons political future at risk

3 years ago

Duration 2:30

The future of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in flux as pandemic fatigue and a year of controversies leads to mixed support from the public and even members of his own Conservative Party.

Australia said the milder impact ofOmicron meant the country could push ahead with plans to reopen the economy, even as new infections hit a record of more than 37,000 and the number of people hospitalized rose.

In the Americas,top federal health officials in the United States are looking to add a negative test along with its five-day isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch the coronavirus, the White House's top medical adviser said on Sunday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now considering including the negative test as part of its guidance after getting significant "pushback" on its updated recommendations last week.

Meanwhile, some school systems around the U.S. extended their holiday break Monday or switched back to online instruction because of the explosion in COVID-19 cases, while others pressed ahead with in-person classes.

New York City, home of the nation's largest school system, reopened classrooms to roughly 1 million students with a stockpile of take-home COVID-19 test kits and plans to double the number of random tests done in schools.

WATCH | New York'snew mayor says city's schools are a'safe environment':

New York vows to keep kids in classrooms

3 years ago

Duration 0:49

New York city and state officials vowed to return children safely to in-person classes, despite a spike in COVID-19.(Brittainy Newman/The Associated Press)

On Monday, the U.S. expanded COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the Omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing booster Pfizer-BioNTechshots for children as young as 12.

In Africa,BotswanaPresidentMokgweetsi Masisiis in mandatory self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 in routine testing.

President Filipe Nyusiof Mozambique and his wife,Isaura, have also tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating, the president's office said on Monday.

In the Middle East,Israel said on Monday it will admit foreigners with presumed COVID-19 immunity from countries deemed medium-risk next week, partially reversing a ban imposed in late November in response to the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

Meanwhile, the country has expanded its second booster campaign to people over the age of 60.