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Canary Islands volcano ‘much more aggressive’ as new fissures erupt The GuardianCanary Islands volcano ‘much more aggressive’ as new fissures erupt - The Guardian
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Sunday, October 3, 2021
Canary Islands volcano ‘much more aggressive’ as new fissures erupt - The Guardian
Canary Islands volcano ‘much more aggressive’ as new fissures erupt - The Guardian
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Saturday, October 2, 2021
Military nurses expected in Alberta Monday but experts say more still must be done against fourth wave of COVID-19 - CTV Edmonton
Up to eight Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) nursing officers will be ready on Monday to help Alberta’s beleaguered health-care system, but some medical experts believe the provincial government must take more action.
Bill Blair, the federal minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the CAF members will be in place by Monday, Oct. 4, and be ready to provide care for COVID-19 patients.
In addition, Blair said planning to send 20 medical professionals from the Canadian Red Cross to augment ICU staff is still underway. No timeline was given as to when the federal minister expected the medical staff to be in place.
“We are always ready to help Canadians across the country during difficult times, and this pandemic has been no different,” Blair said in the statement.
“The Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Red Cross, and health professionals have stepped up time and again over the past 19 months to answer the call to protect people, and I want to thank all those on the front lines who continue to keep Canadians safe."
HEALTH-CARE DEMAND CONTINUES
As of Friday, the province had 263 patients in ICUs with COVID-19 – the fourth-highest amount of patients to date. More than 1,060 patients were in hospitals. Another 53 patients were receiving care in ICUs for non-COVID-19 related needs.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) said the province had 374 total ICU beds – including 201 additional surge spaces, a 116 per cent increase over the normal baseline of 173 beds.
According to AHS, the provincial ICU capacity as of Friday was 84 per cent. Without surge capacity, that number would be 183 per cent.
The Edmonton zone has the most patients in hospital, with 316, and the most in ICU, 115. The Calgary zone and Central zone have 284 and 186 patients, respectively.
No other zone has more than 100 patients in ICU, while Calgary has 91.
On Friday, AHS revealed that the Elk Point Emergency Department would be without physician coverage from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in October due to a shortage of on-site physicians.
“This is a temporary measure,” AHS said. “We will keep the community updated as physician recruitment efforts continue and more information becomes available.
Nursing staff will remain at the site to provide triage and referrals for patients to surrounding communities. AHS said residents of Elk Point and the region the emergency department serves will be re-routed to St. Paul – 35 kilometres away – if they require care.
“We are thankful for the support of surrounding health-care centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time,” AHS said.
Elk Point is located on Highway 41 and is about 215 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
As of Friday, AHS said there were 22 other active temporary bed or space reductions at facilities across the province, most having to do with staffing pressures, including Red Deer, Ponoka, Edson, Grande Prairie, and High Level.
HEALTH-CARE STAFF WORRY OUTSIDE HELP IS NOT ENOUGH
Despite numerous calls for temporary closures or firebreaks, Premier Jason Kenney said the province is not planning on implementing any.
“What we are seeing as a general trend is an apparent plateauing of cases,” Kenney said at a media availability on Thursday.
Dr. Joe Vipond, an emergency room physician in Calgary, disagreed with the premier’s statement.
“It’s not like we’re plateauing at 20 cases a day,” he told CTV News. “We’re plateauing at 1,700 cases a day.”
Public health expert Lorian Hardcastle believes Kenney is continuing to downplay the situation Albertans are facing.
“You really get a sense (from him) that this is an issue we can contain, we can increase capacity,” Hardcastle said. “It doesn’t send the urgent message that I think is needed.”
Dr. James Talbot, former chief medical officer of health for Alberta, told CTV News that the way the province is handling the COVID-19 pandemic is “callous.”
“We’d like to know how much longer we can expect to see 15 to 20 people die (daily) in Alberta,” he said. “We’d like to know how much longer we can expect to see that stress on hospitals.
“We’re grateful for the outside help, but it’s not going to buy us time.”
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Touria Izri
Military nurses expected in Alberta Monday but experts say more still must be done against fourth wave of COVID-19 - CTV Edmonton
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Ontario reports 704 new coronavirus cases, 7 more deaths - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News
Ontario reported more than 700 new COVID-19 cases and seven more deaths on Saturday, marking the highest single-day case count in over a week.
Provincial health officials logged 704 new coronavirus infections today, up from 668 yesterday and from 640 a week ago.
Today marks the highest daily tally since Sept. 24 when 727 cases were reported.
Of the latest cases, 401 of the individuals are unvaccinated, 44 are partially vaccinated, 198 are fully vaccinated and 61 have an unknown vaccination status.
About 29 per cent of all Ontarians are unvaccinated against the disease, including children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible for a shot.
Ontario recorded 647 new cases on Thursday, 495 on Wednesday and 466 on Tuesday.
The seven-day rolling average now stands at 607, up from 597 on Friday but down from 629 a week ago.
Another 645 people recovered from the virus yesterday, resulting in 5,021 active cases across the province..
According to the Ministry of Health, all of the seven deaths reported today occurred in the last month. The province’s virus-related death toll stands at 9,750.
Ontario labs processed more than 29,500 tests in the past 24 hours, leaving the positivity rate unchanged from yesterday at 1.8 per cent, the ministry says.
Of the latest cases, 151 are children between the ages of zero and 11 years old, 60 of the individuals are between 12 and 19 years old, 264 are between 20 and 39 years old, 143 are between 40 and 59, 68 are between 60 and 79 and 17 are 80 years and older.
In the Greater Toronto Area, Toronto reported 150 new cases, while 67 infections were reported in Peel Region, 46 in York Region, 15 in Halton and 14 in Durham.
Elsewhere in Southern Ontario, 70 new cases were logged in Ottawa, 44 in Hamilton and 32 in Windsor-Essex.
The ministry says there are 274 people in Ontario hospitals receiving treatment for the virus and 162 patients are in intensive care units.
Of those in ICUs, Health Minister Christine Elliott says 155 are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status and seven are fully vaccinated.
So far, 86 per cent of eligible Ontarians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 81 per cent have received two doses and are considered fully vaccinated.
The numbers used in this story are found in the Ontario Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Daily Epidemiologic Summary. The number of cases for any city or region may differ slightly from what is reported by the province, because local units report figures at different times.
Ontario reports 704 new coronavirus cases, 7 more deaths - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News
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Infectious disease expert says B.C. needs to be more transparent with breakthrough COVID-19 cases - CBC.ca
A B.C. infectious disease expert says the province should release more detailed information about who among the fully vaccinated is contracting breakthrough COVID-19 infections.
Dr. Brian Conway of the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre says the majority of breakthrough cases result in mild symptoms, but understanding who is most at risk will better target interventions to stem the spread of the disease.
"What we are doing right now isn't working as well as we would like," Conway said. "Let's try and prioritize who ... are getting these breakthrough infections so we can focus our booster program on those individuals."
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said its main focus is vaccine effectiveness.
"BCCDC does not have information about whether the cases are immunocompromised or had underlying health conditions," they said.
A new study out of the U.K. is shedding light on where breakthrough cases are occurring.
Researchers from the University of Oxford recently published a paper ranking those in the U.K. most at risk of breakthrough infections and who are at higher risk of being hospitalized or dying from infection.
The data, collected from around five million fully vaccinated people, shows that only a small minority remain at risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death. But some key risk factors include: living with Down's syndrome, sickle cell disease, HIV, AIDS, dementia, Parkinson's disease, neurological conditions, or liver cirrhosis; being a recipient of a kidney, bone marrow or solid organ transplant; undergoing chemotherapy and living in a care home.
"Too many people are thinking that COVID is about to come to an end … and that's just simply not the case," Conway said.
Increase in breakthrough cases
The province's data shows an increase in breakthrough cases where an infection occurred at least two weeks after a second dose.
The data shows that of the people who contracted COVID between Sept. 22 and 28, 28.8 per cent were fully vaccinated.
That's compared to the Aug. 23 - 29 reporting period, where 19.8 per cent of infections were among fully vaccinated people.
Despite current health orders placing no restrictions on personal gatherings, Conway says he still has concerns about the potential risks of people gathering over the upcoming Thanksgiving Day long weekend.
"They'll want to get together with a large number of people and they'll say 'it's almost over and doing it for one night won't hurt.' It's not almost over and one night might hurt," he said.
The province's most recent modelling shows two doses of any vaccine to be highly protective, including against the Delta variant.
The data shows hospitalization risk is reduced by 90 per cent, and infection risk reduced by 90 per cent for recipients of mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Comirnaty, 70 per cent for recipients of viral vector-based vaccines such as AstraZeneca or Vaxzevria, while mixed doses "offer protection similar to two mRNA doses."
Conway says emerging data shows booster shots will likely be required six months after people get their second dose, but adds that the vaccine alone isn't going to lead the province toward community-based immunity.
"Understanding where the breakthrough infections are occurring will help the people of British Columbia, the people of Canada and public health officials target our interventions better."
Infectious disease expert says B.C. needs to be more transparent with breakthrough COVID-19 cases - CBC.ca
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Ontario reports more than 700 COVID-19 cases, 7 additional deaths - Global News
Ontario reported 704 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 587,521.
It marks the first time the province has reported more than 700 cases since Sept. 24.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said of the new cases, 506 involve people who are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, while 198 are fully vaccinated individuals.
For comparison, last Saturday 640 cases were reported, meaning the seven-day average increased. It stands at 607, up from Friday when it was 597. Last Saturday, it was 629.
Seven additional deaths were also announced on Oct. 2, bringing the provincial virus-related death toll to 9,750. Officials said all of the seven deaths occurred within the past month.
A total of 572,750 coronavirus cases are considered resolved, which is up by 645.
More than 29,500 additional tests were completed. Ontario has now administered a total of 18,141,603 tests and 18,652 remain under investigation.
The province indicated that the positivity rate for the last day was 1.8 per cent, which is the same as Friday’s report, and up slightly from last Saturday’s report, when it was 1.9 per cent.
Provincial figures showed there are 162 people in intensive care due to COVID-19 (down by one), 110 of whom are on a ventilator (down by seven).
Elliott said of those in intensive care, 155 patients are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, while seven are fully vaccinated.
As of 8 p.m. Friday, 21,847,046 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered in Ontario, marking an increase of 37,333. Of the new shots administered, 12,729 were first doses and 24,604 were second doses.
In Ontario, 86.4 per cent of people aged 12-plus have received at least one vaccine dose and 81.2 per cent are fully vaccinated.
View link »© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ontario reports more than 700 COVID-19 cases, 7 additional deaths - Global News
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Pandemic has more London families dealing with food security issues - CTV News London
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 more and more people are seeking help to feed themselves and their families.
“Homelessness is up, rent prices are going up, the number of people coming to the food bank is going up, and food prices are going up,” says Glen Pearson, the Co-Director at the London and Area Food Bank. “It’s all having an affect.”
To help feed the growing numbers, the food bank joined forces with the city’s community resource centres to help those in need.
“When the pandemic hit, the number of people going to the resource centres drastically increased,” says Jane Roy, the Co-Director of the London and Area Food Bank. “Because of that, we really recognized the need to partner with the resource centres.”
Those at the Northwest London Resource Centre say having the food bank on their side has really helped those they serve. Besides food security people also get help at the centres with finding employment or a place to live.
“When we help people with food, its more than just hunger, there’s a reason they’re here,” says Nancy Needham from the Northwest London Resource Centre. “Yes hunger is a part of it but we ask ‘what else is going on?’ ”
On Friday, the food bank kicked off its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive at the resource centre and is asking the community to give once again.
Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at most grocery stores but people can also make a monetary donation online.
Pearson says the need has never been greater adding, “We’ve made more changes this year than we ever had in our 35 years to get the food out and yet the numbers keep going up and I worry about that.”
To help out or to donate you can visit the London Food Bank website.
The Thanksgiving drive runs until October 11th.
Pandemic has more London families dealing with food security issues - CTV News London
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Friday, October 1, 2021
BC students have more opportunities to train for in-demand health-care jobs | BC Gov News - BC Gov News
British Columbians looking for rewarding health-care careers now have access to a state-of-the-art learning environment with Okanagan College’s new Health Sciences Centre, which opened to students this semester.
“If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s how essential health-care workers are to our province,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “We know B.C. needs more health-care professionals, and we’re committed to training a new generation of the people who care for us when we need it. Okanagan College’s new Health Sciences Centre is a modern, new facility that will help set both students and our province up for success.”
Opened at the Kelowna campus in September 2021, the 2,822-square-metre (30,375-square-foot) facility includes student-centred labs, classrooms and office space for a wide array of health and social development programs. The cutting-edge learning environments have been equipped with the latest education technology and designed to reflect spaces students will encounter in industry. The building will support 591 students in programs that train students for in-demand jobs, such as certified dental assistant, health-care assistant, pharmacy technician and more.
“The new Health Sciences Centre at Okanagan College is helping meet the demand for employment growth and the health-care services people in the Southern Okanagan and B.C. Interior rely on every day,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “This building is a showcase of our commitment to building learning spaces that meet the growing demand for services, while ensuring these structures reflect the best in sustainable building practices.”
Health-care professionals are in high demand in the province and across Canada. The 2019 BC Labour Market Outlook projected 117,100 job openings in health professions by 2029. Okanagan College students in programs ranging from its bachelor of science in nursing to health-care assistant, pharmacy technician and dental assistant will study in the new building.
“This new facility will provide Okanagan College students with a world-class learning environment that will only further enhance the already outstanding education and training they are receiving at the college,” said Neil Fassina, president, Okanagan College. “We are grateful to the Province and to the community donors and industry partners across the region who have stepped to help us open these doors at a time when well-trained health-care and social development professionals are needed more than ever.”
Aligned with the Province’s CleanBC goals for energy-efficient buildings, the building is one of 16 projects in the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Pilot Program, the results of which will help CaGBC refine the Zero Carbon Building Standard. The CaGBC is a not-for-profit founded in 2002 that works to advance green building and sustainable community development practices in Canada.
Quotes:
Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monahsee –
“Students will have an incredible new space to learn in at the new Health Sciences Centre. The blend of art and science is so evident in the design of the space. People throughout British Columbia benefit from the health-care services taught at Okanagan College, and having such an outstanding facility locally is good news for the entire region and province.”
Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health –
“This purpose-built Health Sciences Centre in the heart of the Interior is a gamechanger for people living in the region who want to pursue health-care careers. Since attending the groundbreaking celebration three years ago, we have been excited for the day when students would be able to walk through the facility’s doors, and begin their journey in health care. Interior Health is actively recruiting throughout the region and now, more people will have the opportunity to develop the skills, education and experience they need for rewarding careers here at home.”
Yvonne Moritz, associate vice-president, education services, and interim dean, science, technology and health, Okanagan College –
“Given the hands-on, highly practical nature of health and social development training, it’s incredibly important for students and instructors to have access to learning environments that reflect the settings they’ll encounter out in the industry. In this new facility, students step into state-of-the-art health-care labs and settings that reflect the current realities of dynamic hospital, clinic and home care.”
Katelyn McGillivray, bachelor of science nursing student, Okanagan College –
“Health care is a demanding field, so having state-of-the-art classrooms and labs like those in the new Health Sciences Centre is extremely important. As a student, I really appreciate how the college and the Province are investing in the best possible facilities and education that will set us up for success going into our careers.”
Quick Facts:
- The $19.4-million Health Sciences Centre received $15.4 million from government, with the remaining $2.9 million funded by Okanagan College and $1.1 million from donors.
- The Health Sciences Centre is home to the following programs: certified dental assistant, early childhood education, practical nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, health-care assistant, human service work, pharmacy technician, therapy assistant.
BC students have more opportunities to train for in-demand health-care jobs | BC Gov News - BC Gov News
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