Worldwide stats provided by Worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 107,059,323. (Deaths: 2,337,992 and Recovered: 78,941,251)
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 Tuesday February 9, 2021:
Health Canada reported 808,120 confirmed cases of COVID-19, to date. 40,175 cases are active, there have been 20,835 deaths and 747,110 people have recovered.
The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 279,472 total confirmed cases and 6,538 total deaths. 14,331 are active. Currently, there are 901 people are in hospital with 335 of those cases currently in ICU. 258,603 cases have been resolved. The Ontario government has previously said that when 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.
The Region of Durham reported 11,098 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (319 active). Clarington rose to 815 cases, of which 32 are active. Hospitalized in Clarington currently: "3", total deceased: "12"
In international news,
From Vice News, The NFL Honored Health Care Workers by Throwing a Superspreader Super Bowl. About 22,000 attended the game in person, and countless others celebrated in the streets. If you took a look at the pictures coming out of the Super Bowl, you’d never know that the U.S. was in the middle of a global pandemic. After nearly a year of public health experts stressing the need for social distancing, the National Football League held an in-person Super Bowl game for around 22,000 people, and the host city was poppin’. Outside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, thousands more swarmed the streets to cheer on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, often standing shoulder to shoulder without masks, in videos posted on social media. Fans packed the stadium to watch the Bucs and the Chiefs fight it out in Super Bowl LV, in a state that’s continuously been in the news for opposing coronavirus restrictions.
In national news,
Here’s why Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Canada have been delayed. Moderna’s delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to Canada has hit delays because the company has encountered problems with its European supply chain and restrictions on exports of vaccine supplies, the Star has learned. A senior federal source with knowledge of the file told the Star that Moderna is trying to source the material needed to produce its vaccine, and to meet demand for materials needed to package the vaccines. The source said the company’s own supply for materials has been affected by the European Union’s attempt to control how much material is exported before its member states are supplied with vaccine. In a written statement to the Star, Moderna’s country manager for Canada, Patricia Gauthier, confirmed the company’s effort to scale up production in Switzerland is a factor in delayed deliveries to countries outside of the United States.
Ontario, Alberta, Quebec begin gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions as case counts decline. Officials say the presence of COVID-19 variants make public health measures meant to curb the spread of the virus even more vital. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney last week announced he would be easing restrictions on gyms and restaurants in the province, allowing for in-person dining with no more than six people per table. Those new rules came into effect on Monday. Quebec Premier François Legault has meanwhile been mulling a similar gradual easing of restrictions, as various lockdown measures imposed late last year were scheduled to end on Monday. More on Ontario below; read on.
In Ontario,
Here is what changes to the tiered, colour-coded COVID-19 framework mean for Ontario. Ontario has been under a province-wide lockdown since December forcing retail stores, fitness centres and non-essential services to shutdown in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. As case numbers of the novel coronavirus decline, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday that the province would begin gradually moving parts of the province back into its colour-coded framework. On Wednesday, three public health units, including Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, Renfrew County and District Health Unit will move into the “green-prevent” stage of the framework. The province also announced changes to its five-category colour-coded framework on Monday, and CTV News Toronto has compiled a summary of what the changes mean for Ontario.
Prevent (Green)
In this category, the region must focus on education and awareness about public health safety measures. It also requires people to maintain at least two metres of physical distance and wear a face covering in indoor settings. All retailers are also asked to have and post a safety plan. Restrictions reflect those of Stage 3 until there is a widely available vaccine or treatment. To be assigned this status, the health unit must have a weekly incidence rate of fewer than 10 cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate must be under below one 0.5 per cent.
Protect (Yellow)
In this category, the region will enhance targeted enforcement, fines and education to limit further transmission. Additional public health measures are required in high-risk settings, such as restaurants and gyms. Regions placed in the protect category will have a weekly incidence rate between 10 and 24.9 cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate must be between 0.5 and 1.2 per cent.
Restrict (Orange)
When a region moves to this level, enhanced measure and restrictions are applied to slow the spread and prevent closures. During this stage, the province announced on Monday that active screening would take place of people entering indoor malls. The weekly incidence rate in these regions must be between 25 and 39.9 cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate must be between 1.3 and 2.4 per cent. At this level, hospital and ICU occupancy are increasing.
Control (Red)
In the control phase, regions will implement broader-scale measures and restrictions across multiple sectors. This phase will be similar to a modified Stage 2. The restrictions in this phase are the most severe before moving to a lockdown. In-person shopping is permitted for retail services with capacity limits, including a 75 per cent capacity limit for essential stores and a 50 per cent capacity for all other retail stores. Active screening of patrons and workers at indoor malls would continue at this stage. The weekly incident rate is more than 40 cases per 100,000 people. The positivity rate must increase above 2.5 per cent. In this stage, hospital and ICU capacity are at risk of being overwhelmed.
Lockdown (Grey)
While the grey-lockdown phase initially meant the closure of all non-essential businesses, the province announced on Monday that this last category would become more lenient. The province reported that in-person shopping would now be permitted for retail stores with even more stringent capacity limits in this stage. Essential stores like supermarkets and pharmacies would have a 50 per cent capacity limit in this stage, while all other stores would have a 25 per cent capacity limit. In this stage, 10 people are allowed to gather outdoors but two metres distance needs to be maintained. Masks are strongly recommended when outside. Outdoor recreational amenities, including ice rinks and snow trails are open with restrictions. All other restrictions from the four other stages will continue in the grey-lockdown phase
In small town news,
Renfrew County businesses, restaurants can reopen Feb. 10. It was announced today (Feb. 8) that Renfrew County is one of three areas in Ontario to go back to the least restrictive “green” phase of reopening on Feb. 10. This will allow non-essential retail businesses to reopen, all restaurants can resume indoor dining and all personal care services can open. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement during his press briefing.
Musing,
I wonder what places like Bancroft, Renfrew and Kingston will look like this weekend? My guess is, they are going to be over-run with non-residents.
For all the fans and media pundits that are already planning the Leafs parade, I remind you of the outcome for our Canadian Junior's (WJHC).
"You're a daisy if you do." (Doc HOLLIDAY aka Val KILMER)
Spring is just around the corner! Clocks change on March 14th. We are almost there, folks.
Did you know.....Doc Holliday really was a dentist?
Have you ever....eaten lox?
WTF is ...............odontalgia?
On this day in history, 1942, Daylight saving time instituted.
Congress pushes ahead standard time for the United States by one hour in each time zone, imposing daylight saving time—called at the time “war time.” Daylight saving time, suggested by President Roosevelt, was imposed to conserve fuel, and could be traced back to World War I, when Congress imposed one standard time on the United States to enable the country to better utilize resources, following the European model. The 1918 Standard Time Act was meant to be in effect for only seven months of the year—and was discontinued nationally after the war. But individual states continued to turn clocks ahead one hour in spring and back one hour in fall. (Canada first observed Daylight Saving Time in 1908. Canada has observed DST for 109 years between 1908 and 2021.)
Today is - NATIONAL PIZZA DAY - NATIONAL TOOTHACHE DAY - SAFER INTERNET DAY - NATIONAL BAGEL AND LOX DAY - NATIONAL CUT THE CORD DAY
The Bank of Canada unclaimed balances portal can be found here.
COVID-19 vaccination approximate dates here.
Lakeridge Health Mental Health Clinic 905-440-7534 or toll free at 1-833-392-7363 (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm)
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