Senin, 28 Juni 2021

Toronto adds 375000 appointments at city clinics as Tory warns of Delta variant delaying reopening - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News

Toronto is adding hundreds of thousands of new appointments at its vaccination clinics over the next three weeks amid concerns about the spread of the Delta variant.

Mayor John Tory says that the 375,000 new appointments at city-run clinics will be available on the provincial booking site as of 8 a.m. tomorrow.

The appointments will be for the weeks of July 5, 12 and 19.

“You can see across Europe, including Britain, a slowing down of their reopening because of the Delta variant and they were running ahead of us as you know in some of those countries on vaccination. It is a real threat there in Europe and in Britain, such that it has caused their reopening timetable to be slowed down after it was announced, and we just don't want to see that happening here,” Tory said in making the announcement. “We want to fight it off here with our very best weapon, which is the vaccines.”

COVID-19 case counts have been steadily declining for months now in lockstep with rising vaccination rates.

But concerns have arisen about the potential for the Delta variant to eventually cause a surge in cases, given research suggesting that one dose of COVID-19 vaccine is less effective against the new, more infectious variant.

That in, turn, has led to a frantic effort to get more Ontarians second doses.

Currently about 77 per cent of Ontario adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine but only 35 per cent have been fully immunized.

“I think that you know we have to continue to draw to people's attention the experience that we've seen in other countries and that indeed the Delta variant has been a real factor in slowing down, for example, a much lauded reopening a schedule that was put in place by the British government,” Tory said. “So I think that beyond what is very intensive contact tracing and work that's being done on what is now a reduced number of cases, many of which are the Delta variant, I think the key is for people to get

vaccinated because it provides that extra level of protection to them, especially for the second dose.”

The additional appointments being made available by the City of Toronto come as Ontario officially make all adults eligible to receive their second dose earlier than previously scheduled.

Tory said that while the vaccine rollout has mostly been a success to date there are still pockets of Toronto, particularly in city’s northwest corner, where vaccination levels “are under where we want them to be and need them to be.”

To that end, Tory said that he has asked staff about the possibility of staging another large-scale vaccination event like the one held at Scotiabank Arena this weekend in which more than 25,000 doses were administered.

“It is a huge logistical undertaking because we already have organized nine city-run clinics and we're doing I think 36 total clinics across the city today so your drawing resources off to do something special like that, but you're also achieving, you know, big results so it is something that is under advisement,” he said.

The Delta variant currently accounts for an estimated 69 per cent of Ontario’s new COVID-19 cases, according to the province’s science advisory table.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMihwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jcDI0LmNvbS9uZXdzL3Rvcm9udG8tYWRkcy0zNzUtMDAwLWFwcG9pbnRtZW50cy1hdC1jaXR5LWNsaW5pY3MtYXMtdG9yeS13YXJucy1vZi1kZWx0YS12YXJpYW50LWRlbGF5aW5nLXJlb3BlbmluZy0xLjU0ODg0MTHSAQA?oc=5

2021-06-28 15:03:50Z
52781697051184

Quebec goes green: Here's a guide to the new rules - CBC.ca

It's been a slow burn, but with COVID-19 cases trending downward and vaccination rates on the rise, life across the province is expected to feel considerably more normal than it has in a long while. 

As of today, the entirety of Quebec, including Montreal and Laval, has officially entered the lowest alert level of the province's colour-coded system, which allows for more relaxed restrictions on social gatherings and group sports. 

As of Friday, people who are fully vaccinated (received two doses) no longer need to wear a mask or keep a distance of two metres during gatherings inside private residences.

While the pandemic is not quite over yet, as Canada's health agency is warning of a possible spike in cases come fall if the Delta variant takes hold, Quebecers are getting some respite this summer after a challenging few months. 

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect as the province reopens. 

Gatherings inside/outside at private residences

A maximum of 10 people from different households, or all the occupants from three different households, are allowed to gather inside private residences. 

Physical distancing and wearing masks is recommended for people who have not received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

For backyards and balconies, a maximum of 20 people from different households are permitted to gather. 

Restaurant and bar capacity

Inside both restaurants and bars, a maximum of 10 people or three private residences can share the same table. 

Up to 20 people can dine together at a table on an outdoor terrace or patio. 

As many as 20 people can share a table on a patio under the green zone rules. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

A permanent ministerial decree, established two weeks ago to accommodate hockey fans during the Montreal Canadiens playoff run, allows restaurants and bars to serve alcohol until midnight and to close at 2 a.m.

Health restrictions still remain in place at bars, including a ban on singing and dancing. A distance of two metres between tables must also be kept, and clients must remain seated at their tables.

Bars must also still limit themselves to 50 per cent of the maximum capacity provided for in their liquor license.

Weddings and funerals

Wedding ceremonies and funerals can now accommodate 250 people, all of whom must remain seated during the event and keep a distance of at least two metres from others, unless they are from the same household. 

The wedding reception, if held indoors, is limited to 25 people, and 50 people if it takes place outdoors.

For regular services, places of worship can still only accept up to 250 people.

Festivals and major events

As Legault put it last week during a news conference: "Monday, we'll go from small parties to medium parties."

Auditoriums and indoor stadiums with assigned seating are allowed to present shows and sporting events before an audience of up to 3,500 people (yes, that includes the Bell Centre for Stanley Cup finals series).

Thousands of Montreal Canadiens fans will be able to cheer on the team during the finals. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Spectators must be subdivided into sections with a cap of 250 people and distancing of 1.5 metres from people outside your household must be observed. 

Masks are mandatory in indoor events, but may be removed once seated.

On Friday, outdoor events were allowed to start admitting up to 3,500 attendees while enforcing physical distancing between people from different households and with no separate sections. 

Festivals and major outdoor events where spectators are standing or sitting with no assigned seating can be held, subject to compliance with specific health measures.

For organized activities outdoors in a public space, up to 50 people are allowed. For rental halls or indoor public settings, a maximum of 25 people are allowed and masks are mandatory. 

Organized sports

Fifty players are now allowed for outdoor sports and recreational activities, including guided lessons and training. This number excludes any officials, staff or volunteers. 

Organized games and matches as well as leagues, competitions and tournaments are also permitted, with 50 spectators allowed to watch the same match or game.

For indoor sports, the limit is 25 players and 25 spectators. 

In fitness centres, lessons may be provided to individuals and to groups of no more than 25 participants, while maintaining physical distance. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

Physical distancing guidelines must be respected as much as possible. Participants can come into contact or be in close proximity, if done briefly and infrequently. 

Fitness centres

In fitness centres, training activities carried out by individuals, in pairs or by members of two households are permitted. 

Lessons may be provided to individuals and to groups of no more than 25 participants, while maintaining physical distance. Assistance at close proximity is not permitted.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL2NhbmFkYS9tb250cmVhbC9xdWViZWMtZ29lcy1ncmVlbi1oZXJlLXMtd2hhdC15b3UtY2FuLWRvLTEuNjA4MDMzNtIBIGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9hbXAvMS42MDgwMzM2?oc=5

2021-06-28 08:00:00Z
52781698241711

Toronto's mayor holds COVID-19 update after city hits new record for single-day vaccinations - CBC.ca

City officials are holding a COVID-19 vaccine update at 10 a.m. CBC News is carrying the news conference live above.


Hundreds of volunteers administered nearly 27,000 COVID-19 vaccines at a mass clinic at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, in what the city is calling a new North American record.

Mayor John Tory was among the 26,771 people who received a vaccine at the "Our Winning Shot" event at the home arena of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.

The city said it broke the previous record at about 8 p.m., when 17,004 doses had been administered. Texas held that record with 17,003 shots administered at a drive-thru clinic on April 30.

The clinic ran into the late evening and offered walk-in appointments for the last several hours.

Adults were given the Moderna vaccine, while adolescents aged 12-17 were given Pfizer.

WATCH | Toronto holds record-breaking COVID-19 vaccine clinic:

Toronto broke the North American record for delivering the most COVID-19 vaccinations at a single site in a single day. Roughly 25,0000 people went to Scotiabank Arena to roll up their sleeves and push the city over the top. 1:46

City operating 36 vaccine clinics today 

Toronto has administered more than 3.3 million vaccine doses since the start of the immunization campaign.

Today, the city and its health-care partners are operating a total of 36 vaccine clinics.

This comes at Toronto officials are holding a COVID-19 update live at 10 a.m. Monday.

You can watch that live in the player at the top of this story. 

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL2NhbmFkYS90b3JvbnRvL3Njb3RpYWJhbmstY292aWQxOS12YWNjaW5lLWNsaW5pYy1ub3J0aC1hbWVyaWNhbi1yZWNvcmQtMS42MDgyNjA20gEgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2JjLmNhL2FtcC8xLjYwODI2MDY?oc=5

2021-06-28 14:00:55Z
52781697051184

UK financial regulator bans world’s largest crypto exchange - Al Jazeera English

The UK has banned Binance Markets from any regulated business in the country, extending a global crackdown on crypto.

Britain’s financial regulator has said Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, cannot conduct any regulated activity and issued a warning to consumers about the platform, which is coming under growing scrutiny globally.

In a notice dated June 25, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said Binance Markets Ltd, Binance’s only regulated UK entity, “must not, without the prior written consent of the FCA, carry out any regulated activities … with immediate effect”.

It also issued a warning to consumers about Binance Markets and the wider Binance group.

Binance said in a statement Binance Markets, which it acquired in 2020, was not yet using its regulatory permissions, and that the FCA’s move would not affect services offered on its website – Binance.com.

“We take a collaborative approach in working with regulators and we take our compliance obligations very seriously. We are actively keeping abreast of changing policies, rules and laws in this new space,” a spokesperson said.

Binance announced in June last year that it had bought an FCA-regulated entity and would use it to offer cryptocurrency trading services using pounds and euros.

The move extends a regulatory crackdown on the cryptocurrency sector amid concerns about its potential involvement in money laundering and fraud.

Bitcoin gained on Monday, trading 5.1 percent higher at $35,309 as of 7:19am in Hong Kong.

Crypto bulls often interpret tough regulatory action as a sign that the market is maturing, and say the potential for a more robust safety net may entice more investors to enter the space.

Stepping up oversight

While trading of cryptocurrencies is not directly regulated in Britain, offering services such as trading in cryptocurrency derivatives does require authorisation.

The FCA has told Binance that by June 30 it must display a notice stating “BINANCE MARKETS LIMITED IS NOT PERMITTED TO UNDERTAKE ANY REGULATED ACTIVITY IN THE UK” on its website and social media channels.

It must also secure and preserve all records relating to UK consumers and inform the FCA this has been done by July 2.

The regulator did not explain why it had taken these measures.

British citizens will still be able to access Binance’s services in other jurisdictions.

The FCA is stepping up its oversight of cryptocurrency trading, which has soared in popularity in Britain along with other countries around the globe.

Since January, the FCA has required all firms offering cryptocurrency-related services to register and show they comply with anti-money laundering rules. However, earlier this month it said just five firms had registered, and that the majority were not yet compliant.

Japan’s regulator said on June 25 that Binance was operating in the country illegally, a notice posted on Japan’s Financial Services Agency website showed.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that officials from the US Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service which probe money laundering and tax offences had sought information from individuals with insight into Binance’s business.

In April, Germany’s financial regulator BaFin said the exchange risked being fined for offering digital tokens without an investor prospectus.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFsamF6ZWVyYS5jb20vZWNvbm9teS8yMDIxLzYvMjgvdWstZmluYW5jaWFsLXJlZ3VsYXRvci1iYW5zLXdvcmxkcy1sYXJnZXN0LWNyeXB0by1leGNoYW5nZdIBamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFsamF6ZWVyYS5jb20vYW1wL2Vjb25vbXkvMjAyMS82LzI4L3VrLWZpbmFuY2lhbC1yZWd1bGF0b3ItYmFucy13b3JsZHMtbGFyZ2VzdC1jcnlwdG8tZXhjaGFuZ2U?oc=5

2021-06-28 08:03:50Z
52781692080762

Getting vaccinated at the Scotiabank Arena mega-clinic was a day like no other. Like thousands of others, I won’t soon forget it - Toronto Star

With apologies to all the wonderful doctors I’ve had in my life, going to the vaccine mega-clinic at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday was the most fun I’ve ever had getting a medical procedure.

The clinic was such a well-oiled operation, I was out before I knew it. The Jörmungandr of a line to get in — which snaked up and down Front, York, Bremner and Queens Quay West — moved expeditiously, to the point where I was speedwalking at times.

The coalition of health experts and city officials, as well as Scotiabank and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) executives who set up the event called it the “Our Winning Shot” clinic. Coun. Joe Cressy, chair of the Toronto Board of Health, explained the name to me when I interviewed him for my article about it Friday.

“The name really speaks to two critical pieces,” he said. “One, that this is ‘our’ moment, it is a collective Toronto moment. And two, that we can win this campaign. The future is in our hands with this immunization campaign. It’s a team effort — it only works if everyone works together.”

The campaign saw Scotiabank Arena transformed into a battlefield, one where Torontonians would deal a heavy blow to COVID-19. It aimed to shatter the North American one-day immunization record by vaccinating 25,000 people. Organizers told me “Our Winning Shot” was meant to be a celebration of impending victory over the pandemic, of normal life appearing on the horizon. To that end, they brought in live entertainment and created contests to win free tickets to Raptors or Leafs games for people getting vaccinated that day.

It was entertaining, celebratory for sure, and there was a palpable excitement going around. But being at “Our Winning Shot” was also a deeply strange, dreamlike experience.

I was in a surreal version of place I’d been many times before. Gone were the cheering fans, the world-renowned musicians and athletes. Replacing them was an 8-by-11 grid of seated medical volunteers with needles on their tables.

Tens of thousands of us funneled through the arena and experienced something that would make scarce sense to our pre-pandemic selves. We had beloved sports mascots and radio personalities performing for us, thanking us for being there and doling out prizes, while we watched on, in various stages of being inoculated.

I got my shot just under an hour after joining the line. When I arrived though, some anti-vax malcontents pretending to be volunteers told us the wait would take many hours and urged us to reconsider getting in line. Nowhere near enough to deter me — I gleefully waited nearly four hours for my first dose.

Further down the block, a man in a black T-shirt with the words “Just Say No” on it whipped out a bullhorn. “They have you lined up like sheep,” he said. “The only difference between you and sheep is that you have masks.” A man in line replied with a mocking, “Baa.”

At the corner of Front and York, I passed the anti-vax headquarters — a desk with the words “Information Centre” crudely scrawled on it. “You’re going to be in line for hours, endlessly circling,” said another bullhorn operator at the desk. “Might as well visit the ‘Information Centre.’ ”

“You’re going to be in another line in a few weeks when they turn on the gas,” added a man next to him. As a Jew, that was pretty irksome to hear.

Shortly after, a real volunteer resignedly told a woman ahead of me in line that the police have spoken to the deskers several times, but “they keep coming back.”

But the line did indeed move quickly, and just as quickly the anti-vaxxers were a memory.

Faint at first but growing steadily more thunderous, I could soon hear nothing but Gwen Stefani’s ‘Hollaback Girl,’ which pulsated from speakers at the arena entrance. Within minutes, I was sitting with a nurse, who told me proudly she would be vaccinating people at the clinic for 12 hours that day.

As I waited for the 15-minute post vaccination observation period to elapse, Devo Brown from KiSS 92.5, along with The Raptor, announced that 8,000 shots had just been given out. So of course the musical accompaniment was ‘Shots’ by LMFAO, and the person who got the 8,000th vaccination of the day, a man named Andrew, would be getting free Raptors tickets.

“I feel great,” Andrew said. “I’m excited to get the Raptors back home.”

And just after 4:30 p.m., the vaccinations reached 15,000.

This sort of fanfare being associated with getting vaccinated is really a testament to how odd life has become throughout the pandemic.

Loading...

Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...

I look forward to the moment, years from now, when an event like this goes back to being as bizarre as it is in a vacuum, when Scotiabank Arena, or whatever it might be called by then, is used for shows and games again.

I’ll be there one day, watching something with my son or daughter from the stands, and say, “I got vaccinated right down there!” pointing to the arena floor.

Hopefully, that’ll be a very strange concept to them.

Ben Cohen is a Toronto-based staff reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @bcohenn

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMisgFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdGFyLmNvbS9uZXdzL2d0YS8yMDIxLzA2LzI3L2dldHRpbmctdmFjY2luYXRlZC1hdC10aGUtc2NvdGlhYmFuay1hcmVuYS1tZWdhLWNsaW5pYy13YXMtYS1kYXktbGlrZS1uby1vdGhlci1teXNlbGYtYW5kLXRob3VzYW5kcy1vZi1vdGhlcnMtd29udC1zb29uLWZvcmdldC1pdC5odG1s0gEA?oc=5

2021-06-27 21:51:30Z
52781697051184

Minggu, 27 Juni 2021

Toronto administers record-breaking 25,000 doses at Scotiabank Arena clinic - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News

Toronto achieved a significant milestone in its vaccine campaign after more than 26,000 doses were administered at the Scotiabank Arena clinic Sunday, possibly setting a world record in shots given in a single day in one clinic.

The temporary mass immunization clinic set up inside the home of the Raptors and the Maple Leafs broke the national and North American records, the city said.

A total of 26,771 doses were administered at Scotiabank Arena - 978 first doses and 25,793 second doses, according to officials. Of those who got vaccinated, nearly 1,295 were youths and 25,476 were adults.

Dubbed "Our Winning Shot," the event was held to encourage residents to get their first and second doses as a more infectious variant of COVID-19 becomes dominant in the province.

The city partnered with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Scotiabank, Michael Garron Hospital, and the University Health Network for the event.

After getting their vaccine, people received a free rally towel. Fifty pairs of Maple Leafs and Raptors tickets were also given away. Several TV and radio personalities, including the teams' mascots, were also present at the clinic to bring entertainment.

One of the people who received their vaccine at the clinic was Mayor John Tory, who proclaimed June 27, 2021, as Toronto Vaccine Day.

"It's a well-oiled machine. It's extraordinary. Twenty-five thousand people will come through here today, and it really seems to be well organized," Tory told CP24 Sunday morning after receiving his second dose.

The mayor said vaccination is the key to getting life back to normal.

"It's exciting to be in the arena, even for me. I've been there many, many times…but there's nothing like the excitement of being in there when one of our teams is playing," Tory said.

"This is about getting back to a life that we love."

Our Winning Shot

As of Sunday, 76 per cent of Ontario adults have received their first dose of a vaccine, while just over 35 per cent have received their second dose.

“That means there's 24 per cent [of people] who haven't even had a first dose, let alone a second, and they need to get vaccinated,” Tory said.

All of the “Our Winning Shot” appointments were fully booked  ahead of the Sunday. However, the city added 2,000 more Moderna vaccine appointments for walk-ins later in the day.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also reacted to the achievement, tweeting, “Congratulations to everyone involved in setting this record – whether you volunteered your time or rolled up your sleeve, thank you for doing your part.”

One of the 400 vaccinators at the clinic is Dr. Michael Warner, a critical care doctor at MGH.

"We still do have patients who are now chronically, critically ill from their COVID-19 infection. But in many cases, that infection was acquired two or three months ago. It's been about three weeks since we've admitted a new patient with COVID-19. And I hope we don't ever admit another patient with COVID-19," Warner said.

"I'm incredibly hopeful. People want their life back and vaccination is the way to do it."

Dr. Andrew Boozary, the executive director of social medicine at UHN and one of the vaccinators at the clinic, said the vaccination numbers in the province in the past few days have been phenomenal.

"I've never seen anything like this," he said. "I think we just all needed this boost, where we're at in the summer, and we're hopeful that we can see this momentum continue… It's great to see smiles and hear the music. We've seen this in different pockets of the city, but for people to pull together like this."

The previous Canadian record holder for the most vaccines administered in one day at a clinic was the Thorncliffe Community Hub, where in May, the clinic jabbed more than 10,000 shots.

To mark Sunday's milestone, the Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square was lit in pink in support of all those who received their vaccine.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMie2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNwMjQuY29tL25ld3MvdG9yb250by1zZXRzLXNpbmdsZS1kYXktY2FuYWRpYW4tY292aWQtMTktdmFjY2luYXRpb24tcmVjb3JkLWF0LXNjb3RpYWJhbmstYXJlbmEtY2xpbmljLTEuNTQ4NzQ2MNIBAA?oc=5

2021-06-27 13:55:00Z
52781697051184

BC Hydro says heatwave driving peak hourly demand to new record - The Globe and Mail

British Columbia’s hydro and power authority says it logged a new record for peak hourly demand during the summer on Saturday night as residents try to keep cool during a massive heat wave.

BC Hydro issued a statement saying preliminary analysis found demand hit 7,972 megawatts, up from the previous record of 7,897 set in August last year.

It says the peak hourly demand is usually recorded on weekdays when customers follow a more routine schedule, which makes Saturday’s record even more striking.

The Crown utility says it expects demand to increase further as temperatures climb across the province, and predicts last night’s record could be broken Monday.

Heat warnings issued for B.C. as record-high temperatures loom

It’s also assuring customers that BC Hydro’s system can meet the additional demand and has taken steps to help keep people safe, such as cancelling the majority of planned outages and suspending disconnections for non-payment.

A heat warning is in effect for most of B.C. as daily highs in many places are forecast to top 40 C, shattering numerous records for daily temperatures.

Environment Canada expects temperatures to begin cooling on Tuesday.

BC Hydro says closing drapes and blinds can block out heat. It also suggests opting for smaller appliances when cooking in order to save money and keep cool.

We have a weekly Western Canada newsletter written by our B.C. and Alberta bureau chiefs, providing a comprehensive package of the news you need to know about the region and its place in the issues facing Canada. Sign up today.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWdsb2JlYW5kbWFpbC5jb20vY2FuYWRhL2FydGljbGUtYmMtaHlkcm8tc2F5cy1oZWF0d2F2ZS1kcml2aW5nLXBlYWstaG91cmx5LWRlbWFuZC10by1uZXctcmVjb3JkL9IBc2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWdsb2JlYW5kbWFpbC5jb20vYW1wL2NhbmFkYS9hcnRpY2xlLWJjLWh5ZHJvLXNheXMtaGVhdHdhdmUtZHJpdmluZy1wZWFrLWhvdXJseS1kZW1hbmQtdG8tbmV3LXJlY29yZC8?oc=5

2021-06-27 20:07:16Z
52781695766743