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Here’s your daily update with everything you need to know on the COVID-19 situation in B.C. and around the world for May 11, 2022.

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We’ll provide summaries of what’s going on right here so you can get the latest news at a glance. This page will be updated regularly throughout the day, with developments added as they happen, so be sure to check back often.

You can also get the latest COVID-19 news delivered to your inbox weeknights at 7 p.m. by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Headlines at a glance

• Two dozen COVID-19 violation tickets against three Chilliwack pastors who continued in-person worship services in violation of provincial public health orders have now been dropped.
• As Paxlovid has become more widely used, some patients have reported that COVID-19 symptoms recurred after completing treatment and experiencing improvement.
• An alarming possible complication of COVID-19 in young children is being investigated across the globe, but B.C. health officials say there’s still no evidence it’s been seen here yet.
• The pandemic heightened the risk of overdose because of a decline in the quality of drugs, according to an SFU study.
• North Korea has officially confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak, with state media reporting a sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron virus had been detected in Pyongyang.
• Moderna Inc has made all necessary submissions required by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents and children.
• 98{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of B.C. dieticians, physicians and surgeons are double vaccinated for COVID-19, the highest rate among regulated health professionals, Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
• Ontario reports 19 new COVID-19 deaths, increase in hospitalizations.
• Some NHL teams are coming up with alternate routes across the U.S.-Canada border this playoff season to avoid mandatory COVID-19 testing for international flights entering the U.S.
• The head of WHO says China’s zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy is not sustainable given what is now known of the virus.
• Passengers are still at risk of coronavirus infection while travelling on airplanes and also in airports, researchers warned.

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LATEST NEWS

B.C. drops 24 tickets against pastors issued for violating COVID-19 orders

B.C.’s Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it dropped two dozen COVID-19 violation tickets against three Chilliwack pastors who continued in-person worship services in violation of provincial public health orders.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which represents the pastors, says the fines would have totalled $55,200.

The Crown dropped seven tickets against Pastor John Koopman of the Chilliwack Free Reformed Church, 11 tickets against Pastor James Butler of the Free Grace Baptist Church and six tickets against Pastor Timothy Champ with the Valley Heights Community Church.

Read the full story here.

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— The Canadian Press

Acute hepatitis in children still unreported in B.C., but health officials keeping watch

An alarming possible complication of COVID-19 in young children is being investigated across the globe, but B.C. health officials say there’s still no evidence it’s been seen here yet.

During a briefing on Tuesday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry was asked whether B.C. has had reported cases of acute hepatitis in kids who had contracted the novel coronavirus.

She said one child with a liver ailment was recently investigated for a possible link, but it turned out not to be related to COVID-19.

“This is one of those things that we’ve been watching along with our colleagues across the country,” said Henry.

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While more than 200 cases have been reported globally, she said none has been detected in B.C. Nonetheless, there is enough concern that pediatric physicians were reminded just last week that liver complications in children are a reportable condition, said Henry.

Read the full story here.

— Joseph Ruttle

Some U.S. patients reporting COVID rebounds after taking Pfizer pills

More than 2.8 million courses of Pfizer Inc’s COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment Paxlovid have been made available at pharmacies around the United States, with the Biden administration working to improve access to the drug.

As Paxlovid has become more widely used, some patients have reported that COVID-19 symptoms recurred after completing treatment and experiencing improvement. Here is the latest information on these rebounds.

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Read the full story here.

— Reuters

COVID-19 increased risk of overdose due to poorer drug quality: SFU study

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the risk of overdose because of a decline in the quality of drugs, according to a study that authors say highlights the need for a safer supply not just for people who use opioids, but also stimulants.

Researchers from Simon Fraser University surveyed 738 people who use drugs in Vancouver and found that nearly 37 per cent reported using poorer quality drugs.

Those who reported a decline in the drug quality were more likely to report experiencing a recent non-fatal overdose, which is associated with an increased risk of a fatal overdose, said the study, which was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

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Read the full story here.

— Cheryl Chan

North Korea officially reports first COVID-19 outbreak

North Korea officially confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak on Thursday, with state media reporting a sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron virus, known as BA.2, had been detected in Pyongyang.

“There has been the biggest emergency incident in the country, with a hole in our emergency quarantine front, that has been kept safely over the past two years and three months since February 2020,” the state media said.

The report said people in Pyongyang contracted the Omicron variant, without providing details on case numbers or possible sources of infection.

The report was published as the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chaired a Workers’ Party meeting to discuss responses to the first outbreak of the coronavirus.

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— Reuters

Moderna completes FDA submission for use of COVID shot in adolescents, kids

Moderna Inc has made all necessary submissions required by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents and children, it said on Wednesday.

The company is seeking approval for the use of its vaccines in three distinct age groups – adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, children aged six to 11 and those between six years and six months. The submissions for all three groups were made on May 9, it said.

Although Moderna’s vaccine is approved by the FDA for use in adults 18 years and older, its use in other age groups has hit a roadblock as U.S. regulators have sought more safety data.

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Australia, Canada and the European Union though have approved the vaccine for use in six- to 17-year olds.

— Reuters

B.C. won’t offer fourth dose to people living at home and under 70

B.C. will not offer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to anyone under 70 – unless they are living in care homes or assisted-living facilities, are First Nations, Métis or Inuit older than 55 or immune-compromised.

This is unlike Quebec, that is now offering a fourth dose to all adults.

So far in B.C., just over 78,000 people have received a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, primarily in long-term care facilities.

Over the next week 75,000 people aged 70 and over will be eligible for their fourth dose.

The gap is between third and fourth doses is 182 days.

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More than a million people eligible for a third dose have not signed up.

‘Very encouraging’ – situation continues to improve in Quebec

Quebec’s interim public health director says the COVID-19 situation continues to improve in the province.

“It’s very encouraging,” Dr. Luc Boileau told reporters this afternoon.

“The epidemiological situation is really going in the right direction.”

Cases, hospitalizations, deaths and absences among health workers are falling, Boileau said.

He said the picture has improved so much that he will no longer be providing weekly pandemic updates.

— Montreal Gazette

Dietitians, physicians and surgeons have highest COVID vaccination rate among health care workers

Ninety-eight per cent of B.C. dietitians, physicians and surgeons are double vaccinated for COVID-19, the highest rate among regulated health professionals, B.C.’s provincial health officer said Tuesday.

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Ninety-four per cent of regulated health-care professionals have two doses of the vaccine, which Dr. Bonnie Henry said shows health-care workers see the value of being vaccinated.

Health professionals with the lowest rates of vaccinations are naturopathic physicians at 69 per cent, chiropractors at 78 per cent and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncturists at 79 per cent.

Here is the list of groups, from most to least vaccinated:

• Physicians and surgeons: 98{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Dietitians: 98{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Occupational therapists: 96.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Pharmacy technicians: 96.8{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Pharmacists: 96.7{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Psychologists: 96.1{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Optometrists: 96{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Dentists: 95.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Physical therapists: 95.2{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Opticians: 94.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Speech language pathologists: 92.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Denturists: 92.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Dental assistants: 92.8{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Dental hygienists: 92.6{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Audiologists/hearing instrument practitioners: 91.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Dental technicians: 90.7{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Massage therapists: 87.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists: 79{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Chiropractors: 78.1{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
• Naturopathic physicians: 69.2{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}

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Read the full story here.

— Katie DeRosa

Ontario reports 19 new COVID-19 deaths, increase in hospitalizations

Ontario is reporting 19 new deaths linked to COVID-19 today, after reporting no new deaths on Monday.

The province says there are 1,555 people hospitalized with the virus, up from 1,213 the previous day.

The number of people in intensive care decreased slightly today to 188 from 201 the day before.

Health officials are also reporting 1,089 new infections detected by PCR testing, which is limited to certain groups.

The scientific director of Ontario’s panel of COVID-19 advisers has said multiplying the daily case count by 20 would give a more accurate picture.

Nearly 27 per cent of long-term care homes in Ontario have active COVID-19 outbreaks.

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—The Canadian Press

NHL teams setting their own itineraries to avoid COVID-19 testing requirements at U.S.-Canada border

Some NHL teams are coming up with alternate routes across the U.S.-Canada border this playoff season to avoid mandatory COVID-19 testing for international flights entering the U.S.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers both avoided testing requirements by taking buses across the border into the U.S. before then catching flights to continue their series in Tampa Bay and Los Angeles, respectively.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe told CBC, “I think the biggest thing at this point of the year really is just to do all that we can to avoid any false positives or anything that might come up that would impact our group.”

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Read the full story here.

— National Post

WHO chief says China’s zero-COVID policy not ‘sustainable’

The head of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday China’s zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy is not sustainable given what is now known of the virus, in rare public comments by the U.N. agency on a government’s handling of the pandemic.

“We don’t think that it is sustainable considering the behaviour of the virus and what we now anticipate in the future,” WHO director-deneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a media briefing.

“We have discussed this issue with Chinese experts. And we indicated that the approach will not be sustainable. … I think a shift would be very important.”

He said increased knowledge about the virus and better tools to combat it also suggested it was time for a change of strategy.

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Read the full story here.

—Reuters

Scientists question the point of swabs up everyone’s nose: ‘We might have overdone it’

For many people worldwide, having cotton swabs thrust up their nose or down their throat to test for COVID-19 has become a routine and familiar annoyance.

But two years into the pandemic, health officials in some countries are questioning the merits of repeated, mass testing when it comes to containing infections, particularly considering the billions it costs.

Chief among them is Denmark, which championed one of the world’s most prolific COVID testing regimes early on. Lawmakers are now demanding a close study of whether that policy was effective.

“We’ve tested so much more than other countries that we might have overdone it,” said Jens Lundgren, professor of infectious diseases at Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, and a member of the government’s COVID advisory group.

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Read the full story here.

— Reuters

What are B.C.’s current public health measures?

MASKS: Masks are not required in public indoor settings though individual businesses and event organizers can choose to require them.

Masks are also encouraged but not required on board public transit and B.C. Ferries, though they are still required in federally regulated travel spaces such as trains, airports and airplanes, and in health care settings.

GATHERINGS AND EVENTS: There are currently no restrictions on gatherings and events such as personal gatherings, weddings, funerals, worship services, exercise and fitness activities, and swimming pools.

There are also no restrictions or capacity limits on restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs; and no restrictions on sport activities.

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CARE HOMES: There are no capacity restrictions on visitors to long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities, however, visitors must show proof of vaccination before visiting. Exemptions are available for children under the age of 12, those with a medical exemption, and visitors attending for compassionate visits related to end of life.

Visitors to seniors’ homes are also required to take a rapid antigen test before visiting the facility or be tested on arrival. Exemptions to testing are available for those attending for compassionate visits or end-of-life care.

Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

TESTING CENTRES: B.C.’s COVID-19 test collection centres are currently only testing those with symptoms who are hospitalized, pregnant, considered high risk or live/work with those who are high risk. You can find a testing centre using the B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s testing centre map.

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If you have mild symptoms, you do not need a test and should stay home until your fever is gone. Those without symptoms do not need a test.

TAKE-HOME RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS: Eligible British Columbians over the age of 18 with a personal health number can visit a pharmacy to receive a free take-home test kit containing five COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.

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