Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Friday, November 26, 2021:
- There have been 614,270 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 748 cases from the previous day (VAX: 356 unvaccinated, 19 partially vaccinated, 329 fully vaccinated, 44 unknown). There have been 598,733 people recovered from the virus while 9,985 have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 19,633,808 of which 15,435 have pending results.
- Canada’s coronavirus case total is 1,777,814. The country has 29,600 deaths from the virus – 12 in the Yukon, 12 in the Northwest Territories, four in Nunavut, 2,316 in British Columbia, 3,232 in Alberta, 915 in Saskatchewan, 1,304 in Manitoba, 9,985 in Ontario, 11,571 in Quebec, 123 in New Brunswick, 18 in Newfoundland & Labrador and 108 in Nova Scotia.
- The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit added three cases Thursday to bring the regional total to 2,061 confirmed cases, of which 28 are active (two fewer than Wednesday) and 1,969 are recovered (five more than Wednesday). The number of deaths to date is 64. There are four people in hospital (no change from Wednesday) and one in the ICU (no change from Wednesday). There are no active institutional outbreaks. The community case breakdown is: Lanark County East 446 cases (zero active), Lanark County West 471 cases (nine active), Leeds-Grenville Central 256 cases (four active), Leeds-Grenville East 413 cases (four active), Leeds-Grenville West 240 cases (10 active) and Unknown/Out of Region 28 cases (one active).
- The Eastern Ontario Health Unit added 17 cases Thursday – eight in SD&G, 10 in Cornwall and one case removed in Prescott-Russell – to bring the regional total to 6,026 confirmed cases, of which 86 are active (four more than Wednesday) and 5,808 are resolved (12 more than Wednesday). The number of deaths to date is 131. There are two person in hospital and one in the ICU (no change from Wednesday). There are two institutional outbreaks (no change from Wednesday). Testing increased 257 to 172,572. The breakdown of cases is: Prescott-Russell 2,280 cases (four active), SD&G 1,403 cases (29 active), Cornwall 1,830 cases (34 active) and Akwesasne (ON/QC) 513 cases (19 active)(Akwesasne health department reported five new cases Wednesday: 546 total cases, 25 active, nine deaths to date).
- Vaccines: Ontario 22,845,723 (+12,566, last update Nov. 25); EOHU 336,968 (last update Nov. 25, +351 from previous update Nov. 24); LGL 151,636 individuals living in LGL with first doses, 147,919 with second doses, 5,393 with third doses. (last update Nov. 23, +307 first doses, +606 second doses, +1,411 third doses since previous update Nov. 16).
- The Upper Canada school board announced new cases Thursday associated with Central Public School and the board office in Brockville. The board says an investigation by the health units found that, in both cases, the people were not at the school or board office while infectious. Both locations are running normally.
- Four school-based clinics to inoculate young children will be held at Seaway District High School in Iroquois, Russell High School, Char-Lan District High School in Williamstown and St. Lawrence Secondary School in Cornwall. The Upper Canada school board says more details will be released soon for the clinics, which will run through December.
- The UCDSB says close to 91 per cent of its staff and trustees have completed an attestation that they are fully vaccinated. As of Nov. 10, employees who did not provide proof have to go through testing three times a week.
- After nearly two years, community groups will be able to use English public schools again after hours. Previous users have been notified about the availability of the facilities, which will start Dec. 6.
- There’s skepticism from the Canadian Labour Congress over the Liberal government’s newest pandemic jobless benefit. President Bea Bruske says the benefit won’t help employees caught in a situation that’s not a full lockdown. She says concerns will be among the top issues at a meeting next week between labour leaders and MPs.
- A 30 day state of emergency has been declared in the Czech Republic to deal with a record surge in cases. The state of emergency takes effect today (Friday) and it will see some public venues, like bars and nightclubs, close at 10 p.m.
- Newfoundland and Labrador children ages five to 11 are getting the first shots of the Pfizer vaccine a couple of days earlier than expected. A clinic in St. John’s was offering the doses yesterday (Thursday).
- Singer Bryan Adams tested positive for COVID-19 as he got of a plane in Italy on Thursday. This is the second time he’s tested positive. A followup PCR test was being administered to the singer. Adams is in Italy to unveil a promotional calendar.
Have a story or news release related to COVID-19? Send it along for possible inclusion in a future digest on Brockville Newswatch. Email editor@brockvillenewswatch.com. Please put “COVID-19 Digest” in the subject line.