Konto Polo

Sabtu, 03 Juli 2021

Nova Scotia reports eight new cases of COVID-19 Saturday, active cases rise to 52 - CTV News Atlantic

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is reporting eight new cases of COVID-19 Saturday, as well as three recoveries, as the active number of cases in the province rises to 52.

Four new cases were identified in the Central zone, involving close contacts of previously reported cases.

The four other cases were identified in the Eastern Zone, three involving close contacts of previously reported cases and one remains under investigation.

"I encourage all Nova Scotians to get tested regularly and ensure you continue to keep a physical distance and wear a mask. Get both doses of your vaccine as soon as you can, if you haven't already," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health in a release. "Doing all of this will help limit spread of the virus and allow us to have a more normal summer."

Public Health says there is now “limited community spread” in the Central zone. The Eastern, Northern and Western zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.

"While we've seen case numbers in the single digits over the past few days, today's number is a reminder that we can't let our guard down," said Premier Iain Rankin. "This morning I dropped into the Fall River Shoppers Drug Mart, and owner Brian MacDonald told me about how well the vaccination program is rolling out. Thanks to him and all of our pharmacies for being part of our vaccine program and success in keeping COVID case numbers low. Get vaccinated; get tested."

CASE DATA

Nova Scotia labs processed 2,913 tests on Friday, and have now processed a total of 951,797 since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 5,850 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. Of those, 5,706 people have recovered, and 92 have died due to COVID-19.

According to the province's online dashboard, there are currently two individuals in hospital, with no one in an intensive care unit.

Since April 1, there have been 4,108 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. Of the new cases since April 1, 4,030 are now considered resolved.

There are cases confirmed across the province, but most have been identified in the Central zone, which contains the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The provincial government says cumulative cases by zone may change as data is updated in Panorama, the province’s electronic information system.

The numbers reflect where a person lives and not where their sample was collected.

Western zone: 290 cases (no active cases)
Central zone: 4,642 cases (38 active cases)
Northern zone: 301 cases (no active cases)
Eastern zone: 617 cases (14 active cases)

The provincial state of emergency, which was first declared on March 22, 2020, has been extended to July 11, 2021

VACCINE UPDATE

The province's COVID-19 online dashboard provides an update on the number of vaccines that have been administered to date.

As of Friday, 961,653 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with approximately 72.9 per cent of the province's overall population having received at least one dose. Of those, 253,331 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

The province says it has received a total of 1,081,070 doses of COVID-19 vaccine since Dec. 15.

All Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be made online or by phone at 1-833-797-7772.

MORE WALK-IN TESTING OPTIONS

Nova Scotia health is introducting several new walk-in testing centres and mobile units across the province.

Testing is open to anyone and can be convenient for out-of-province visitors arriving in Nova Scotia, public health said in a release.

A list of locations offering walk-in PCR COVID-19 testing in addition to testing by appointment can be found on the health authority's website. Rapid tests will not be offered at these locations.

Testing is available for all ages, for those who have symptoms, no symptoms (asymptomatic), have travelled or been to a potential exposure site and have been a close contact with a positive COVID case.

Public health is strongly encouraging Nova Scotians to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have had several social interactions, even with their own social circle.

COVID-19 tests can be booked through the province's online self-assessment COVID-19 tool, or by calling 811.

People can also visit one of Nova Scotia’s rapid pop-up testing sites that continue to operate throughout the province.

Saturday, July 3:

East Preston Recreation Centre (24 Brooks Dr, East Preston) from noon to 7 p.m.
Richard Murray Design Building (5257 Morris St., Halifax) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Halifax Convention Centre (1650 Argyle St, Halifax) from noon to 7 p.m.
Bedford-Hammonds Plains Community Centre (202 Innovation Dr., Bedford) from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
St. Theresa's Parish Hall (285 St. Peter's Road, Sydney) from 2 to 7 p.m.

COVID ALERT APP

Canada’s COVID-19 Alert app is available in Nova Scotia.

The app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play, notifies users if they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

LIST OF SYMPTOMS

Anyone who experiences a fever or new or worsening cough, or two or more of the following new or worsening symptoms, is encouraged to take an online test or call 811 to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19:

Sore throat
Headache
Shortness of breath
Runny nose/nasal congestion

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidmh0dHBzOi8vYXRsYW50aWMuY3R2bmV3cy5jYS9ub3ZhLXNjb3RpYS1yZXBvcnRzLWVpZ2h0LW5ldy1jYXNlcy1vZi1jb3ZpZC0xOS1zYXR1cmRheS1hY3RpdmUtY2FzZXMtcmlzZS10by01Mi0xLjU0ODgyMTjSAQA?oc=5

2021-07-03 17:42:37Z
52781711393021

Alberta infrastructure bends and buckles under heat wave - CBC.ca

The heat is taking a toll on infrastructure.

In Edmonton, several photos posted to social media show the sidewalks buckling in some areas and the damage is being attributed to the extreme heat blanketing western Canada.

Ward 3 or tastawiyiniwak councillor, John Dziadyk, shared a photo on Facebook of a section of sidewalk that was cracked and bent at an unusual angle.

This sidewalk that buckled under the heat of the sun caught the attention of Ward 3 or Tastawiyiniwak councillor, John Dziadyk. (John Dziadyk/Facebook)

In a statement, he calls on the city to take action.

"Core services should be the priority for the city,' Dziadyk wrote. "Just as potholes are caused by the cold, the heat is impacting our infrastructure. The city needs to be nimble and quick to address these issues."

In an email to CBC News, the city acknowledged the problem.

"The extreme heat caused this sidewalk and other sidewalks in the city to buckle or heave," wrote Parks and Road Services spokesperson Derek Logan.

"Concrete expands with temperature, and in extreme heat the expansion is larger. When expansion reduces the space between slabs or joints of a sidewalk, buckling can occur."

Logan noted it is not typically a problem in Edmonton given the cooler climate and city workers are dealing with the issue.

"This week, at least 57 city sidewalks were found to have buckled or heaved due to the heat," he wrote.

"In response, city crews have been proactively inspecting sidewalks throughout Edmonton and responding to all 311 notifications. When signs of buckling were found, crews placed signs with flashing amber lights to alert people of the uneven concrete. The area would then be repaired by digging out the heave, forming or pouring concrete in the spot and replacing the impacted sidewalk panels. We prioritized heaves for repairs based on the risk they present to the public."

A spokeperson for the City of Edmonton says at least 57 city sidewalks have buckled or heaved due to the recent heat. (CBC News)

Edmonton isn't the only place feeling the heat.

In Clairmont, just north of Grande Prairie, Shelly Clauson spotted a rather unusual site.

"We were turning around in the parking lot at the seniors hall there, and my sister Candy pointed out, she said 'It must be hot when the picnic tables are melting'," Clauson explained.

"I turned around and I looked and the benches were all deformed, so I had to get a picture."

13-year-old Lynlee Clauson tests out the now curved picnic table benches in Clairmont, Alta. (Submitted by Shelly Clauson)

Clauson believes the benches are made of some sort of composite plastic material that failed to maintain structural integrity under the soaring temperatures.

"I was pretty shocked. I didn't think those things could even do that," she said. "I've also seen people have posted pictures of their windows shattering in their house."

Clauson said it's been so hot in the region that she's had to install some additional infrastructure of her own at home to try to keep cool.

"My house was absolutely boiling so we threw some tinfoil up on the windows," she said.

Unfortunately it did not achieve the desired goal.

"We ended up coming into Grande Prairie to stay at my sister's because my daughter ended up with heat exhaustion from sitting on the couch in our living room. Very grateful for family that lets me stay in their air-conditioned houses."

Relief is on the way for people and infrastructure. Environment Canada says more typical temperatures for this time of year should return on Sunday.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL2NhbmFkYS9lZG1vbnRvbi9hbGJlcnRhLWluZnJhc3RydWN0dXJlLWJlbmRzLWFuZC1idWNrbGVzLXVuZGVyLWhlYXQtd2F2ZS0xLjYwODg3MTTSASBodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYmMuY2EvYW1wLzEuNjA4ODcxNA?oc=5

2021-07-03 12:00:00Z
CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL2NhbmFkYS9lZG1vbnRvbi9hbGJlcnRhLWluZnJhc3RydWN0dXJlLWJlbmRzLWFuZC1idWNrbGVzLXVuZGVyLWhlYXQtd2F2ZS0xLjYwODg3MTTSASBodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYmMuY2EvYW1wLzEuNjA4ODcxNA

Toll of the heat wave: wildfires, 911 calls, and sidewalks buckling - CTV News Edmonton

EDMONTON -- As the heat wave in Edmonton is forecasted to come to an end over the weekend, there are reminders of how much the sizzling conditions impacted the city.

A full week of soaring temperatures had various impacts, from fans selling out at stores across the city to businesses temporarily closing or restaurants altering menus.

“It’s too hot, standing over the stove and flipping pans of macaroni for like six hours,” said Andrew Cowan, owner and head chef of Northern Chicken.

Emergency rooms in the Edmonton area saw at least 125 heat-related visits since Tuesday morning, but no heat-related deaths.

“Our crews continue to be busy today,” said Kerry Williamson, Alberta Health Services spokesperson, in a statement to CTV News Edmonton.

In comparison, EMS crews only responded to seven heat-related calls in both Edmonton and Calgary last Friday when temperatures peaked at 26.9 degrees, Williamson said.

The sustained heat created drier conditions ripe for grass and wildfires.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 30 grass fires since last Friday, including nine on Wednesday and seven on Thursday.

Alberta Wildfire said there were a total of 10 active wildfires burning throughout the province – including eight under control – on Sunday.

As of publication, there were 34 wildfires classified as active by Alberta Wildfire on Friday. Twelve were being held by fire crews, 16 were under control, and six were out-of-control. Approximately 2,299 hectares of land are being affected by all active wildfires.

The largest out-of-control fire, located east of Fox Creek, Alta., had an estimated size of eight hectares, as of publication.

SIDEWALKS BUCKLE UNDER HEAT

Scorching conditions also left tangible marks on sidewalks.

At least 57 sidewalks in Edmonton buckled or heaved due to the heat wave, said city communications advisor Derek Logan.

“Concrete expands when the temperature rises, and the expansion can be large when there is extreme heat,” Logan added.

“When expansion is large enough that it reduces the space between slabs or joints of a sidewalk, buckling can occur and the result is severely uneven sidewalks.”

Logan said that city crews placed signs to alert people of uneven concrete and would repair the area once temperatures lowered.

Anyone can report a sidewalk that has been raised due to the heat by calling 311 or downloading the Edmonton 311 mobile application. Repairs are prioritized based on the risk they present to the public.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s David Ewasuk

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vZWRtb250b24uY3R2bmV3cy5jYS90b2xsLW9mLXRoZS1oZWF0LXdhdmUtd2lsZGZpcmVzLTkxMS1jYWxscy1hbmQtc2lkZXdhbGtzLWJ1Y2tsaW5nLTEuNTQ5NDk2NtIBPmh0dHBzOi8vYmV0YS5jdHZuZXdzLmNhL2xvY2FsL2VkbW9udG9uLzIwMjEvNy8yLzFfNTQ5NDk2Ni5odG1s?oc=5

2021-07-02 23:13:18Z
52781710630857

Oil Prices in 6-Week Rally as OPEC+ Dillydally Stokes Hope for Cautious Hike By Investing.com - Investing.com

By Yasin Ebrahim

Investing.com – Crude oil prices notched a sixth-weekly win Friday despite a sluggish end to the week as OPEC+ struggled to reach consensus on plans to ease production curbs.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 7 cents to $75.16 a barrel, while on London's Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:), added 0.70% to $76.37 a barrel.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, or OPEC+, got their meeting underway Friday, to reach a breakthrough on how much to lift output. But the meeting ended without a deal after the United Arab Emirates failed to go ahead with a preliminary agreement - to reportedly raise output by 400,000 barrels per day from August to December - struck by Saudi Arabia and Germany. The meeting will reconvene on Monday.

OPEC+ was forced to delay its meeting until Friday after the United Arab Emirates blocked a plan a preliminary agreement to reportedly raise output by 400,000 barrels per day from August to December.

The squabble of how much to raise output has increased expectations for the cautious production hike.

“The OPEC+ meeting delay provides some insight on the continued fragility of oil market fundamentals. This could result in OPEC+ cautiously increasing supply, which is a positive for oil markets while demand rebounds toward pre-pandemic levels,” RBC said in a note.

On the demand side, meanwhile, the optimism over a recovery shows little sign of fading despite the threat posed by the delta variant of Covid-19 on international travel.

Earlier this week, OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo, forecast demand to rise by 6 million barrels per day in 2021, the bulk of which, about 5 million barrels per day, is expected in the second half of the year.

Disclaimer: Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. All CFDs (stocks, indexes, futures) and Forex prices are not provided by exchanges but rather by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual market price, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Therefore Fusion Media doesn`t bear any responsibility for any trading losses you might incur as a result of using this data.

Fusion Media or anyone involved with Fusion Media will not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information including data, quotes, charts and buy/sell signals contained within this website. Please be fully informed regarding the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, it is one of the riskiest investment forms possible.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiggFodHRwczovL3d3dy5pbnZlc3RpbmcuY29tL25ld3MvY29tbW9kaXRpZXMtbmV3cy9vaWwtcHJpY2VzLWluLTZ3ZWVrLXJhbGx5LWFzLW9wZWMtZGlsbHlkYWxseS1zdG9rZXMtaG9wZS1mb3ItY2F1dGlvdXMtaGlrZS0yNTQ5MTQz0gEA?oc=5

2021-07-02 20:33:00Z
52781694566580

NACI says to wait on 2nd mRNA COVID-19 shot for those with rare heart inflammation - Global News

Canada’s vaccine advisory committee is now recommending that those who experienced heart inflammation after their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should wait to get their second dose.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated its recommendations Friday, saying that individuals who experienced myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a first dose of mRNA vaccine should “wait to get their second dose until more information is available.”

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is the inflammation of the lining around the heart.

There have been 65 cases of myocarditis/pericarditis as of June 18 in Canada out of 31.4 million vaccines administered at the time, according to federal government data.

Out of the 65 cases, 50 had the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, 10 received Moderna and five received COVISHIELD/AstraZeneca.

Among the 50 Pfizer cases, symptoms developed between five and 94 days after vaccination, 28 cases were female with a median age of 51 (age range 20 to 86) and 22 were male with an age range of 17 to 76 years and a median age of 38.

2:15 COVID vaccine: What will it take to convince remainder of hesitant Canadians? Experts chime in

COVID vaccine: What will it take to convince remainder of hesitant Canadians? Experts chime in

Thirty-four were after the first dose, 10 after the second and six were not specified, according to Canada’s data.

However, the U.S.’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found more cases of heart inflammation have occurred in males between 16-24 years old and after a second mRNA dose. NACI says that, internationally, cases are occurring more often in males under 30 years old and after a second dose.

Symptoms of myocarditis/pericarditis include chest pain, shortness of breath, or the feeling of a fast, pounding or fluttering heartbeat, and cases typically occur within a week after the receipt of an mRNA vaccine dose, according to NACI.

NACI said in a release that investigations between myocarditis and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines “continue to evolve,” and informed consent for those receiving an mRNA vaccine should include a discussion of the “very rare risk” of heart inflammation.

“NACI will continue to monitor the evidence and will update recommendations as needed,” the release stated. “The majority of cases have been mild and individuals have recovered quickly.”

An Israeli study has found there is a “probable link” between the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the appearance of myocarditis among men aged 16-30. A study from the CDC came to a similar conclusion.

The new recommendation comes after Health Canada changed the product guidance for mRNA vaccines to include reports of heart inflammation, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has done as well.

However, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said in a statement Friday that the benefits of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines continue to outweigh their risks.

“It is important that everyone gets their second vaccine dose to provide the best protection.”

-With files from Global News’ Saba Aziz and Reuters

View link »

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiSmh0dHBzOi8vZ2xvYmFsbmV3cy5jYS9uZXdzLzc5OTg2OTAvbmFjaS1tcm5hLWNvdmlkLTE5LXZhY2NpbmUtbXlvY2FyZGl0aXMv0gFOaHR0cHM6Ly9nbG9iYWxuZXdzLmNhL25ld3MvNzk5ODY5MC9uYWNpLW1ybmEtY292aWQtMTktdmFjY2luZS1teW9jYXJkaXRpcy9hbXAv?oc=5

2021-07-02 20:31:36Z
52781706660339

Jumat, 02 Juli 2021

OPEC+ fights over oil output with inflation outlook at stake - BNN

OPEC+ allies were locked in a tense diplomatic standoff on Friday amid a dispute that threatens to send oil prices sharply higher.

A day after the alliance was forced to delay its key policy meeting, positions remained entrenched, with the United Arab Emirates still blocking a deal to increase supply, a delegate said. Failure to agree on raising output would squeeze an already tight market, risking a further inflationary price spike.

Most members of an OPEC+ advisory panel backed a proposal to add 400,000 barrels a day from August to December -- and extend the broader supply deal later into next year -- as OPEC+’s full ministerial meeting finally got under way, though the UAE remained staunchly opposed, according to delegates.

“If OPEC+ fails to reach a compromise, the automatic fallback will be to roll over current quotas into August and beyond,” said Matthew Holland, a geopolitical analyst at consultant Energy Aspects Ltd. “That would lead to sharply higher prices, something most OPEC+ members want to avoid.”

Embedded Image

The disagreement centers on how the group measures its production cuts, with the UAE demanding a higher baseline for its own curbs, according to delegates. The country is ready to accept no change in output for August if an agreement can’t be reached, one delegate said.

It’s not the first time the group has faced such crises over policy, and more often than not it has been able to fudge a diplomatic solution.

But a resolution this time may not be easy, because giving the UAE what it wants -- essentially a much higher production limit -- could upend the entire OPEC+ deal that’s buttressed oil prices since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Any request to adjust the production quota would be like opening Pandora’s box,” said Giovanni Staunovo, a commodity analyst at UBS Group AG. That could allow an output increase of about 700,000 barrels a day for the UAE alone, and “other OPEC+ states might also request an adjustment.”

Most countries also backed extending the current OPEC+ deal -- which is due to expire next April -- to the end of 2022, according to a delegate. The UAE continued to reject that proposal, as did Mexico, delegates said.

The standoff leaves the market unsure whether it will be grappling with a huge supply deficit in the second half of the year, with crude this week rising above US$75 a barrel in New York for the first time since 2018. It also tarnishes the cartel’s carefully reconstructed reputation, raising the specter of another destructive internal dispute -- the Saudi-Russia price war that helped to crash the oil market last year.

The UAE’s ambitions have upset negotiations before. Late last year, Abu Dhabi even floated the idea of leaving the cartel as it pressed to raise production. An OPEC meeting was postponed then too amid fraught negotiations, though a deal was ultimately struck.

The problem is a consequence of the UAE’s heavy investment in new additional capacity. The country’s cuts are measured from a starting point in 2018, setting its maximum capacity at about 3.2 million barrels a day. Expansion projects have since raised that number and the country wants its baseline reset to about 3.8 million barrels a day so it can use its new fields, delegates said.

The UAE argues that the change is necessary because, under the current terms of the OPEC+ deal, it is making proportionally deeper cuts than other members. The proposal on Thursday to delay the expiry of the output curbs from April to December 2022 exacerbated the issue.

“Clearly, the UAE is playing hardball and has signaled previously its frustration with production levels,” said Neil Quilliam, associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa program at the Chatham House think tank. “It is unlikely that the UAE is willing to derail negotiations this time around, though its appetite for doing so is growing, and future rounds are likely to be spikier.”

Red lines

For the UAE, the baseline is a very significant issue and it will reject the OPEC+ deal until there’s a change, a delegate said after Thursday’s meeting was adjourned. The Saudis are equally insistent that the extension of the agreement until December 2022 is vital for market stability next year.

Failure to bridge the gap would leave the existing OPEC+ deal in place, keeping as much as 5.8 million barrels a day off the market until April 2022.

Oil has risen around 50 per cent this year, with the recovery in demand from the pandemic outpacing the revival of OPEC+ supplies after last year’s deep cuts. Crude’s surge, combined with a rally in other commodities, has central banks fretting about inflation again. Brent rose slightly on Friday.

OPEC+ is already in the process of reviving crude supplies halted last year in the initial stages of the pandemic. The 23-nation coalition decided to add about 2 million barrels a day to the market from May to July. But there was a growing clamor for the group to keep going.

The cartel’s own data show that once-bloated oil inventories are back down to average levels as a strong revival in fuel consumption continues. Demand in the second half will be 5 million barrels a day higher than in the first six months of the year, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said on Tuesday.

“You still need around 2 million barrels a day at least for the second half of the year to just keep the market in a reasonable sense of supply and demand balance,” Neil Beveridge, a senior analyst at Bernstein Research, said on Bloomberg TV.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJubmJsb29tYmVyZy5jYS9vcGVjLWZpZ2h0cy1vdmVyLW9pbC1vdXRwdXQtd2l0aC1pbmZsYXRpb24tb3V0bG9vay1hdC1zdGFrZS0xLjE2MjQ0MjHSAQA?oc=5

2021-07-02 15:57:24Z
52781694566580

N.L. wrong to 'double down' on fossil fuels with offshore subsidies, researcher says - CBC.ca

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL3NjaWVuY2Uvbmwtd3Jvbmctb24tZm9zc2lsLWZ1ZWxzLW9mZnNob3JlLXN1YnNpZGllcy1yZXNlYXJjaGVyLTEuNjA4ODIxNNIBIGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9hbXAvMS42MDg4MjE0?oc=5

2021-07-02 17:47:47Z
52781708732415