Vaccine news brightens dark day

COVID-19 CASES, DEATHS CONTINUE TO RISE NATIONALLY

Ontario’s health minister on Wednesday suggested Canada could start receiving millions of doses of COVID-19 as soon as January, providing a glimmer of hope on an otherwise dark day marked by rising cases and death counts in many provinces.

Christine Elliott said in question period that the country is set to get four million doses of the Pfizer vaccine between January and March as well as two million doses of Moderna’s vaccine.

She said in question period that 1.6 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 800,000 of the Moderna vaccine are destined for Ontario.

When asked directly to confirm the dates and numbers, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu would only say it was “really exciting” that Canada is well-positioned to receive millions of doses from both companies.

“There are a number of steps to go through before we actually get to the point of distribution, including the regulatory review with Health Canada to ensure the safety of both vaccines,” Hajdu told reporters.

Pfizer announced Wednesday it intends to seek approval for emergency use of its novel coronavirus vaccine after new test results showed it is 95 per cent effective, is safe, and works to protects vulnerable older adults.

Hajdu said both manufacturers had also submitted for approval in Canada, which she said will allow regulators to receive and review data as it comes in.

Elliott said that once the vaccine is approved, priority will go to people in long-term care homes, hospitals and group settings — similar to the flu vaccine.

In Edmonton, Calgary and other major cities, indoor recreation and team sports, fitness classes and amateur performing arts groups are also banned.

The province is to review the success of those measures on Nov. 27, but Hinshaw said she is distressed to hear stories of some fitness groups and sports teams trying to circumvent the rules.

“I have seen examples of fitness studios running group classes with a video rather than with an instructor,” she said.

“Some team sport practices have continued by moving to a neighbouring community’s rink and some teams continue to socialize together simply because they’re in a cohort as a team.

“These actions risk not just further restrictions on their own businesses and activities, but further restrictions for all those who are choosing to comply.

“This is deadly serious.”

During question period at the legislature, Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley urged the United Conservative government to impose mandatory mask wearing in public indoor spaces in all areas with concerning case counts.

Notley said 91 of 142 regions with troubling caseloads have a patchwork of rules on mask wearing, and a broad order is needed to better keep vulnerable people safe.

“Masks help stop the spread. It’s the simplest way to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities,” Notley told Health Minister Tyler Shandro.

“Stats show that a higher number of Albertans aged 60 years or more those who are most vulnerable - live in rural and smaller communities.

“Why won’t you help those people and make masks mandatory in those hot-spot communities?”

Shandro did not commit to a mask ban and accused the NDP of spreading misinformation and undermining support for provincial pandemic efforts.

“We’re making decisions here in Alberta based on data and the advice of the chief medical officer of health. That’s what Albertans want. Not polls and gutter politics,” he said.