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Monkeypox now a global health threat. But risk not necessarily higher in Canada: experts – National

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency Saturday, and while experts acknowledge the virus may be a constant threat in Canada, they say the risk level hasn’t necessarily increased in the country. “I don’t think that that threat has necessarily increased at the moment, but it certainly has the potential to do so,”  said Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious diseases specialist at McGill University Health Centre.READ MORE: ‘Anyone can get monkeypox’: experts emphasize science-first messagingIsaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at the Toronto General Hospital, said the risk to the general public in Canada is extraordinarily low...

Doctors say health system has ‘collapsed’ as patient surges fuel ER closures – National

With surging demand forcing emergency room closures across the country, front-line physicians say more immediate help is needed before things get worse. Dr. Raghu Venugopal, an emergency room physician in Toronto, says he believes the health system is not collapsing, but rather that it has “already collapsed.”“Nurses and doctors across Ontario and Canada who are working in emergency departments are greatly dismayed, honestly, by the human situation that patients and families have to face on a daily basis,” he said. Read more: Ontario hospitals warn of more upcoming ER closures through the summer “The wait times are exceedingly long. Nurses...

COVID-19: New Omicron subvariant detected in Canada

A new Omicron subvariant that is driving infections in India has been detected in Canada. Known as BA.2.75, the coronavirus mutation has been found across India and in smaller numbers in at least 10 other countries, including Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Canada. "As of July 6, it is estimated there are 5 detections of BA.2.75 in Canada based on the preliminary definition," a Public Health Agency of Canada spokesperson told CTVNews.ca. "These numbers may change as the definition of this sub-lineage is clarified." While BA.2.75 is thought to be highly contagious and...

COVID: Canada enters summer wave, experts say

As summer festivals get underway across Canada, so too has another wave of COVID-19, experts warn. "There is a potential for things to get substantially worse if we're not a little bit careful and don't take some basic steps to try to mitigate the spread of these variants," Dr. Christopher Labos, a Montreal-based epidemiologist and cardiologist, told CTV News. The more infectious BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants are expected to make up a larger share of all COVID-19 cases in Canada. Labos says people may be more vulnerable if more time has passed since their last...

Interest groups excited for potential new sports facilities in Regina – Regina

The potential for new sports facilities coming to Regina has interest groups excited at the possibilities. On Wednesday, Regina’s executive council voted to form a new catalytic committee to oversee the development of three potential new sports facilities, a new aquatic centre, a new multipurpose high performance baseball facility and a replacement for the Brandt Centre. Read more: Regina city council looking at trio of sports facilities for downtown The Regina Red Sox are one group in the city that’s been looking for a new facility to call home. Their current home field, Currie Field, is outdated and only seats...

CUPE calls for Saskatchewan long-term health care facilities to remain in public sector

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling on the Saskatchewan government to reconsider a private option for the Regina Pioneer Village. Last week, the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a request for proposal to find proponents to provide up to 375 standard long-term care beds in Regina. Read more: Scott Moe talks energy security and health transfer ahead of premiers meeting “We are committed to providing the best possible services for long-term care residents in Regina, now and into the future,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley...

Advancing health care and reconciliation: The contributions of 4 of this year’s Order of Canada members

Read Story TranscriptLorraine M. Wright was completely stunned when she got the call recognizing her as a member of the Order of Canada. "I don't drink coffee, but my hands were actually trembling when they told me the news," she told The Current guest host Nahlah Ayed. "It was pretty, pretty overwhelming."The former nurse and author is one of 85 new appointees to the Order of Canada this year. It's one of the country's highest civilian honours — and this year's list includes Canada's first Indigenous female MP, Ethel Blondin-Andrew; and sports legends Angela James and Donovan Bailey.Wright, who's being recognized...

Guerrero drives in 3 to lead Blue Jays to rout of Rays on Canada Day

As Blue Jays reliever Max Castillo closed out Toronto's win over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, thousands of fans at Rogers Centre started singing "O Canada."The spontaneous patriotic gesture moved Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, who was relieved that his team cruised past Tampa 9-2 on Friday in the Blue Jays' first home game on Canada Day since 2019.Canada's only Major League Baseball franchise played in Dunedin, Fla., and Buffalo, N.Y., for most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to COVID-19 regulations."This is one of those things that reminds you how great is to play for Canada," said Montoyo....

Doctor says N.B. health-care system ‘sinking faster than the Titanic’ – New Brunswick

Dr. Mark Waite, who practices family medicine in the Greater Moncton Area, said New Brunswick’s health-care system “is sinking faster than the Titanic” in a social media post on Tuesday. Between his own clinic, two after-hours clinics and hospital rounds, he says he works well over 50 hours a week.“I just wanted to vent my frustrations with what I’ve been seeing day after day. I mean, the problem has been building up for some time. When I started five years ago, there were issues that just continue to grow worse,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.In his post, he...

Canada extends COVID-19 border measures for incoming travellers – National

Random COVID-19 testing of fully vaccinated travellers will continue to be paused at all airports until mid-July, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said on Wednesday. The Government of Canada also has extended current COVID-19 border measures for travellers entering Canada until at least Sept. 30, including the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. Read more: Ottawa’s move to halt random COVID-19 testing ‘welcome news’ for Canada’s airports On June 10, Canada announced that it will end random COVID-19 testing of inbound international travellers from June 11 to June 30.This measure is put in place in an effort to...