Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

More elderly die as Canada's COVID-19 toll passes 800; economy could shrink 6.2%

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Apr, 2020 06:05 PM

    COVID-19's grim march through many of the country's nursing homes left more residents dead on Tuesday as the facilities fought desperately to stem the lethal spread of a virus that has prompted crushing restrictions on normal personal and commercial activity.

    In all, Canada was closing in on 26,000 confirmed and presumptive cases of coronavirus disease, more than 800 of them fatal.

    The virus has hit older people disproportionately hard, with more than 90 per cent of the deaths among those 60 and above. But the pandemic has been especially brutal to the frail elderly.

    Dr. Theresa Tam, the country's chief public health officer, said outbreaks in long-term care homes were the most pressing epidemic problem. More than half the deaths in the country have occurred in such homes.

    "These stories are horrifying," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, even as he noted long-term care was a provincial responsibility. "We know we need to do more."

    Formally called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2, the virus has hit Quebec the hardest among provinces, both in terms of cases and deaths. Many of the victims were elderly. About 30 long-term care facilities had more than 15 per cent of residents infected, the province said.

    In an effort to deal with the onslaught, a Montreal hospital said it would set up a special unit to treat residents of seniors homes. Starting next week, the unit aims to care for up to 25 of the sickest patients from long-term care homes.

    Ontario, which was set to extend its state of emergency for another four weeks, reported 43 new deaths on Tuesday for a total of 334.

    One home in Toronto attributed nine more deaths to the virus, bringing to 25 the number of fatal infections. The Eatonville Care Centre also said it had 49 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease.

    Similarly, two residents of a care home in British Columbia tested positive just days after four staff members were diagnosed with the respiratory illness. The facility is among 20 long-term care and assisted-living homes in B.C. to be afflicted.

    Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, issued an order banning personal-care home staff from working at multiple locations except in "exceptional circumstances."

    In Ottawa, Trudeau announced that everyone returning from abroad would have to come up with a "credible" isolation plan or spend their mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a hotel.

    While acknowledging Canadians are "very interested" to know when the current anti-COVID restrictions might lift, Trudeau said vigilance remained the watchword and no immediate changes were planned. "The reality is that it's going to be weeks still," Trudeau said. "We're going to have to do it in phases."

    Trudeau also promised additional financial aid for students, essential workers and supports for those struggling with the payment of commercial rents. He also announced $130 million to help northern communities. Part of the money is to support airlines that serve the North and defray the cost of food and hygiene products.

    Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer called on all federal parties to strike a deal for Parliament to meet safely. Accountability, the Conservative leader said, was essential even though he said he supported Liberal government efforts to cushion COVID-19's economic blow by spending more than $100 billion in relief.

    Two emergency sittings in recent weeks occurred with only the bare minimum of legislators in the House of Commons and Senate, but normal parliamentary business was scheduled to resume next week.

    Another indication of just how devastating the pandemic has been on the economic front came from the International Monetary Fund, whose latest forecast predicted Canada's economy would shrink by 6.2 per cent this year. That is more than double the global retraction, which would be the worst year since the Great Depression of the 1930s, the IMF said

    MORE Interesting ARTICLES

    Heart woes spur partial stop of malaria drug study for virus

    Scientists in Brazil have stopped part of a study of the malaria drug touted as a possible coronavirus treatment after heart rhythm problems developed in one-quarter of people given the higher of two doses being tested. Chloroquine and a similar drug, hydroxychloroquine, have been pushed by President Donald Trump after some early tests suggested the drugs might curb coronavirus entering cells.

    Heart woes spur partial stop of malaria drug study for virus

    A look at COVID-19 in depth for Canada and around the world

    COVID-19 measures and a rush on wills as well as globally how countries are tackling the CoronaVirus. 

    A look at COVID-19 in depth for Canada and around the world

    Busy weekend for small wildfires in B.C.

    The BC Wildfire Service lists the fire danger rating across most of the province as low to moderate but firefighters in several regions still had a busy Easter weekend.The wildfire service website shows crews responded to 11 blazes between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

    Busy weekend for small wildfires in B.C.

    Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The Lion of Punjab

    Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The Lion of Punjab
    He unified the warring chiefdoms of the Punjab into a powerful northern Empire of the Sikhs stretching to the borders of Afghanistan and Tibet

    Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The Lion of Punjab

    The Battle of Saragarhi

    The Battle of Saragarhi
    The Battle of Saragarhi was fought between 21 Sikhs soldiers of the 31st Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army, and about 10,000 Afghan tribesmen on September 12, 1897

    The Battle of Saragarhi

    What to know about malaria drug and coronavirus treatment

    Some politicians and doctors are sparring over whether to use hydroxychloroquine against the new coronavirus, with many scientists saying the evidence is too thin to recommend it now.

    What to know about malaria drug and coronavirus treatment

    PrevNext