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Tag: COVID19

  • N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 5 more deaths, 7,000 public sector employees unvaccinated

    N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 5 more deaths, 7,000 public sector employees unvaccinated

    Five more New Brunswickers have lost their lives to COVID-19, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced Friday.

    Four people in the Moncton region, Zone 1 – including two people 60-69, a person 70-79 and a person 80-89 – and a person 70-79 in the Campbellton region, Zone 5, have died.

    This pushes the province’s death toll to 106. Shephard said she is “saddened” by the news, calling each loss of life “incredibly difficult.”

    But she noted the “positive trend” of the 40 new cases of COVID-19 being outnumbered by the 67 recoveries — one she said she hopes will continue.

    Shephard also announced that about 7,000 of the government’s 59,500 employees have still not shown proof they’ve received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

    Although vaccination rates among public sector employees have increased by six per cent since mandatory vaccination was announced on Oct. 5 Shephard said she is troubled.

    “We simply cannot afford to have unvaccinated people working in New Brunswick’s public service. The potential risk to co-workers, patients, students and members of the public is too high,” she said.

    As of Saturday, those who have not received at least one dose won’t have enough time to meet the Nov. 19 deadline to be fully vaccinated because of the required 28 days between doses.

    “This means they will spend at least some time home from work without pay,” Shephard said.

    This will definitely have an impact on the public service, she said, noting the unvaccinated individuals are in all sectors, including payroll entry, front-line hospital workers and education staff.

    “But we have to have a steady line of understanding that this is very necessary for the protection of everyone.” said Shephard.

    A total of 83.3 per cent of New Brunswickers age 12 and older are now fully vaccinated, up from 83.1 on Thursday, and 92 per cent have received their first dose, up from 91.9.

    Shephard urged all public service employees who have not yet received a dose to book an appointment immediately to reduce the length of time they’ll be on unpaid leave.

    “I’m optimistic that after weighing the consequences, more people will choose to do the right thing.”

    Red alert extended for at least 1 week

    She made the comments during a news conference held to provide an update on the state of the health-care system.

    Fifty people are hospitalized because of the virus, down from 55 on Thursday, including 15 in intensive care, a decrease of one.

    Eleven people are on ventilators, including seven in Horizon Health Network hospitals and four in Vitalité Health Network hospitals.

    The province has an “ample” supply of ventilators, said Shephard.

    Dr. John Dornan, interim president and CEO of Horizon and Dr. France Desrosiers, president and CEO of Vitalité, announced the red alert level protocols for COVID-19 will be extended for at least another week.

    The red alert level protocols allow the regional health authorities to redeploy staff and reduce non-essential services to maintain emergency services and ICUs, caring for COVID-19 patients and those who are critically ill.

    Fourth wave struck with unexpected ‘intensity’

    Desrosiers said the fourth wave of the pandemic has struck “with an intensity that we have never forecasted.”

    An outbreak at the Campbellton Regional Hospital has resulted in 17 positive cases among patients, four of whom died,  and 37 infections among staff.

    Desrosiers said it clearly shows how one infection in a hospital can paralyze a facility. Speaking in French, she added that no new cases have been detected since Oct. 20.

    The outbreak was previously reported as being at the Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton, the province’s only dedicated mental health hospital. On Friday, Desrosiers told CBC the same medical team provides services at both hospitals.

    Across the network, 59 employees are off work, including 19 who tested have positive.

    About 2,000 digital imaging appointments and 515 elective surgeries have had to be postponed since Vitalité moved to the red alert phase Oct. 12, said Desrosiers.

    Last Wednesday alone, there were 55 New Brunswickers who “unfortunately will have to wait a little longer to get their surgery, surgery that they need in order to improve their health and their quality of life,” she said.

    “It is difficult for them and we are very aware of that.”

    On average, all Vitalité hospitals are operating above 100 per cent capacity.

    Vitalité has about 900 unvaccinated staff.

    The decision to move back to the orange or yellow level will be based on being able to manage the risk of community transmission and the capacity of human resources, Desrosiers said.

    ‘Proverbial Trojan horse’

    Dornan described the delta variant as a “proverbial Trojan horse.”

    “It enters our hospital in disguise, on the back of your hand, on your body when you are completely asymptomatic, and then you become positive and you spread it to a friend, or an inpatient, and they spread it to somebody else, and then they spread it to staff.”

    The hospitals need to break its access, he said, referring to visitor restrictions and limited support worker access.

    The number of cases connected to the outbreaks in the Moncton Hospital’s cancer and general surgery units remains at 14 patients and 11 staff, Dornan said. The outbreaks have resulted in reduced access to chemotherapy treatments and surgeries for some patients, he said.

    Asked for an update on a third outbreak on the hospital’s geriatric unit — Units 5100 and 5200 —  Dornan incorrectly told CBC an outbreak had not been declared.

    An outbreak was declared on Sept. 27. No new cases have been confirmed since Oct. 1, said Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid. The outbreak will be declared over after two viral cycles, each of 14 days, with no new cases, he said.

    The 40 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Friday are spread across five of the province’s seven health zones and put the total active case count at 731. (CBC)

    On Thursday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell revealed most of the then-23 fully vaccinated people hospitalized with COVID-19 contracted the virus after they were hospitalized for other reasons at the Moncton Hospital and Campbellton Regional Hospital.

    Asked what is being done to improve protocols to ensure such infections don’t continue, Dornan acknowledged when people go to the hospital, they “have some assurances that they’re safe, that they’re not going to get sicker.”

    “The infections in our hospitals were borne by visitors, by that Trojan horse,” he said, so limiting people from entering the hospital is key. Desrosiers, however, said it’s difficult to trace the index case in a hospital outbreak.

    They both said they’ve increased screening. Horizon also polls people twice a day about whether they’re experiencing COVID-related symptoms, said Dornan.

    In addition, it practises “very good droplet precaution, handwashing, masking religiously in all our units, and those manoeuvres already have reduced any further spread,” he said.

    Dornan said it was a small number of COVID patients who acquired the virus in hospital. The Moncton Hospital outbreak started with a patient who didn’t know they had COVID. The patient screened negatively and only developed symptoms later, he said.

    Across Horizon, a total of 113 “non-urgent” surgeries have been delayed or cancelled so far, he said, refusing to refer to them as “elective” surgeries, noting there is “no such thing.”

    “You don’t wake up and say, ‘I think I elect to have surgery today.’ Elective surgery just means that it does not need to be done within the next 24 or 48 hours.

    “And to be clear, while the term ‘elective’ is used, every single surgery is assessed, covered by our health-care system and is necessary.”

    Seventy-one of them have been in the Fredericton and Upper River Valley area, 42 in the Moncton area, and some in the Saint John area as well, even though it’s not a circuit breaker region, because the OR staff are needed in other units, he said.

    There’s no playbook for how we respond to COVID.– John Dornan, Horizon interim president and CEO

    In some cases, surgeries are postponed at the patients’ wishes because they’re nervous to go to the hospital during the red phase, Dornan said. Horizon has been at the red phase since Oct. 13.

    “We are always very concerned that … post red phases, people’s diseases progressed to the point that when they come back, it’s a more serious problem.”

    Most of Horizon’s hospitals are operating at over 90 per cent capacity. The ideal occupancy rate is about 85 per cent, he said.

    About 1,200 Horizon employees remain unvaccinated.

    “Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions with respect to all aspects of our hospital care. And this is a very sensitive process,” Dornan said.

    “We also have to weigh the risks and benefits of doing nothing. And generally speaking, that’s just untenable. There’s no playbook for how we respond to COVID.”

    Booster dose appointments for health-care workers now available

    Health-care personnel, including those working in long-term care facilities, can now book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine, Public Health announced Friday.

    Appointments can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy.

    Details on booster doses for other groups will be available in the “coming weeks,” according to a news release.

    Health-care workers are reminded to bring their immunization record with them to their appointment.

    Update on school sports and extracurricular activities

    School teams and extracurricular groups are now permitted to travel within New Brunswick, including in and out of circuit breaker communities, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced Friday.

    Students under the age of 12 in circuit breaker communities will also be able to resume school sports and extracurricular activities, following the Healthy and Safe School guidelines, she said. All these activities continue to be subject to guidance provided in the mandatory order.

    Spectators are allowed to attend school-related events that are held outside of school facilities, provided they show proof they are fully vaccinated and follow masking and physical distancing requirements, Shephard said.

    Starting Oct. 29, spectators will also be permitted to attend sports and extracurricular activities inside school buildings, provided they follow masking, physical distancing and “any other operational requirements set out by schools or districts,” she said.

    “All events will require the co-operation and support of families and community volunteers,” Shephard noted. “If schools are not able to find enough community volunteers to manage events, individual schools and school districts may choose not to allow spectators.”

    Breakdown of cases

    The 40 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Friday put the province’s total active case count at 731.

    Of the new cases, 29 – or 73 per cent – are unvaccinated, two – or five per cent – are partially vaccinated, and nine – or 22 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

    Of the 50 people hospitalized due to the virus, 25 are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and 22 are fully vaccinated.

    Of the 15 people in intensive care, 14 are unvaccinated and one is partially vaccinated.

    Here is a breakdown of the new cases:

    Moncton region, Zone 1, 25 cases:

    • 10 people 19 or under
    • Two people 20-29
    • Four people 30-39
    • Four people 50-59
    • Three people 60-69
    • A person 70-79
    • A person 80-89

    Twenty-four cases are under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

    Saint John region, Zone 2, three cases:

    • A person 20-29
    • A person 40-49
    • A person 60-69

    All three cases are under investigation.

    The Moncton Hospital has COVID-19 outbreaks in the cancer, geriatric and general surgery units. It’s a hospital ‘under duress,’ said Horizon’s interim president and CEO Dr. John Dornan. (CBC)

    Fredericton region, Zone 3, five cases:

    • Three people 19 or under
    • A person 20-29
    • A person 30-39

    All five cases are under investigation.

    Edmundston region, Zone 4, five cases:

    • A person 19 or under
    • A person 30-39
    • A person 50-59
    • Two people 60-69

    All five cases are under investigation.

    Campbellton region, Zone 5, two cases:

    One case is under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

    New Brunswick has had 6,072 confirmed cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic, with 5,234 recoveries so far.

    A total of 514,676 lab tests have been conducted to date, including 1,793 on Thursday.

    On Thursday, 9,471 rapid-test kits were distributed across the province, Public Health said.

    Sackville nursing home outbreak to be declared over

    A COVID-19 outbreak at Drew Nursing Home in Sackville is expected to be declared over Friday at midnight, according to an update the home sent to families Thursday night.

    The latest round of tests Tuesday found no new positive cases, the update states.

    The home is currently updating its visitation policy.

    “After this stressful experience with COVID 19, we will be taking a cautious approach to opening our doors.”

    Families will be contacted once the visitation rules are finalized, the update advises, thanking them for their patience and understanding throughout the “incredibly difficult situation.”

    The outbreak began Sept. 14, when it was announced the home was closed to visitors after a staff member tested positive.

    A total of 40 people have tested positive throughout the outbreak — 30 residents and 10 staff.

    Eight residents have died.

     A Parade of Heroes was scheduled to be held in the Drew parking lot Friday at 10 a.m. to thank the staff for their hard work during the outbreak.

    Saint John independent living apartment gets ‘all clear’

    Loch Lomond Villa in Saint John says visiting can resume in its three independent living apartment buildings after an outbreak of COVID-19 was declared in at least one of them a couple of weeks ago.

    “We have been given the ‘all clear’ by Public Health,” the Villa announced on Facebook Thursday.

    “Thank you for your patience while we worked to keep our tenants safe and healthy.”

    Building 3 (The Crossing) on 165 Loch Lomond Rd. was closed to visitors Oct. 8 due to a confirmed outbreak.

    Building 2 (The Cornerstone) on 219 Ellerdale St. and Building 1 (The Milestone) on 221 Ellerdale St. were closed to all visitors the same day as a precaution, the Villa had said.

    Visitors are reminded that all COVID protocols remain in place, including wearing a mask, physical distancing and frequent handwashing.

    New cases at 3 schools, 1 daycare

    Five new positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified at three schools, according to the COVID-19 dashboard.

    The schools where a case or cases have been confirmed include: École Anna-Malenfant and Birchmount School in the Moncton region, Zone 1, and École Grande-Rivière, in the Edmundston region, Zone 4.

    Forty-five schools are currently impacted

    A total of 375 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at 105 schools since the beginning of the school year.

    A new case has also been confirmed at Garderie Power Play in Dieppe in the Moncton region, Zone 1.

    People who have been in close contact with a confirmed case will be notified directly by Public Health or the facility for contact tracing, Public Health said in a news release.

    Since Sept. 7, 57 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

    Atlantic COVID roundup

    Nova Scotia reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the active caseload to 160. Fifteen people are hospitalized because of the virus, including four who are in intensive care.

    Newfoundland and Labrador reported 30 new cases over Thursday and Friday. There are now 62 active cases, and four people are in hospital.

    Prince Edward Island reported three new cases on Tuesday. The province has seven active cases.

    New public exposure notices

    The following are the new public exposures released by Public Health on Friday.

    Moncton region, Zone 1

    • Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 20 from 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Rocco’s Cucina (2814 Main St., Hillsborough)

    Edmundston region, Zone 4

    • Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Pizza Delight (180 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 and 15 from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. – Dejeuner AM Breakfast (1791 Main St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)

    Previous exposure notices

    The following are exposure notices from the past few weeks. For the full list beyond this time period, please visit the Government of New Brunswick’s website, which was redesigned and now clearly separates new exposure notices from previously reported exposure notices.

    Public Health has identified a case of COVID-19 in a traveller who may have been infectious while on the following flight:

    Moncton region, Zone 1

    • Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to noon – Caisse Populaire Sud-Est (1363 Route 133, Grand-Barachois)
    • Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon – Club Extenso Rhythmic Gymnastics (299 Champlain St., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 18 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Dieppe Aquatic and Sports Centre (111 Aquatique St., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Slapshots Family Sports Restaurant & Grill (55 Russ Howard Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 16 and 17 from 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Moncton Hospital Emergency Room waiting room (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 15 from noon to 12:30 p.m. – Boutique Recycl’Art and Antiques (149 John St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Bistro Le Chat Bleu (342 Route 940, Baie-Verte)
    • Between Oct. 10 and 14 – Headquarters Campground, Fundy National Park (11 Headquarters Campground Rd., Fundy National Park)
    • Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (1840 Main St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Wise Guyz Pub (176 Robinson St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (89 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Georges Dumont Hospital, Diagnostic Imaging Department (330 Université Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Spirit Halloween (169 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Gusto Italian Grill & Bar (130 Westmorland St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Tim Hortons (10 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
    • Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Tim Hortons (10 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
    • Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Pregnancy & Wellness Centre of Moncton (27 John St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and noon – Service New Brunswick, waiting room (766 Main St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 7 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Pseudio (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
    • Between Oct. 6 and 7 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Wingate by Wyndham (69 Marché Rd., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 6 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse (751 Main St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 6 between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pseudio (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.- Five Bridges Bar & Grill (121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
    • Oct. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Dr. Léon Richard Oncology Centre (37 Providence St. Moncton)
    • Oct. 4-6 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Club Boishebert de Shediac (322 Main St., Shediac)
    • Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – YMCA (70 Twin Oaks Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Cornerstone Chapel Moncton (11 York St., Berry Mills)
    • Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Hillsborough United Church (2891 Main St., Hillsborough)
    • Between Oct. 2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)

    Saint John region, Zone 2

    • Oct. 17 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – True Life Church (30 Vincent Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Boyd Bros. Home Hardware (9 Route 172, Saint George)
    • Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (175 Old Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Sobeys (140 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (212 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
    • Oct. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Brenan’s Paradise Row
    • ​Funeral Home (111 Paradise Row, Saint John)
    • Oct. 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (175 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill (175 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub (112 Prince William St., Saint John)
    • Oct. 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Thandi (33 Canterbury St., Saint John)
    • Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Kingston Farmer’s Market (4 Market Ln., Kingston)
    • Oct. 9 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – The Barrel’s Head Gastropub (141 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 9 between 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. – Drew & Jen’s No Frills (621 Fairville Blvd., Saint John)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (2 King St., St. Stephen)
    • Oct. 8 between 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. – East Side Mario’s (75 Consumers Dr., Saint John)
    • Oct. 8 between noon and 2:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire (250 King St., St. Stephen)
    • Oct. 8 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (195 King St., St. Stephen)
    • Oct. 8 between 6:45 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
    • Oct. 1 and 8 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
    • Oct. 2 to Oct. 7 between 6:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
    • Oct. 5, 6, and 7 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – McAllister Place (519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
    • Between Oct. 4 and 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
    • Oct. 7, between 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. – Hampton Community Centre rink (808 Main St., Hampton)
    • Oct. 7 between noon and 2 p.m. – Vogue Optical (20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
    • Oct. 6 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Vogue Optical (20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
    • Oct. 6, between noon and 3 p.m. – Dr. Luan Le’s Office (35 University Ave., Saint John)
    • Oct. 6, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
    • Oct. 6 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Herring Cove Pharmacy (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
    • Oct. 5 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 8th Hussars Sports Centre (8 Leonard Dr., Sussex)
    • Oct. 5, between 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Up to Par Restaurant (109 Upper Midland Rd., Norton)
    • Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
    • Oct. 5 between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Campobello Island Health Centre (640 Route 774, Welshpool)
    • Oct. 4 and 5 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Needs Convenience Store (89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 4, between 5:45 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. – Mac’s Island Market (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
    • Oct. 3 between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Vito’s Restaurant (111 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 3 between 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
    • Oct. 3 – Kings Church (332 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)

    Fredericton region, Zone 3

    • Oct. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. – 540 Kitchen & Bar (540 Queen St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 16 from 2:50 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. – Regent Mall (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Lincoln Big Stop Restaurant (415 Nevers Rd., Waasis)
    • Oct. 14 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Between Oct. 13 and 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Fredericton Inn (1315 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Cazza Petite (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Regent Mall (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – HomeSense (18 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – Home Hardware (115 Drummond St., Perth)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – BMR Besthome Hardware & Building Supplies (319 Centreville Rd., Florenceville-Bristol)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – Davesports (398 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Oct. 12 between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Oct. 10 between noon and 5 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 10 between 9 a.m. and noon – HopeCity (429 Clements Dr., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Starbucks (1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Taco Boys (10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Vape City (10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Sept. 14 to Oct. 7 – Tobique Valley Senior’s Complex (4 Manor Dr., Plaster Rock)
    • Oct. 7 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – East Side Mario’s (14 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Dollarama (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Walmart (1399 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Hanwell Village Mart (1761 Hanwell Rd., Hanwell)
    • Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – PJ’s Wings and Things (38 Main St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – York County Cider (38 Main St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 6 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Capital Community Church (71 Downing St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 6 between noon and 2 p.m. – Ken’s Barber Shop (240 Main St., Plaster Rock)Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
    • Oct. 5 between noon and 8 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Abony Family Tennis Centre (594 Knowledge Park Dr., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
    • Oct. 4 between 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. – Subway (18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
    • Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pond’s Resort on the Miramichi restaurant (91 Porter Cove Rd., Porter Cove)
    • Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
    • Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
    • Oct. 3 between 10:30 a.m. and noon – Sure Life Assembly (335 Otis Drive, Nackawic)
    • Oct. 3 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – G8Way Ultramar (22 Route 628, Penniac)
    • Oct. 3 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
    • Oct. 2-3 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – Quality Inn and Suites Amsterdam (559 Bishop Dr., Fredericton)

    Edmundston region, Zone 4

    • Oct. 19 from 11 a.m to 12:40 p.m. – Edmundston Regional Hospital, emergency room waiting room (275 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 16 from 8:45 a.m to 10 a.m.  – Edmundston Regional Hospital Emergency Room waiting room (275 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Grand Falls Big Stop (121 Route 255, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to noon – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Familiprix (131 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Familiprix (131 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13, 14, and 15 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Roger C. Ouellette (9 Godreau St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Saint André Recreation Centre (455 Route 255, Saint André)
    • Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (577 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Dollarama (15 Mowin St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Dollarama (787 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 14 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Loune’s Lounge (475 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 13 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Dollarama (787 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from noon to 1 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Canadian Tire (590 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Grand Falls General Hospital, Outpatient Waiting Room (625 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 13 from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – Dejeuner AM Breakfast (1791 Main St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – BMO (291 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – Toner Home Hardware (445 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – Dejeuner AM Breakfast (1791 Main St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 12 from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (160 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Clinic Physio Logic (182 High St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Edmundston Regional Hospital emergency department (275 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 and 13 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Casse Croute Caro (180 Hebert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 11 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 11 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 10 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 10 from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church (30 37e Ave., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Church of St. Anne (99 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
    • Oct. 9 between 11 p.m. and midnight – Bar Chez Wilma (500 Mgr Numa Pichette Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 9 between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Café Retro Bar (69 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 9 between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Casino Grey Rock (100 Chief Joanna Blvd., Saint Basile)
    • Oct. 9 between noon and 2 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 9 between noon and 2 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 9 from 6 a.m. to 7: 45 a.m. – Ultramar (555 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – Ultramar (555 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 8 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 7 from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – Ultramar (555 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 3 to Oct. 7 – Rodeway Inn (10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 7 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Supermarché Bonichoix (746 Main St., Saint Leonard)
    • Oct. 7 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Sports Experts (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Provincial Court, Carrefour Assomption (121 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Provincial Court – Carrefour Assomption (121 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 6-7 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 5 and 7 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Cyr Roy Machine Shop and Dépanneur (111 Martin Rd., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 6 between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Dollarama (15 Mowin St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 6 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Catholic Diocesan Centre (60 René-Bouchard Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 5 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Greco Pizza (10 Mahsus Crt., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls) 
    • Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Road, Unit #700, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 3 between 9:15 a.m. and 10 p.m. – St. George Church (226 St. Georges Rd., Grand Falls)

    Campbellton region, Zone 5

    • Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Dooly’s (81 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon – Le Grenier (312 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 16 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Dooly’s (81 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 15 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Le Grenier (312 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Naturiste (312 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Dooly’s (81 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Kent Building Supplies (15 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
    • Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire (384 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 12 and 13 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. – J.A. Epicerie 2000 Inc. (339 Main St., Eel River Crossing)
    • Oct. 12 and 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Boutique Daze (312 Val-D’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Kent Building Supplies (15 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
    • Oct. 6-8 – Clinique Vétérinaire Lépine (148 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
    • Oct. 7 between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Campbellton Regional Hospital, emergency department (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 6 between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Brasserie 1026 Bar & Grill (157 Water St., Campbellton)
    • Between Oct. 5 and 6 between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. – Campbellton Regional Hospital, emergency department (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 5-7 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB – Campbellton Campus (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 4 between 11:40 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. – Bonnie’s Tabata Fitness (1 Union St., Campbellton)
    • Between Oct. 1-6 – Campbellton Regional Hospital Med-Surg unit (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)

    Bathurst region, Zone 6

    • Oct. 8 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 8 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – House of Lee (315 Main St., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 8 between 9:50 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. – Marshalls (700 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Sobeys (1125 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 5 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Dixie Lee Restaurant (49 St-Pierre Blvd. W., Caraquet)
    • Oct. 4 between noon and 1 p.m. – L’Entracte Resto Pub (3394 Principale St., Tracadie)
    • Oct. 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)

    Miramichi region, Zone 7

    • Oct. 10 between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (188 King St., Miramichi)
    • Oct. 5 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Downtown Beauty Salon (1706 Water St., Miramichi) 
    • Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Harvey’s (2470 King George Highway, Miramichi)

    Public Health recommends that people who have been at a possible public exposure site and are not fully vaccinated get a COVID test, even if they don’t have symptoms. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811.

    If they do have symptoms, they must isolate while they await their results.

    For people who are fully vaccinated, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID test if symptoms develop.

    Anyone who frequented the locations at the specified dates and times should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters, for the next 14 days.

    What to do if you have a symptom

    People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment test online.

    Public Health says symptoms of the illness have included a fever above 38 C, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, a new onset of fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

    In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

    People with one of those symptoms should stay at home, call 811 or their doctor and follow instructions.

  • Northern Health COVID-19 Update for Oct. 20 2021

    Northern Health COVID-19 Update for Oct. 20 2021

    There have been 191 new circumstances of COVID-19 documented in Northern Health and fitness right now (Oct. 20) and there are now 864 active cases in the region.

    There are also currently 72 folks hospitalized for COVID-19 the Northern Overall health Authority like 20 individuals in vital care.

    No fatalities happened in Northern Health today, but six new deaths were being claimed in other places in B.C.

    The province is also reporting 696 new conditions of COVID-19 and 4,888 active circumstances. Of the energetic situations 370 persons are in clinic throughout the province and 139 are in intensive treatment. The remaining people today are recovering at residence in self-isolation.

    There is also a whole of 24 active health care facility outbreaks such as two outbreaks at the College Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George, the GR Baker Memorial Medical center in Quesnel and Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton.

    The province is reporting that from Oct. 12-18, men and women not entirely vaccinated accounted for 67.2 for every cent of situations and from Oct. 5-18, they accounted for 74.9 for each cent of hospitalizations.

    New community well being orders were being declared in the Northern Health and fitness Area on Oct. 14 and stay in place right up until Nov. 19.

    In response to these orders the Town of Prince George made the following variations:

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    • Aquafit Courses at the Prince George Aquatic Centre are now cancelled.

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    • The quantity of participants authorized to stroll on the CN Centre concourse as portion of the general public going for walks system has been minimized from 75 to 50.

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    • User groups, these types of as the Prince George Cougars, building use of civic services and arenas are needed to have their personal Covid-19 safety plan that involves vaccine passport checks. Attendance at the amenities is capped at 50 per cent.

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    “The well being of our citizens is of paramount significance to the Town of Prince George,” stated Mayor Lyn Hall.

    “We are continuing to do the job with Northern Wellness to make certain we are in demanding compliance with all Community Overall health Orders. We also keep on to be thoroughly dedicated to having any important steps to ensure our staff members and our citizens are protected and healthy.”

    The new orders in the Northern Wellness area are as follows:

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    • Own gatherings, equally indoor and outside, are restricted to completely vaccinated persons, including at personal residences and family vacation accommodation&#13
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      • Indoor accumulating: up to 5 people today are permitted

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      • Outside collecting: up to 25 people are permitted

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    • All indoor and outside structured functions demand a basic safety program and for attendees to don a mask and current their BC Vaccine Card demonstrating they are fully vaccinated&#13
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      • Indoor event: up to 50 people are permitted

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      • Outdoor party: up to 100 people today are permitted

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    • Worship services: digital services are essential

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    • Dining places:&#13
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      • Fast-foods restaurants and unlicensed cafés devoid of desk company can deliver consider-out only or involve patrons to existing the BC Vaccine card showing they are entirely vaccinated.

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      • Certified establishments and people with table services should not serve alcohol among 10 p.m.-9 a.m. and ought to involve patrons to present the BC Vaccine Card demonstrating they are totally vaccinated.

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      • Bars and nightclubs (no food company) will be shut

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    • Sport occasions spectators (indoor and out of doors) are limited to 50 for every cent capacity, need to have a basic safety strategy, and require attendees to have on masks and existing their BC Vaccine Card demonstrating they are thoroughly vaccinated

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  • COVID-19: How Thailand is using a ‘cheap and effective’ traditional herbal medicine to treat coronavirus | World News

    COVID-19: How Thailand is using a ‘cheap and effective’ traditional herbal medicine to treat coronavirus | World News

    In Thailand’s fields, convicted criminals have a tendency to a important crop.

    In the blazing sunlight, in neon orange tops, they bend and scrape, painstakingly weeding the ground about neat traces of darkish green crops.

    They’re rising eco-friendly chiretta (Andrographis paniculate) – or Fah talai jone, as it’s called in Thailand.

    Chainat jail is using the herbal remedy to treat prisoners
    Graphic:
    Chainat jail is utilizing the natural solution to take care of prisoners

    It truly is a regular natural drugs normally used in Thai households to deal with colds, but it is now participating in a central role in the country’s fight towards COVID-19.

    “Its attributes assist to minimize fever and coughing,” one particular of the prisoners tells me.

    In jail for medicine offences, the 31-calendar year-previous is now tasked with harvesting a plant which has been applied to address a lot more than 69,000 other offenders with coronavirus.

    “I sense happy to be searching after these Thai herbs that are applied to enable overcome prisoners who have COVID,” he says.

    Immediately after his group snips and gathers all the experienced stems, the plant is dried and floor by a different group.

    The dark environmentally friendly powder is then packed into capsules in advance of becoming delivered to other prisons close by.

    Jail medic Chitsanuphong Saublaongiw believes the traditional tablet successfully eased mild symptoms
    Image:
    Jail medic Chitsanuphong Saublaongiw believes the traditional tablet successfully eased gentle signs

    In July, Thailand’s cabinet authorised environmentally friendly chiretta for use in people today with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus bacterial infections adhering to a effective trial in prisons.

    The govt statements that out of 11,800 inmates who took it to address coronavirus, 99.02{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} recovered.

    A handful of miles down the highway from exactly where the vegetation are currently being harvested, Chainat jail is a person of these working with the organic treatment.

    Somsak Thepsuthin, Thailand's Minister of Justice, says the medicine is 'expensive and effective'
    Picture:
    Somsak Thepsuthin, Thailand’s minister of justice, says the drugs is ‘inexpensive and effective’

    For the duration of an outbreak of COVID-19 in August, far more than 700 inmates took 15 products a day for five times.

    Team say all of them recovered.

    Jail medic Chitsanuphong Saublaongiw believes the traditional tablet was effective in easing gentle signs or symptoms.

    Poj, an inmate at Chainat jail, says his COVID symptoms 'reduced' after he took green chiretta
    Impression:
    Poj, an inmate at Chainat jail, claims his COVID indications ‘reduced’ soon after he took eco-friendly chiretta

    “From the research, eco-friendly chiretta has a substance identified as andrographolide, which is the material that aids restrict the unfold of the virus,” he describes.

    “Soon after having green chiretta, the prisoners had far better upper body X-ray final results, much less signs or symptoms, the sickness was much less extreme, and they returned to usual quickly,” he provides.

    “Asymptomatic patients failed to develop any critical symptoms.”

    Capules - green chiretta
    Image:
    Critics say a lot more testing is wanted to prove environmentally friendly chiretta’s efficacy from COVID-19

    Typically overcrowded and cramped, the virus has spread swiftly in Thailand’s jails.

    All over a quarter of the country’s prisoners examined constructive in the six months from April 2021.

    Intense infections are continue to handled with antivirals or healthcare facility treatment, but low-priced and obtainable environmentally friendly chiretta has provided Thailand an alternative solution for those people in the early levels of COVID-19 at a time when the state has been tackling a surge in situations with Healthy Lifestyle.

    Anon prisoner interviewed
    Picture:
    Prisoners convey to Sky Information they are proud to be harvesting inexperienced chiretta

    “In prisons, we snooze near to each and every other, so we can not [social] length,” states Poj, one of those people presented the tablet at Chainat jail.

    His name has been modified to protect his id.

    “I experienced a significant fever, then following getting environmentally friendly chiretta, the fever decreased,” he describes. “[My] sore throat and cough also lessened when I took environmentally friendly chiretta for five days.”

    Some 141 jails close to the country now program to produce 38 million inexperienced chiretta tablets by November. They are going to be made use of to treat more inmates.

    view of what the plant looks like
    Impression:
    Authorities say the plant is made up of a material termed andrographolide which allows restrict the distribute of the virus

    The authorities has also been trialling the cure in some hospitals and is encouraging 24,000 villages to improve the crop, so they have provides.

    “If we use present day drugs, the charge is 20 periods, 30 periods, 50 instances greater… and in the prisons, it truly is quite crowded,” Somsak Thepsuthin, Thailand’s minister of justice, tells me at a chiretta function in Bangkok.

    “We should have this to treat individuals. If it really is a delicate illness, we can use this medicine, as it is really affordable and effective.”

    But environmentally friendly chiretta just isn’t a silver bullet to treatment the entire world of COVID-19.

    green chiretta being produced
    Picture:
    Environmentally friendly chiretta is ordinarily made use of to handle colds but is now getting made as a COVID cure

    Thai authorities have only cleared it for use in gentle circumstances – it will not end you from acquiring the virus, and it is just not a substitute for a vaccine.

    The Planet Health Organisation’s record of suggested prescription drugs to deal with coronavirus won’t mention the organic remedy.

    Critics in Thailand say extra tests is required to prove its efficacy.

    “Andrographolide is referred to as a material discovered in eco-friendly chiretta that aids suppress viruses and swelling,” suggests associate professor Dr Mayuree Tangkiatkumjai, of the department of medical pharmacy at Srinakharinwirot University.

    “Even so, COVID-19 is however a new rising infectious ailment, so there is no sufficient study to verify that inexperienced chiretta can stop and remedy COVID-19 nonetheless.”

    The powder is turned into capsules
    Picture:
    Two more trials of eco-friendly chiretta involving COVID-19 clients with moderate signs are getting performed on 1,400 persons

    When she supports people today with colds using it at dwelling, this is no substitution for antivirals in intense coronavirus scenarios.

    “The suited quantity of andrographolide for individuals is nevertheless debatable, and it however needs further experiments to confirm its efficacy and side results,” Dr Tangkiatkumjai provides.

    Two a lot more trials of eco-friendly chiretta involving COVID-19 patients with delicate indicators are becoming executed on 1,400 men and women, with preliminary benefits owing up coming spring.

    Though Thailand has also been investing in revolutionary coronavirus vaccines and antivirals, green chiretta, a classic organic pill, has a new role in preventing a modern-day pandemic.

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  • Tuberculosis deaths rise for the first time in more than a decade due to the COVID-19 pandemic

    Tuberculosis deaths rise for the first time in more than a decade due to the COVID-19 pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of global progress in tackling tuberculosis and for the first time in over a decade, TB deaths have increased, according to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global TB report.

    In 2020, more people died from TB, with far fewer people being diagnosed and treated or provided with TB preventive treatment compared with 2019, and overall spending on essential TB services falling.

    The first challenge is disruption in access to TB services and a reduction in resources. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from tackling TB to the COVID-19 response, limiting the availability of essential services.

    The second is that people have struggled to seek care in the context of lockdowns.

    “This report confirms our fears that the disruption of essential health services due to the pandemic could start to unravel years of progress against tuberculosis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is alarming
    news that must serve as a global wake-up call to the urgent need for investments and innovation to close the gaps in diagnosis, treatment and care for the millions of people affected by this ancient but preventable and treatable disease.”

    TB services are among many others disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but the impact on TB has been particularly severe.

    For example, approximately, 1.5 million people died from TB in 2020 (including 214 000 among HIV positive people).

    The increase in the number of TB deaths occurred mainly in the 30 countries with the highest burden of TB[1]. WHO modelling projections suggest the number of people
    developing TB and dying from the disease could be much higher in 2021 and 2022.

    Challenges with providing and accessing essential TB services have meant that many people with TB were not diagnosed in 2020. The number of people newly diagnosed with TB and those reported to national governments fell from 7.1 million in 2019 to
    5.8 million in 2020.

    WHO estimates that some 4.1 million people currently suffer from TB but have not been diagnosed with the disease or have not officially reported to national authorities. This figure is up from 2.9 million in 2019.

    The countries that contributed most to the global reduction in TB notifications between 2019 and 2020 were India (41{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}), Indonesia (14{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}), the Philippines (12{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) and China (8{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}). These and 12 other countries accounted for 93{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of the total global drop in notifications.

    There was also a reduction in provision of TB preventive treatment. Some 2.8 million people accessed this in 2020, a 21{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reduction since 2019.  In addition, the number of people treated for drug-resistant TB fell by 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, from 177 000 in 2019
    to 150 000 in 2020, equivalent to only about 1 in 3 of those in need.

    Global investment for TB falls

    Funding in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for 98{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of reported TB cases remains a challenge. Of the total funding available in 2020, 81{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} came from domestic sources, with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India,
    China and South Africa) accounting for 65{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of total domestic funding.

    The largest bilateral donor is the Government of the United States of America. The biggest international donor is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

    The report notes a fall in global spending on TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention services, from US$ 5.8 billion to US$ 5.3 billion, which is less than half of the global target for fully funding the TB response of US$ 13 billion annually by 2022.
     

    Meanwhile, although there is progress in the development of new TB diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, this is constrained by the overall level of R&D investment, which at US$ 0.9 billion in 2019 falls far short of the global target of US$ 2 billion
    per year.

    Global TB targets off track

    Reversals in progress mean that the global TB targets are off track and appear increasingly out of reach, however there are some successes.  Globally, the reduction in the number of TB deaths between 2015 and 2020 was only 9.2{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} – about one
    quarter of the way to the 2020 milestone of 35{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.

    Globally, the number of people falling ill with TB each year (relative to population) dropped 11{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} from 2015 to 2020, just over half-way to the 2020 milestone of 20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.

    However, the WHO European Region exceeded the 2020 milestone, with a reduction of 25{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}. This was mostly driven by the decline in the Russian Federation, where incidence fell by 6{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} per year between 2010 to 2020. The WHO African Region came close to reaching
    the milestone, with a reduction of 19{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, which reflects impressive reductions of 4–10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} per year in South Africa and  several other countries in southern Africa, following a peak in the HIV epidemic and the expansion of TB and HIV prevention
    and care.  

    “We have just one year left to reach the historic 2022 TB targets committed by Heads of State at the first UN High Level Meeting on TB. The report provides important information and a strong reminder to countries to urgently fast-track their TB
    responses and save lives,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “This will be crucial as preparations begin for the 2nd UN High Level Meeting on TB mandated for 2023.”

    The report calls on countries to put in place urgent measures to restore access to essential TB services. It further calls for a doubling of investments in TB research and innovation as well as concerted action across the health sector and others to address
    the social, environmental and economic determinants of TB and its consequences.

    The new report features data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic from 197 countries and areas, including 182 of the 194 World Health Organization (WHO) Member States.

     

    Note to the editor

    Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern, WHO’s Global TB Programme has monitored the impact of the pandemic on TB services and provided guidance and support.

    Global targets

    In 2014 and 2015, all Member States of WHO and the UN adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s End TB Strategy. The SDGs and End TB Strategy both include targets and milestones for large reductions in TB incidence, TB deaths
    and costs faced by TB patients and their households.

    The WHO End TB Strategy aims for a 90 per cent reduction in TB deaths and an 80 per cent reduction in the TB incidence rate by 2030, compared to the 2015 baseline. Milestones for 2020 include a 20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reduction in the TB incidence rate and a 35{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reduction
    in TB deaths.

    The UN Political Declaration on TB also included 4 new targets for the period 2018-2022:

    • Treat 40 million people for TB disease
    • Reach at least 30 million people with TB preventive treatment for a latent TB infection
    • Mobilize at least US$13 billion annually for universal access to TB diagnosis, treatment and care
    • Mobilize at least US$2 billion annually for TB research

    TB facts

    Tuberculosis (TB), the second (after COVID- 19) deadliest infectious killer, is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. It can spread when people who are sick with TB expel bacteria into the air – for example,
    by coughing.

    Approximately 90 percent of those who fall sick with TB each year live in 30 countries. Most people who develop the disease are adults –in 2020 – men accounted for 56{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of all TB cases, adult women accounted for 33{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} and children for 11{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}. Many new
    cases of TB are attributable to five risk factors: undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, smoking and diabetes.

    TB is preventable and curable. About 85{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of people who develop TB disease can be successfully treated with a 6-month drug regimen; treatment has the added benefit of curtailing onward transmission of infection.

    [1] 30 countries with the highest burden of TB include: Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Democratic People’s Republic
    of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, United Republic
    of Tanzania, Viet Nam and Zambia.

     

  • FUTURE Talks: An Interview with nVoq

    FUTURE Talks: An Interview with nVoq

    This post is introduced to you by nVoq. This interview took location during a live Q&A session with nVoq’s Senior Director of Post-Acute Product sales, Jason Financial institutions, at the HHCN Upcoming function in Chicago held on September 30, 2021. The interview has been edited for clarity, Home Garden USA.

    Home Overall health Treatment News: Jason, previously right now we talked about the operational side of operating a significant submit-acute service provider. For the far better aspect of two a long time, this has been your encounter. What do you see as some of the major trends influencing dwelling health and your clients in the following few of many years?

    Jason Banking companies: Specially now with COVID, there are three main themes in a ton of the shows that we go to, and in our conversations with possible providers or clientele. I imagine the workforce lack is initial and foremost on a ton of the providers’ minds.

    The next factor is regulatory, and the regulatory stress that will come alongside with functioning a post-acute treatment firm, and we’ll speak much more about that, but it is considerable. Then, the 3rd is the change to worth-dependent care. We’ll listen to a ton about this all all through the working day — the clinic, the home, ER diversion, SNF-at-property and all the other models and flavors coming out.

    It would seem like overnight, I was just entering into put up-acute care, and now I have been in the field for more than 20 several years. We have been conversing about, “Hey, we can in all probability do a lot more with these remarkable men and gals that go to people’s properties and just take care of them.” It’s amazing that write-up-acute treatment has grow to be the taste of the day when it arrives to offering care for continual care management, stop-of-lifetime treatment and those kinds of factors in the dwelling.

    Above the past 7 years, I have been imagining about, “What are some of the root will cause of these chances or challenges that providers are dealing with?” One particular of the root triggers or prevalent threads all through are the documentation prerequisites or the challenges affiliated with documentation. Clinicians are expending amongst 30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} to 50{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of their time documenting.

    If you have observed other environments or explored house treatment and hospice outside of the U.S., you’ve likely identified that the selection drastically decreases for numerous reasons, no matter whether regulatory compliance or other elements. You’ll also discover that the treatment actually is amazing in those environments, the clients are content and the clinicians are pleased.

    A widespread topic that’s been running by my head for perfectly above a decade now is, “How do we get to palms-cost-free documentation?” chiseling absent at some of the issues clinicians are undertaking that really don’t include worth to the affected individual expertise — which is what nVoq does. nVoq is speech-to-text at a 30,000-foot amount, but deep beneath the handles, we’re addressing alternatives these vendors are encountering on a every day foundation with income optimization and earning certain that they’re recruiting and retaining the proper talent.

    I got the cell phone call from Chris Moran, who’s in the audience, and Debbi Gillotti, our COO, about 6 months back, and they stated, “Hey, we’re getting curiosity from these article-acute care providers all over bringing speech-to-textual content to not just the physicians, but also to the frontline clinicians supplying care. The interest is across the board from massive providers, medium, compact companies, nonprofit, for-profit, hospital-based mostly, non-hospital based mostly. We imagine there’s one thing in this article, would you be interested in checking out this?” I stated, “Absolutely. This is accurately what I imagine the field requires.”

    HHCN: That is great. A single of the themes a ton of our purchasers are talking to us about as properly is that shift to price-primarily based care I simply call it every little thing at-property. Converse to us about how you men are positioning what you do in conditions of value-based care from a risk standpoint, and how you are laying the groundwork for price-based care in the extensive phrase.

    Banking institutions: I was told not to say what I’m about to say, but I’m likely to say it in any case in my legitimate mother nature. Some of the people who have labored with me in the past will think this is amusing mainly because I have stated this for a even though. Article-acute, above the earlier 20 many years that I’ve been associated, is related to AA, Alcoholics Nameless. This means, I’ve in no way fulfilled any person going to submit-acute treatment that claimed, “I had a amazing working day. I require submit-acute care.” It’s, “I had a seriously bad working day.” Often the worst day of their lives.

    If medical professionals come in and convey to them there’s absolutely nothing much more they can do and they require to search for out hospice care, it is at times the worst working day of their life. I’ve equated it to AA for the previous five or six a long time in that you have to have a little something bad to come about to go to publish-acute care. Why does it have to be that way? Loads of men and women are dwelling with chronic treatment conditions who can be serviced to prevent people acute events from taking place. In purchase to do that, those people companies will need to operate at the greatest degree of their licensure.

    Advisable HHCN+ Exclusives

    You need to have to have cross-self-control features inside of the home to make confident you’re addressing every little thing from the bodily requirements to the non secular and emotional requirements, to the social determinants of overall health. I often chat about affected person tax. Patient tax, in my head, is anything at all that doesn’t increase value to the client encounter. In value-dependent treatment and the at-dwelling models, the medical center-at-residence, the ER diversion, the SNF-at-house versions — you are seeing a great deal of these affected person taxes being removed.

    Client tax, in my brain, would be doubled documentation. I had the satisfaction of serving in a hospice and palliative treatment organization here in Chicago. I ran the business for about two and a 50 {fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} decades. We would have our nurses documenting two or three occasions in a solitary take a look at. Did it increase value to the individual or loved ones? Completely not. Was it regulatory-compliant? Certainly. There are a thousand of all those points across any service provider organization that you can strip out of the procedure. And by new innovative programs, you will see much more businesses strip people out of the method and include worth to the affected individual expertise.

    HHCN: Let’s commit a moment talking about that regulatory natural environment mainly because it’s transforming. With COVID and the pandemic, new matters have appear about and we’ve experienced some independence and adaptability in specified parts. What does that seem like for you going ahead, and how does that effect companies now?

    Banking institutions: I study an AMA post that reported hospitals have about 96 steady finding out points (CLPs) when article-acute has 288, and they have to comply with all the other complex needs linked with information stability, HIPAA compliance and every thing else. When you are supplying either at-property treatment or treatment in a facility location, there are so a lot of regulatory requirements to take into consideration.

    1 of the points we’re hunting to do is alleviate some of that stress of the regulatory prerequisites by letting the clinicians to be with the individual to choose treatment of them. Then, we’re in fact taking some of those people parts of regulatory compliance off their hands and saying, “Hey here’s anything you could want to add to the note that is both regulatory compliant or likely to include to the individual encounter.” Which is one particular of the issues that we do with nVoq as properly.

    HHCN: Let us converse about workforce shortages. I consider which is permeating into almost everything we include nationwide. How can your voice tech help clinicians and frontline team battle the scarcity concern?

    Banking institutions: This is likely one particular of the strongest worth propositions, albeit not the only for nVoq, but it is a single we’re laser-focused on. At the starting, we talked about three main challenges that vendors are facing with workforce lack, regulatory compliance and the change towards price-based mostly care. The workforce shortage is selection a single, two and a few. You have outstanding leaders in this place that have different degrees of participation in, “How do we remedy for that workforce lack?”

    Factors like choosing. I know there are a variety of corporations in the place that can enable you find and stand out amongst prospective recruits. There are also signal-on bonuses, hiring bonuses, referral bonuses, retention bonuses, increased pay back and cultural points you can do as a company. All those all perform a element, but I consider there’s an fundamental problem with the workforce lack.

    That is, why do clinicians leave companies? Why do they decide on companies? What’s distinct about home overall health and hospice from other configurations they might observe in? A single of the issues I consider a good deal about is, “Why do clinicians find property overall health and hospice as a occupation?” One particular issue jumps correct out to me, and it is that they desire relationships. They like associations with the client and spouse and children about transactional care.

    Once more, the popular thread which is a barrier to relationships are the documentation needs. If they are spending 30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} to 50{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of their time documenting, either because of regulatory specifications or other explanations, and the full explanation they obtained into write-up-acute treatment in the to start with place was because of that romantic relationship ingredient, that is what is driving them out.

    I’ve noticed that in exit interviews in excess of and around and above once more. “We’re leaving mainly because of the documentation demands. We’re leaving due to the fact of the regulatory burden. We’re not leaving due to the fact of the group, and we’re not leaving due to the fact we never care for clients or families.” These are extraordinary adult men and women of all ages serving our principally elderly population. We’re laser-targeted on assuaging that documentation load for them.

    HHCN: I have just one last issue for you. A person of the matters I like to study about is engineering. Amazon just came out with some new Alexa gadgets and Siri is permeating every little thing that we do. How do you see the proliferation of buyer voice tech have an effect on these who are doing the job with your computer software today?

    Financial institutions: I believe it is great simply because I use voice tech in my personal home. We have Alexa in the home today. I use an Iphone, so I use Siri especially when I’m in a cellular setting in which I want to shoot a quick text or a thing like that. When I’m riding in the passenger seat and I want to shoot a quick textual content, I’ll use voice-to-textual content. We’re viewing that capacity far more and a lot more, and I feel it’s heading to grow to be 2nd mother nature for these clinicians.

    This write-up is sponsored by nVoq. nVoq Integrated delivers a HIPAA and PCI-DSS compliant, cloud-primarily based speech recognition system supporting a wide wide range of health care shipping scenarios which includes put up-acute treatment with an emphasis on property health care and hospice. nVoq’s speech recognition answers convert speech to textual content in seconds and are hugely accurate for most health-related specialties. To learn extra, stop by sayit.nVoq.com

    Visit : https://homegardenusa.com/

  • COVID-19 live updates: AHS responds to over 3,000 health measure complaints; U.S. will open to travellers immunized with approved vaccines; health-care sector bracing for staff shortages

    COVID-19 live updates: AHS responds to over 3,000 health measure complaints; U.S. will open to travellers immunized with approved vaccines; health-care sector bracing for staff shortages

    Watch this page throughout the day for updates on COVID-19 in Edmonton

    Author of the article:

    Postmedia News

    Publishing date:

    Oct 11, 2021  •  2 days ago  •  9 minute read  •  10 Comments

    A pedestrian, wearing a protective COVID-19 face mask, makes their way along 109 Street near 82 Avenue, in Edmonton Tuesday Aug. 31, 2021. Photo by David Bloom
    A pedestrian, wearing a protective COVID-19 face mask, makes their way along 109 Street near 82 Avenue, in Edmonton Tuesday Aug. 31, 2021. Photo by David Bloom Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

    COVID-19 news happens rapidly, we have created this file to keep you up-to-date on all the latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Edmonton.

    What’s happening now

    Share your COVID-19 stories

    As Alberta grapples with a fourth wave of COVID-19 at the start of another school year, we’re looking to hear your stories on this evolving situation.

    • Have you or a loved one had a surgery rescheduled or cancelled in recent weeks?
    • Are you someone who has decided to get vaccinated after previously being skeptical of the vaccines?
    • Have you changed your mind about sending your children back to school in person?
    • Have you enrolled your children in a private school due to COVID-19?
    • Are you a frontline health-care worker seeing new strains on the health system?
      Send us your stories via email at [email protected]

    1:33 p.m.

    Alberta Health Services responds to more than 3,000 COVID-19 health measure complaints

    Anna Junker

    The Alberta Health Services building in Calgary, Feb. 24, 2021.
    The Alberta Health Services building in Calgary, Feb. 24, 2021. Photo by Brendan Miller/Postmedia

    Alberta Health Services has received more than 3,000 COVID-19 related complaints or requests in recent weeks.

    The calls have come in between Sept. 16 and Oct. 5, said spokesman Kerry Williamson. They include requests from the public asking for AHS Environmental Public Health (EPH) to check if businesses, facilities, operators or events are complying with current COVID-19 public health measures, including masking, capacity and gathering limits, and compliance with the Restrictions Exemption Program.

    “If AHS is made aware of a complaint, Public Health Inspectors carry out an education or advisory role as an initial step when responding. AHS does not issue tickets or fines,” Williamson said.

    “The goal of AHS’ Safe Healthy Environments team is to protect the health and safety of the Albertans. AHS Public Health Inspectors always seek to work collaboratively with businesses and organizations to ensure compliance with CMOH orders and current public health measures.”

    Read more

    11:52 a.m.

    U.S will open to travellers immunized with vaccines approved by WHO, FDA and CDC

    The Canadian Press

    A U.S. and a Canadian flag flutter at the Canada-United States border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge, in Lansdowne, Ont., Sept. 28, 2020.
    A U.S. and a Canadian flag flutter at the Canada-United States border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge, in Lansdowne, Ont., Sept. 28, 2020. Photo by Lars Hagberg /Reuters

    The United States will accept international travellers immunized with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the decision today in an email and said more guidance will be provided as requirements are finalized.

    White House officials said last month the U.S. would begin welcoming fully vaccinated international travellers in November, but they did not say which vaccines would be accepted.

    The news means Canadians immunized with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be able to travel to the U.S. when new travel rules come into play next month.

    The AstraZeneca vaccine is approved by the World Health Organization, but not by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The CDC says it began informing airlines of its decision last week.

    Sunday

    Canada’s overworked health-care sector brace for staff shortages as vaccine mandates loom

    National Post

    An ICU team helping to intubate a patient suffering from COVID-19 at Humber River Hospital in Toronto.
    An ICU team helping to intubate a patient suffering from COVID-19 at Humber River Hospital in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston / AFP

    Canada’s health and long-term care industries are bracing for staff shortages and layoffs, as deadlines for vaccine mandates loom across the country with unions pushing federal and provincial governments to soften hard-line stances.

    For hospitals and nursing homes, a shortage of workers would strain the already overburdened workforce dealing with nearly two years of the pandemic.

    The uncertainty sparked by vaccine mandates underscores the challenges on the road to recovery. Devon Greyson, assistant professor of public health at the University of British Columbia, said officials are steering into uncharted waters with mass vaccine mandates and it’s not clear how workers will respond.

    “A shortage of workers can mean people’s health and well being. It’s scary,” Greyson said.

    However, he added, “we’re in an ethical situation where it’s also scary not to ensure that all health workers are vaccinated. So it’s a bit of a catch-22.”

    To tackle staff scarcity, at least one province is offering signing bonuses to nurses. Provinces including Quebec and British Columbia have made it mandatory for healthcare workers and nursing staff to be vaccinated to continue working in their respective fields.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also unveiled one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the world last week, saying unvaccinated federal employees will be sent on unpaid leave and making COVID-19 shots mandatory for air, train, and ship passengers.

    Layoffs have already started to hit, with one hospital in southern Ontario last week dumping 57 employees, representing 2.5 per cent of staff, after its vaccine mandate came into effect. A long-term care home in Toronto put 36 per cent of its staff on unpaid leave after they refused to get vaccinated, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp reported.

    Sign up for our COVID newsletter:

    https://edmontonjournal.com/newsletters/

    Letter of the day

    Covid-19 forces Captain Jason Kenney to walk the plank. (Cartoon by Malcolm Mayes)
    Covid-19 forces Captain Jason Kenney to walk the plank. (Cartoon by Malcolm Mayes) Malcolm Mayes

    It’s not surprising that Premier Kenney wants to take Alberta children back to the 19th century by making rote learning central to the curriculum. He is a rote thinker, apparently capable of only two ideas — low taxes and incentives for business — which are basically just one idea. He constantly parrots his one idea that everything else is secondary to business, and that more business is the solution to every problem. This blinkered thinking partially explains the current mess our province is in.

    With three grandchildren between the ages of four and nine, I am extremely concerned that children between five and nine are now increasingly contracting COVID, due to the government’s shortsighted decision to end contact tracing in schools and elsewhere. I am continually amazed at how my grandchildren have rolled with all the shocks and changes of the past year and a half, although who knows what the long-term effects on the mental and physical health of any of us will be. Children don’t need to memorize facts. They need to learn how to access facts in order to acquire knowledge and ideas, so they can become developed human beings and critical thinkers. I suggest that Premier Kenney take a break from politics, go back to school, and finish off that philosophy degree. He could come up with some new and useful ideas relevant to the 21st century.

    K.D. Grove, Edmonton

    Read more letters to the editor

    Letters Welcome

    We invite you to write letters to the editor. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don’t publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email: [email protected]

    Saturday

    Pregnant patients can bring COVID-19-positive person for support while giving birth at Alberta hospitals

    Lauren Boothby

    The Alberta government is urging pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
    The Alberta government is urging pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Postmedia Wire

    Maternity patients giving birth in Alberta hospitals can bring a person infected with COVID-19 with them for support, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said in a series of tweets Saturday afternoon.

    AHS confirmed an exemption to quarantine rules allows a COVID-19 positive person to join a pregnant patient in exceptional circumstances and if the hospital is made aware ahead of time. A chief medical officer of health order in effect since July 29 says this designated support person must stay two metres away from everyone except the patient and infant.

    “These exemptions, which have been in effect since July 2021, are granted under exceptional circumstances and only at the request of the patient giving birth. We know the importance of having support at this time. This is a critical part of our approach to patient centred care,” reads an AHS tweet.

    Despite this, the provincial health authority says there are protocols in place to make sure people are safe.

    “The patient & essential support person will remain under contact & droplet isolation. This includes the facility providing access to bathroom facilities & food,” AHS says.

    Read more

    Saturday

    Alcohol-related illnesses in Alberta surging during COVID-19 pandemic

    Blair McBride

    Alberta is seeing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic
    Alberta is seeing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic Photo by Nicole Bengiveno /NYT

    Alberta is seeing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say.

    Mental and behavioural disorders resulting from alcohol use as well as alcohol-related depression and withdrawal are among the few non-COVID causes of hospital admission that have increased in the province since March 2020, says Calgary physician Dr. Eddy Lang.

    An article co-written by Lang that was published in the medical journal PLOS ONE in June revealed alcohol consumption rose from the fifth-highest cause of hospitalization in the province to the third during the first six months of the pandemic.

    Alcohol-related illnesses accounted for 3.46 per cent of hospital admissions between March and September 2020, up from 2.65 per cent in that timeframe the previous year.

    “Considering the number of hospitalizations we have in Alberta, that’s a significant increase,” Lang said, attributing the rising drinking rates to heightened feelings of pandemic anxiety.

    “There’s been lots of lost employment and family separation. We know that people are managing that with alcohol and cannabis. That’s going to manifest with people going overboard,” he said. “Alcohol is like gasoline on the fire of mental illness. If you’re already depressed you might think alcohol will make you feel better but in long run it makes things worse because it contributes to suicidal thoughts.”

    Increased rates of drinking in Alberta are also showing up in liver health.

    Hospitalizations for alcoholic hepatitis rose by 90.5 per cent in the first wave of the pandemic, according to a study soon to be published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

    Read more

    Saturday

    Albertans leave messages at UCP MLA offices to say no thanks to the government

    Gil McGowan (front, President, Alberta Federation of Labour), Jeffrey Strom, Beth Strom and Karen Kuprys (right, Secretary Treasurer, Alberta Federation of Labour) invited concerned citizens to Alberta UCP MLA Kaycee Madu’s office in Edmonton on Saturday, October 9, 2021, to leave messages voicing their disapproval to the Alberta government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also shared their messages on social media with the hashtag #NoThanksGivenUCP. (PHOTO BY LARRY WONG/POSTMEDIA)
    Gil McGowan (front, President, Alberta Federation of Labour), Jeffrey Strom, Beth Strom and Karen Kuprys (right, Secretary Treasurer, Alberta Federation of Labour) invited concerned citizens to Alberta UCP MLA Kaycee Madu’s office in Edmonton on Saturday, October 9, 2021, to leave messages voicing their disapproval to the Alberta government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also shared their messages on social media with the hashtag #NoThanksGivenUCP. (PHOTO BY LARRY WONG/POSTMEDIA) Photo by Larry Wong /Postmedia

    Albertan have been leaving messages at UCP MLA offices to say no thank you to the government that has needlessly endangered peoples lives.

    In a Thursday news release, the Alberta Federation of Labour asked Albertans to leave messages at UCP MLAs offices saying no thank you for the government’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks on Saturday. They could also leave comments on social media using #NoThanksGivenUCP

    The group says that Albertans are angry that hospitals are over capacity, health-care workers are being pushed to their breaking point, surgeries are being cancelled and many schools are facing outbreaks in the news release.

    “The UCP refuse to take needed actions to keep Albertans safe,” says the release.

    Saturday

    ‘I see you ICU:’ Albertans express gratitude for health-care workers at Thanksgiving

    The Canadian Press

    Teams in a crowded Calgary intensive care unit tend to a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator.
    Teams in a crowded Calgary intensive care unit tend to a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator. Photo by Supplied by Alberta Health Services

    Hundreds of Albertans are sending coffee, gift cards and Thanksgiving meals to those working in intensive care units overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

    J’Val Shuster says she and her staff at Devour Catering will be delivering turkey dinners to 200 nurses, doctors and health-care staff at four Calgary hospitals on Sunday and more meals are to be delivered in the days to come. People have been paying $15 a meal through the company’s “I See You ICU” drive.

    “We’ve had over 1,700 people purchase a total of 6,000meals for doctors, nurses and staff,” Shuster said.

    “Nurses (have said) even if they don’t get the meals, they’re very uplifted just by the fact that people are showing their support and wanting to do something.”

    Shuster said she began the idea last month as she struggled to keep her business afloat. Support has been so overwhelming, she said, she has had to temporarily stop taking meal orders.

    “We’re going to co-ordinate with all the departments at what frequency they want the remaining ordered meals. We can’t prepare 6,000 meals at once.”

    Betty Wade of Calgary purchased 50 dinners for health-care staff.

    “I’m absolutely thankful for them, particularly now in this fourth wave,” said the retiree.

    “They’ll have something at the doorstep when they leave their shift that makes them realize that they are appreciated more than they know by so many people. We are very, very thankful for every one of them doing their job saving lives as best they can in this situation.”

    She recalled that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic many cheered and clapped for workers on the streets.

    “But there’s a difference now … it’s the intensity in the ICU and in the hospitals,” she said.

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