Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 16,920,857. (Deaths: 664,141 and Recovered: 10,485,316) I emphasize reported because there is a wide variance in testing and manner of reporting from country to country and place to place.
As of 6:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday July 29, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 114,952 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 38,910 total confirmed cases and 2,768 total deaths. Currently, there are 96 people are in hospital with 31 of those in ICU. 34,567 cases have been resolved.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 58,897.
The Region of Durham reported 1,797 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 1 current outbreak (Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes) at Reachview Village LTCF with 35 outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, Clarington still sits at 102 total cases. (95 are resolved and 7 people have passed away. Hospitalized currently: "Zero")
In international news,
Spain slams UK, Germany for advising tourists to stay away. MADRID/LONDON/BERLIN (Reuters) - Spain reacted angrily on Tuesday to recommendations from Britain and Germany that their citizens avoid its islands and beaches because of an increase in coronavirus cases during what should be the height of the tourism season. With advisories piling up on top of a quarantine order from Britain for returning travellers, Spain, which depends on summer visits by sun-seeking northern Europeans, is facing a major blow to any hopes of reviving its economy. Tourism accounts for just over 12% of Spain’s GDP and nearly 13% of jobs. The country lost one million jobs between April and June, its biggest ever quarterly decline, and fears steeper losses as the summer season crashes. “It’s very unfair because it’s not based on any sanitary criteria,” Francina Armengol, the head of the key tourist Balearic region, told Cadena Ser radio of the travel advisories. Britain’s decision had no logical explanation, Armengol said, adding that the archipelago’s contagion rate was lower than that of the United Kingdom. The northern Spanish Aragon region said the no-travel advisories were “discriminatory”. Their comments chimed with those of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who on Monday said it was a mistake for Britain to have considered Spain’s overall coronavirus rate rather than having a granular, regional approach.
Catalan youngsters face hefty fines for 'botellon' drinking parties. Catalonia on Tuesday banned informal outdoor parties popular with youngsters, saying anyone taking part would be fined up to 15,000 euros ($17,598.00), in the latest step to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. The measure was announced a day after Catalan leader Quim Torra said those participating in the tradition of the “botellon,” whereby young people gather at night on the street or in parks to share drinks and party, were being irresponsible. Anyone ignoring the ban would be fined between 3,000 and 15,000 euros, Budo said, with municipalities in charge of monitoring and enforcement.
Kenya extends curfew for a month as COVID-19 cases jump. NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta extended a nightly curfew on Monday for 30 days to curb the spread of COVID-19 and banned alcohol sales in restaurants but stopped short of locking down the country again despite a surge in cases. The curfew had been due to be lifted on Aug. 6 or 7. Kenya has so far reported 17,975 cases of infection with the new coronavirus and 285 deaths from the related disease COVID-19. The health ministry said on Sunday it had reported 960 more cases, the biggest daily jump since the first case was confirmed in March.
Say what? Donald Trump Jr. in Twitter jail for sharing 'demon sperm' doctor's hydroxychloroquine video. The video contained disinformation from a Republican donor-backed group, and one doctor with bewildering views. After declaring a video in which a group of lab coat-wearing doctors spread extreme coronavirus disinformation a “must watch,” Donald Trump Jr. was suspended from Twitter for 12 hours. Among those front and centre in the clip is a Houston doctor who believes that demons have sex with humans as they dream, causing all manner of ailments. Ummmm....ok then.
In national news,
Health Canada authorizes first drug to treat patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms. They gave remdesivir (brand name Veklury) the green light, but there are conditions tied to the approval. It can only be used in people who are 12 and older with a body weight of at least 40 kg. Remdesivir is administred intravenously and can only be used in healthcare facilities where patients can be closely monitored. The manufacturer of the drug, Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., will also have to submit to Health Canada the following:
1) post-market safety monitoring reports, as well as reports on all serious adverse drug reactions, annual pregnancy safety reports and any foreign regulatory actions related to the safety of remdesivir;
2) any further data on the safety and efficacy of the drug, including final data from ongoing clinical trials and additional safety data on patients with liver and kidney disease; and
3) further quality data confirming that the manufacturing processes and controls will consistently produce product of suitable quality for the intended use.
The drug has been granted emergency or conditional authorization in other countries including the U.S. Europe, Japan, Singapore and Australia.
Alberta is seeing an increase in cases, again. Alberta adds 80 COVID-19 cases, continuing care home reports 3 new deaths. Alberta reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday afternoon but active infections saw a small decrease. Active cases fell by 33 to 1,397 while hospitalizations remained at 88, with 16 people in ICUs. The province added one more COVID-19 death since Monday's update, but Edmonton's Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre says three more people have died at the facility, increasing its death toll to 15. Active cases also increased at the continuing care home by three to 64.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu's multiple flights home during COVID-19 pandemic cost $73,000. The minister was the only person on board a seven-seater Cessna Citation C550 at a cost $1,400 per hour when she travelled four times over six weekends. It cost taxpayers just over $73,000 for Health Minister Patty Hajdu to travel from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, even as she advised against non-essential travel during the pandemic lockdown. “Transport Canada’s estimate of the total cost for the flights on which Minister Hajdu was on is $73,220,” spokesperson Simon Rivet said, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. The minister was the only person on board a seven-seater Cessna Citation C550 at a cost $1,400 per hour when she travelled four times over six weekends, including travel ban periods like Easter Weekend and the Victoria Day long weekend. At the time, her office said she had pressing constituency business in Thunder Bay though all public gatherings were banned. Remember we were told to "stay home"? The "rules"....apply only in certain circumstances and income brackets, apparently.
U.S military personnel stationed in St. John's accused of not isolating, as confusion swirls around exemption rules. The manager of a St. John's hotel says American military members have been leaving the hotel and telling staff they were given the OK to do so by the Canada Border Services Agency. Delta Hotel general manager Heather McKinnon said American service members have been leaving the premises, which is causing concerns about COVID-19 in the community as confusion grows over whether federal or provincial rules and exemptions should apply. People took to social media Monday night to say they had spotted the American members, who they said were not self-isolating. St. John's police said they had received a report about the Americans on Monday night; however, officers weren't able to locate them.
In Ontario,
Yesterday, Ontario recorded a decline in new COVID-19 cases for the fourth straight day. Health officials reported 111 new infections on Tuesday, bringing the provincial total to 38,910. Following a spike of 195 new cases being reported last Friday, Ontario saw 138 patients confirmed on Saturday, 137 on Sunday and 119 on Monday.
Pandemic porch pies! Trendy Toronto pizza joint is actually in this man's backyard. What started out as a way to make some money during the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly turned into a pizza making business for one Toronto family. Luke Pollard -- who regularly makes pizza for his friends and family -- told CTV's Your Morning that the enterprise started in March, when the novel coronavirus put a stop to his construction business, resulting in both he and his wife Brianna being out of work. Towards the end of March, Pollard said his wife asked him how big his pizzas were. An hour later, she told him that custom-made boxes were coming the next day and that they were going to sell pizzas from their backyard the following weekend, to make some extra cash.
'Not right now': Ford says province has no set criteria for rolling regions back to Stage 2. Ontario Premier Doug Ford sidestepped a question about rolling regions back to Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan on Tuesday, responding “not right now” when asked if there was a set of specific criteria in place that would see Stage 3 cities further restricted amid an increase of COVID-19 cases. The premier made the comments when speaking with reporters following an announcement in Durham, Ont. “Right now we have to look at every single region,” Ford said. “We really rely on the advice from the healthcare table and they’re doing a good job so far.”
“I don’t think anything spiked too badly.” Health officials reported an additional 111 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday morning. The new infections come after a spike of 195 new cases were reported last Friday. Since then, the province has seen a steady decline in novel coronavirus patients, with 138 cases confirmed on Saturday, 137 on Sunday and 119 on Monday. Of the new 111 COVID-19 cases, 25 were reported in Ottawa, a region that moved to Stage 3 two weeks ago. At least one of four deaths were reported in the city. Twenty-two more cases were reported in Windsor-Essex, a region that has been experiencing outbreaks among migrant workers. The province is expected to announce whether the remaining three regions in Stage 2—Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex—can move to Stage 3 on Wednesday.
In local news,
The Premier was in town, yesterday. Premier Doug Ford spent yesterday in Durham visiting three local companies that stepped up to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ford began in Pickering, where he toured Yorkville Sound, a company that normally makes audio amplifiers and speakers. In response to the pandemic, they shifted to producing ventilators. In the afternoon, Ford went to visit Canada Rubber Group Inc. in Bowmanville, a company that retooled to produce face shields for front-line workers. He wrapped up by popping into All or Nothing Brewhouse and Distillery, an Oshawa brewery that switched to making hand sanitizer in the early days of the pandemic.
Sports, Sports, Sports,
Jays won last night (5-1) and the bullpen looked solid. The red night sky in Washington was stunning. Roark was solid in the starter spot. Nate Pearson takes the mound tonight for his rookie debut with the Jays at 6:05 p.m. The game will be carried by Sportsnet.
In pre-season action, the Leafs beat the Habs (4-2), as Muzzin absolutely crushed Belzile in a "rock 'em, sock 'em" worthy hit. See it here. The camera work during the game was "odd" and a few times, I almost felt dizzy with some of the angles during the action. Maybe a measure to avoid camera pans of empty seats?
Musing,
It's raining today. Not one of those roll through, brief thunder storms, its actually "raining." I literally cannot remember the last day it rained here. Hope it lets up later..it's National Chicken Wing Day and it would be rude to not find a patio and eat a pound, or two.
Watching sports is a nice escape from the reality of what we are currently living. That said, the pre-game COVID-19 productions are pretty heavy and at this point, we all get it. COVID-19 sucks and things are not normal right now. Please, stop reminding us.
Which reminds me, whatever happened to Mike (his highness) Babcock? My spider sense tells me he is lying low to avoid any controversy from his past coaching days. Mike had some "different" ways....
We planted early and have started to harvest some of our vegetables. It is so satisfying to grow and eat your own vegetables. They just taste "better".
From National Geographic, WHAT’S THE SAFEST WAY TO MOVE ABOUT NOW? It’s not ideal to travel during a pandemic. But, if you’ve really got to go somewhere now, there are ways to decrease your risks while taking a trip.
1) The best seat on a plane? A window seat as far from the restroom as possible (the harder part is keeping six feet from others in airport lines).
2) Hotel tips? Confirm your hotel’s cleaning protocols in advance, avoid packed elevators, crowded reception areas, and give high-touch surfaces a wipedown when you arrive.
3) At restaurants, avoid peak times, eat on a patio six feet from other diners, don’t linger, and tip well (the last bit is kindness advice, not health advice).
And remember, that you should quarantine for two weeks on each side of a trip to limit exposing others to pathogens.
"The measure of a man is what he does with power." (PLATO)
"To infinity and beyond!" On this day in history, NASA is created.
The U.S. Congress passes legislation establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a civilian agency responsible for coordinating America’s activities in space, on July 29, 1958. NASA has since sponsored space expeditions, both human and mechanical, that have yielded vital information about the solar system and universe. It has also launched numerous earth-orbiting satellites that have been instrumental in everything from weather forecasting to navigation to global communications.
In 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana.
Nearly one billion television viewers in 74 countries tune in to witness the marriage of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, to Lady Diana Spencer, a young English schoolteacher. Married in a grand ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of 2,650 guests, the couple’s romance was for the moment the envy of the world. Their first child, Prince William, was born in 1982, and their second, Prince Harry, in 1984. My goodness she was such a graceful woman in spite of the circumstances of the marriage. May she RIP.
Today is – NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY – NATIONAL CHICKEN WING DAY – NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY
Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory can be found here.
CERB abuse reporting https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/bscs/l3adz/internet/initial.do?target=login&lang=en&program=qa">can be done here.
To book a COVID-19 test in Durham Region, click here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)
Live coronavirus map of Canada: Tracking every case of COVID-19 in the country.
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