Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 93,699,094. (Deaths: 2,005,537 and Recovered: 66,959,082)
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 Friday January 15, 2021:
Health Canada reported 688,891 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 77,956 cases are active, there have been 17,538 deaths and 593,397 people have recovered.
The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 228,310 total confirmed cases and 5,189 total deaths. 29,307 are active. Currently, there are 1,657 people are in hospital with 388 of those cases currently in ICU. 193,814 cases have been resolved. (The government has previously said that once the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU exceeds 300, it becomes nearly impossible for health-care workers to provide care not related to the disease.) Ontario has now surpassed Quebec in active cases.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 236,827. (23,208 are active)
The Region of Durham reported 9,323 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (867 active). Clarington rose to 667 cases, of which 65 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "5"
In international news,
(OK, I don't get it. We were originally told that COVID-19 started because somebody ate a bat, or vice versa? Now, the WHO is back in Wuhan to figure out how COVID-19 started?) WHO team in Wuhan tracks coronavirus origins as new variants rack up cases. As new variants of the novel coronavirus pop up around the globe, a team from the World Health Organization is back where it all began -- in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the pandemic first started more than a year ago. The delegation was greeted by security staff in full protective gear on Thursday before heading into a 14-day quarantine in order to start their mission. “It's extremely important that we understand the origin of the virus, not only for scientific purposes, but also to reduce the risk of any future outbreaks,” said Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for the WHO. But even as these scientists prepare to probe the origins of the novel coronavirus, there are new concerns taking the spotlight. Three variants of the original novel coronavirus are turning up in as many as 50 countries, often accompanied by steep rises in hospitalizations and deaths.
(Now, here is a place I could be stranded.) Fiji launches COVID traveller safety protocol program. The new destination-wide program has been developed ahead of borders reopening, with training and technology as key pillars. Nearly 200 tourism partners in Fiji including hotels and resorts, tour operators, attractions, restaurants and more have undertaken a comprehensive training program in adopting the destination’s new COVID-safe protocols ahead of the future border reopening. The ‘Care Fiji Commitment’ from Tourism Fiji has been launched as a multi-pronged and destination-wide commitment and risk management strategy to ensure the safety of visitors and locals when international borders are reopened. The Pacific nation has successfully managed and eradicated COVID-19 within its islands, having had no community transmission since the first half of 2020.
In national news,
From the National Post, Provinces to endure vaccine scarcity until millions more of doses arrive in April: General Fortin. 'The quantities of doses arriving in Canada is anticipated to average more than one million doses a week,' he added. Canada can expect millions of doses of COVID vaccine to arrive in April but is currently experiencing a scarcity, said the army boss in charge of handling the vaccine rollout. Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin said some regions were ramping up to handle extra supplies but there was a limited amount of vaccine available. “We have been sharing data with provinces and territories who, of course, understandably want more vaccines as they ramp up their vaccination programs. The challenge is we have limited quantities,” said Fortin. “The rub is right now, as clinics are starting to ramp up, there is perhaps disappointment with the relatively small numbers that are being distributed.” He added, “We have a scarcity of vaccines in the first quarter.” The second quarter, beginning in April, would see a “ramp up” phase when Canada would see millions of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines arrive.
In Ontario,
(From the "I bet not for very long" file.) OFSC Says Use Of Snowmobile Trails Allowed During Lockdown. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile clubs is saying that it is still business as usual, despite the lockdown. They say that under the new stay at home order, trails remain a permitted recreational activity. In section 16 of the order outlining what is permitted, they say article two allows riders to use any amenity that is permitted to be open during a Stage 1 Order. They say under the Stage 1 Order, snowmobiling is listed as allowed under a stage one lockdown, along with cross country skiing, dogsledding and snowshoe trails. They also say that grooming of trails can continue, as workers and volunteers are granted an exception under the framework. They say that snowmobilers with valid trail permits can access any available or limitedly available. That being said, they urge all snowmobilers to ride close to home and comply with the stay-at-home order. They remind riders that the OFSC is about riding trails, not travelling to them. They say that any questions about trailering away from your home should be directed to local law enforcement.
‘How much clearer could we be?:’ Ontario health official admonishes some residents for flouting public health advice. Ontario’s top public health official is expressing his frustration with residents who he says continue to ignore public health advice, despite a surging number of COVID-19 infections. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams told reporters at a briefing on Thursday that officials have recently seen a rash of new cases associated with New Year’s Eve gatherings after seeing a similar phenomenon occur earlier this month with infections tied to Christmas gatherings. He said that while the vast majority of Ontarians have been “vigilant” in following public health advice, it has become increasingly clear that a small portion are choosing to ignore it, something that he said must change. “People are continually not adhering and taking those precautions and we need them to do that,” he said. “Some people are doing very well. They have been vigilant and I know some are getting angry and saying ‘I am doing my part but I watch some other people and they are not doing it’ and they do not understand that. But then there are some people saying ‘I am not doing it and I don’t really care.’ I don’t understand that kind of thinking.
(Well, of course it was in Peel.) Peel Police say Mississauga residents are calling 9-1-1 to find out if it is okay to go out? Police say such questions have been clogging up emergency lines such as 911 and other general information sources such as Twitter and Facebook. Police have been directing the public to call 311 for information or to follow this Government of Ontario link to see what the new measures are. While the police have been able to answer many of the calls, they say it is making it harder for those who have legitimate issues to reach emergency services.
In local news,
A member of the Trent University community in Peterborough has tested positive for COVID-19, the university reported Thursday. The person had been in the Peterborough residence specifically designated for quarantine during the contagion period. The person will not leave quarantine until advised by Peterborough Public Health that it is safe to do so, the university reported, and has been connected with services and supports. The Peterborough campus, including Trent residences, remain open with reduced operations during the province’s COVID-19 lockdown. (Kawartha reports 14 new cases in the greater Kawarthas region. Regional active cases fall to 134, with 5 new cases in Peterborough, 5 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, 1 in Hastings Prince Edward.)
Musing,
Many people I know are pondering bending the lock-down rules, as opposed to strictly adhering to them.
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues." (CICERO)
WTF is a "booch?"
Did you know....ER Doctors in Ontario may soon have to use the Critical Care Triage? In other words, they will make the decision as to who lives....and who dies.
On this day in history, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is finished.
On January 15, 1831, Victor Hugo finishes writing Notre Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Distracted by other projects, Hugo had continually postponed his deadlines for delivering the book to his publishers, but once he sat down to write it, he completed the novel in only four months.
Today is - NATIONAL BOOCH DAY – NATIONAL HAT DAY – NATIONAL BAGEL DAY – NATIONAL STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM DAY
The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
supportontariomade.ca
Here is how to clean your non-medical mask.
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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