Seattle: Each day, more deaths are being linked to the heatwave that struck the Pacific Northwest this past week, with medical staff who treated people overwhelmed by temperatures well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) saying the toll from the extreme weather will keep creeping up.

Hundreds of deaths were being investigated as heat-related in Oregon, Washington state and British Columbia. The dangerous heat began June 25 and only began to subside in some areas on Tuesday.

The death toll in Oregon alone has reached at least 95, the state medical examiner said on Friday, with most occurring in Multnomah County, which encompasses Portland. The deaths include a Guatemalan immigrant who collapsed as he worked at a plant nursery in a rural Oregon town during the soaring heat.

In Canada, British Columbia’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 ‘sudden and unexpected deaths’ between June 25 and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the province over a five-day period. She said it was too soon to confirm how many deaths were heat-related but that it was likely behind most of them.

Washington state authorities have linked about 30 deaths to the heat, with more reports coming in each day this week.

“I think, over time, we will understand that the numbers are only going to climb,” said Dr. Steve Mitchell, director of Harborview Medical Center’s Emergency Medicine Department in Seattle. “I know, in my experience, that I’m expecting to see much larger numbers than what we are currently able to report because of talking to EMS colleagues who were experiencing twice as many calls for help that day.” There were 1,792 emergency room visits for suspected heat-related illness since June 25, the Washington State Department of Health said Thursday. Of those visits, 21 percent required people to be admitted to the hospital.

Monday had the most emergency room visits, with 702, the health department said. It was the hottest day of the heatwave in many areas, with Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and other cities smashing all-time heat records. It reached 108 F (42 C) in Seattle and 116 F (47) in Oregon’s largest city.

“With this latest heat emergency, when we were dealing with it, the only thing comparable at Harborview and in the region that we’ve experienced recently was actually the early days of COVID,” Mitchell said.

Forecasters blamed the temperatures that spiked more than 30 degrees above normal on a ‘heat dome’ that parked a strong high-pressure system over the region. Temperatures cooled considerably in western Washington and Oregon by Tuesday, though a heat warning was still in effect for parts of the interior Northwest and Canada.

Experts say the hot weather is a harbinger of things to come as climate change affects global weather patterns.

The extraordinary heatwave stretched into the upper reaches of California, where several wildfires erupted in the hot, dry conditions, making it difficult for firefighters trying to beat back the flames that have driven thousands from their homes in mountain communities and burned several residences. 

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WINNIPEG: Protesters have toppled statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II in the Canadian city of Winnipeg as anger grows over the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children in unmarked graves at former indigenous schools.

A crowd chanted “no pride in genocide” before pulling down the statues of the monarchs.

The action took place on Canada Day on Thursday, when traditionally celebrations take place across the country.

However, many cities scrapped events this year as the scandal over the indigenous children made Canadians confront their colonial history. 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the day would be “a time for reflection”.

Almost 1,000 unmarked graves have been found at former residential schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan that were mainly run by the Catholic Church and funded by the government.

For 165 years and as recently as 1996, the schools forcibly separated indigenous children from their families, subjecting them to malnourishment and physical and sexual abuse in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called “cultural genocide” in 2015.

In Winnipeg, a crowd cheered as Queen Victoria`s statue fell outside the Manitoba provincial legislature. Protesters, many of whom wore orange clothing, also kicked the toppled statue and danced around it. The pedestal and statue were daubed in red paint hand marks.

A nearby statue of Queen Elizabeth was also pulled down. She is Canada`s current head of state, while Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901 when Canada was part of the British Empire.

Protests in support of the indigenous children also took place on Thursday in Toronto, Canada`s financial hub, while a #CancelCanadaDay march in the capital Ottawa drew thousands in support of victims and survivors of the residential school system.

Vigils and rallies were held across other parts of the country. Many participants wore orange clothing, which has become the symbol of the movement.

In his Canada Day message, Trudeau said the discoveries of the remains of the children at the former schools “have rightfully pressed us to reflect on our country`s historical failures”. Injustices still exist for indigenous peoples and many others in Canada, he said.

Bangalore: A forest fire that began after three days of record-breaking temperatures has destroyed most of the small western Canadian town of Lytton, as government officials issued fresh evacuation orders on Thursday as more wildfires tore through the province.

More than 1,000 people in and around Lytton, in central British Columbia, were evacuated late on Wednesday after the fast-moving fire engulfed the community, catching residents by surprise. The cause of the fire was being investigated, B.C Premier John Horgan told reporters.

A couple in their 60s died due to the fire, Post Media reported, quoting their son. Reuters could not independently verify the deaths. B.C. officials told the briefing that some residents were unaccounted for, and said “most homes and structures” in Lytton have been lost.

“The town has sustained structural damage and 90% of the village is burned, including the centre of the town,” Brad Vis, a member of Parliament for Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, said in a Facebook post.

He said the fire also caused extensive damage to BC Hydro stations and highways, limiting access to Lytton by road.

Horgan said 62 new fires were reported in B.C. in the past 24 hours, forcing authorities to issue new evacuation orders affecting some 700 people in B.C.`s Cariboo region.

The sizzling heat wave also ravaged the U.S. Northwest with record-high temperatures.

Amateur video footage showed residents of Lytton scrambling to leave town in cars as fires burned down trees and some structures.

Lytton Mayor Jan Polderman ordered everyone in the town of 250 to vacate late on Wednesday. Residents of another 87 properties north of Lytton were also ordered to leave on Wednesday.

Lytton set a record of 49.6 degrees Celsius (121.28 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday. The previous high in Canada, known for brutally cold winters, was 45 degrees Celsius, set in Saskatchewan in 1937.

On Wednesday, strong winds gusting up to 71 kph (44 mph) were recorded in the area, flaming the fires.

The province recorded at least 486 sudden deaths over five days to Wednesday, nearly three times the usual number that would occur in the province over that period, the B.C. Coroners Service said on Wednesday.

OTTAWA: Multiple cities scrapped Canada Day celebrations on Thursday after the discovery of hundreds of remains of children in unmarked graves at former indigenous schools sparked a reckoning with the country`s colonial past.

Calls to scale back or cancel celebrations snowballed after, beginning in May, almost 1,000 unmarked graves were found at former residential schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan that were mainly run by the Catholic Church and funded by the government.

Traditionally the holiday is celebrated with backyard barbecues and fireworks much like July 4 in the United States, however this year Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the day would be “a time for reflection.”

A #CancelCanadaDay march was being held in Ottawa, the capital, and Toronto was hosting rallies to honor the victims and survivors of Canada`s residential school system. The schools forcibly separated indigenous children from their families, in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called “cultural genocide” in 2015.

“Canada is having a reckoning with its history,” said Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, a University of Toronto sociology professor who studies race, crime and criminal justice.

“I don`t think we can celebrate this country for what it is without recognizing this country for what it isn`t: a utopia and a bastion of equality and freedom and equal opportunity for all members of society,” he said.

Canada`s reputation for tolerance was built on its efforts, starting in the 1970s, to create a multicultural society, but inequalities abound both for indigenous communities and among visible minorities, data show.

In his Canada Day message on Thursday, Trudeau said the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children at former residential schools “have rightfully pressed us to reflect on our country`s historical failures,” and the injustices that still exist for indigenous peoples and many others in Canada.

“This Canada Day, let`s recommit to learning from and listening to each other so we can break down the barriers that divide us, rectify the injustices of our past, and build a more fair and equitable society for everyone.

STARK DISPARITIES

Indigenous people, who make up less than 5% of the population, face higher levels of poverty and violence and shorter life expectancies.

The unemployment rate for visible minorities, who make up more than 20% of the total population, was 11.4% in May compared with 7.0% for whites, according to Statistics Canada. In 2020, the unemployment rate for indigenous people in Ontario was 12.5% compared with 9.5% for non-indigenous people.

Some 30% of visible minorities and indigenous peoples feel treated like outsiders in their own country, according to an Angus Reid Institute poll on diversity and racism published on June 21.

The discovery of the remains and a deadly attack on a Muslim family in June that killed three generations of members has led to soul-searching in Canada about the country`s oft-touted reputation for tolerance. The suspect is accused of murder and domestic terrorism.

Hate crimes against Muslims rose 9% to 181 in 2019, according to the latest data by StatCan. Some 36% of indigenous people and 42% of visible minorities said Canada is a racist country, according to the Angus Reid survey.

A number of Muslim women who wear hijabs have also been attacked in Alberta in recent weeks, while in Quebec a law banning public servants from wearing the hijab is facing legal challenges, and critics have called the measure a form of institutionalized racism.

New Democrat lawmaker Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, who is Inuk, said she felt unsafe in the House of Commons as an indigenous woman, and last month announced she would not be running for re-election.   

“I don`t think there`s any reason for celebration (on Canada Day),” Qaqqaq said.

The rising temperature in Canada and America has broken all previous records. The scorching heat is causing significant increase in deaths. More than 60 people have died in Oregon, and Multnomah, the state’s largest county, is affected the most as 45 people were reported dead since Friday. Lisa Lapointe, the chief coroner of the Canadian western province of British Columbia, said “There have been reports of at least 486 ‘sudden and unexpected deaths between Friday and 1 p.m. on Wednesday.”

However, she also said that it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat-related. But, it is believed that the significant increase in the death toll is attributed to extreme weather. Vancouver Police Sergeant Steve Edison said, “Vancouver has never experienced such hot weather and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it.” 

Severe heat waves in Canada and America 

Washington state officials have reported more than 20 deaths due to the heat, but the number could rise further in the coming days. Meteorologists have attributed the extreme heat to extreme pressure over the Northwest and human-caused climate change. All previous temperature records have been broken in Seattle, Portland, and many other cities. In some places, the temperature has crossed 46 degree Celsius. Although lower temperatures in western Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia have brought some relief to people, the sweltering heat is still wreaking havoc in the interior.  Heat warnings have been issued for Canada’s southern Alberta and Saskatchewan and Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

Hundreds of people feared dead

A medical examiner in Oregon’s Multnomah County has cited hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature, as the cause of 45 deaths that included people between the ages of 44 and 97. Portland also comes under this county.  Only 12 people were confirmed to have died of hyperthermia in Oregon between 2017 and 2019. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed at least 13 deaths who were between the age group of 61 and 97. The Spokane Fire Department in eastern Washington found 2 people dead in an apartment on Wednesday. Heat is also believed to be the reason behind these deaths. 

 

The scorching heat in Canada for three consecutive days has made life difficult for people. Troubled by this scorching sun, people are being forced to stay indoors. In fact, the city of Lytton in British Columbia, Canada has recorded the highest temperature for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. There is also a fear of people falling ill due to this scorching heat. According to the Meteorological Service Department, Canada’s current temperature has been recorded at 49.5 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Service Department has said that ‘a deadly heat wave continues to affect the west of the country and the US Pacific Northwest’. Actually, the scorching heat in the US Pacific Northwest has worsened the condition of the people. For this reason, schools and colleges have been closed during the given summer, so that children can be safe and avoid getting sick. At the same time, local people are leaving their house according to their needs.

Canada’s Department of Environment and Climate Change wrote on Twitter that ‘Lytton Climate Station recorded a temperature of 49.5 °C at 4:20 pm, once again for the third consecutive day the heat has broken the single-day temperature record’.

Heatwave in a cold climate country leaves people in astonishment

Notably, Canada, one of the coldest countries, is now struggling with the scorching heat. According to the Meteorological Service Department, there has never been so much heat here as it has been in the last three days.

VANCOUVER: British Columbia has closed schools and universities due to extreme heat which pushed temperature in the western Canadian province to a national record over the weekend, in a country that is widely known for its brutal winter and snows.

Lytton, a town in central British Columbia roughly 200km (124 miles) north of Vancouver, reported a temperature of 46.6°C (115.88°F) on Sunday. 

Prior to the weekend, the historical high in Canada was 45°C, set in Saskatchewan in 1937, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Much of western Canada has set local temperature records and has pushed people to take shelter in beaches and lakefronts.

Social media posts with tips on staying cool without air conditioners went viral, in a province where less than 40% of homes have air conditioning, according to a 2018 study from B.C. Hydro.

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The high sustained heat is unusual to the Pacific Northwest, which is more accustomed to long bouts of rain than sun, and is caused by a high-pressure system that isn`t moving, said Greg Flato, a senior research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada based in Victoria.

“Temperatures get very hot during the day, they don`t cool off that much of the night and they stay relatively stationary, as opposed to the usual kind of weather events here on the West Coast… that come in across the Pacific (Ocean) and sweep across us,” Flato said.

“It drives home the point that climate is changing. Science has been telling us for a long time but to be actually immersed in it, as we are here and having to sleep down in the basement to stay cool – it really drives that home.”

Canola futures surged to daily price limits on Monday, fueled by a heatwave and dry weather on the Canadian Prairies.

The campaign to provide the Covid-19 vaccine in India is progressing rapidly. People are registering themselves through the CoWIN app to book the slot for getting vaccinated. Meanwhile, about 50 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Nigeria and Panama, want to use a system like CoWIN for their vaccination drive. India has also agreed to share ‘open source software’ for free. A government senior official gave information regarding this on Monday. 

Dr RS Sharma, chairman of the Empowered Group for the Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign, said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to develop an ‘open source software’ of the software and provide it free of cost to any country interested in it.

Many countries interested in CoWIN

Dr RS Sharma said, “The CoWIN platform has become so popular that as many as 50 countries from Central Asia, Latin America, Africa all have shown interest in using it.” He also said that a global conclave of health and technology experts from around the world will be held virtually on July 5 where India will share how the system works. He further said, “CoWIN has become very popular in five months and I am happy that we can now help other countries as well. If we want to win the war against CoVID-19, then we have to work together. For this the cooperation from all the countries is necessary.”

Ottawa: After China demanded an investigation into the discovery of the remains of indigenous children in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lashed out at Beijing, stressing that there was a difference between the matter and the communist country`s systemic abuse against ethnic minorities including Uyghurs.

According to Canadian state broadcaster CTV News, Trudeau on Tuesday (June 22) said that Canada knows its relationship with indigenous people is broken but it has a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is working to try and address the issues. On the other hand, China is not even willing to admit that there is a problem over the numerous human rights abuses against Uyghurs.

“Where is China`s Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Where is their truth? Where is the openness that Canada has always shown, and the responsibility that Canada has taken for the terrible mistakes of the past, and indeed, many of which continue into the present?” Trudeau asked at a news conference outside his Ottawa home Tuesday (June 22).

Earlier this month, the mass burial place of 215 children, aged from three years, was found at the site of a school, closed in 1978, near the Canadian town of Kamloops, Sputnik reported. Following the discovery of graves, a probe has been opened into the circumstances and the accountability of these fatalities. The remarks came after Chinese diplomat Jiang Duan demanded an investigation during a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Washington Post reported.

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“We are deeply concerned about the human rights violations against the Indigenous people in Canada,” said Jiang, a senior official at China`s mission to the UN in Geneva. Jiang said China and its allies sought a “thorough and impartial investigation,” not just of the discovery but of broader Canadian crimes against indigenous people. China`s allies include Belarus, North Korea and Syria, all of whom are accused of human rights abuses.

Jiang`s demand came before Canadian officials read a statement that called on China to allow the UN human rights chief access to the Xinjiang region to investigate more than one million Uyghurs who have been unlawfully detained there. The statement also mentioned a continuing clampdown in Hong Kong under Chinese auspices and ongoing reports of repression in Tibet, according to Washington Post.

“We call on Chinese authorities to abide by their human rights obligations,” said Leslie E Norton, Canada`s ambassador to the UN in Geneva. The dueling demands represented a deep geopolitical and ideological divide at the top UN human rights body. Meanwhile, in its strongest rebuke of China, the Group of Seven (G7) countries had urged China to “respect human rights and fundamental freedoms” in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The group called on China “to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially in relation to Xinjiang and those rights, freedoms and a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law”.Meanwhile, China dismissed these remarks saying that the days when a “small” group of countries decided the fate of the world were long gone. 

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In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Canada has postponed the flights coming from India till next month. Although it has not been formally announced, it is expected that a formal announcement will be made in this regard after Monday.

An official said that the Government of India has already been informed in this regard. The Canadian Government first banned flights coming from India on 22 April. This ban was implemented for the next 30 days.

The ban on flights from India on May 21 was extended by another month as Covid-19 cases continued to rise in India. The flight ban will expire tomorrow. It is expected that flights coming from India to Canada will be banned for another month. 

Pressure on Justin Trudeau’s Government

It is understood that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under heavy pressure to stop the flight as Delta variants have been found in many Covid-19 infected patients in Canada, which is believed to have been originated in India.

In the light of the increasing cases of infection in Canada, many provincial governments are also pressurizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canada temporarily banned the flight after the Covid-19 cases increased in India in April. Halfway through May, the cases of covid-19 in India started decreasing. Despite this, Canada again banned the arrival of Indian flights into its border for a month in May. 

Two thousand cases of Delta variants

Although the Delta variant of Covid-19 became widely prevalent in the world, Canadian health officials have warned that the Delta variant has the potential to spread 150 percent more infections. Canadian media is informing that the Delta variant was first found in India. And so far, 2000 people have become victims of this variant in Canada. A report said the number of corona patients suffering from delta variants in the first week was 1187. It has increased by two-thirds in just one week. 

Islamabad: Pakistan`s Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed lashed out at the Sindh government over unauthorised constructions and encroachments on public spaces and said that the provincial government is being run from Canada.

Daily Times reported that while hearing of a case relating to the construction of a tower on Shahrah-e-Faisal, the chief justice remarked that one Younus Memon was running the affairs of provincial government from Canada.

“If you can`t clean a nullah, how can you run a province,” asked Chief Justice, irked at the Sindh government for not paying attention to Karachi`s civic issues.

“There is a building control authority, [but you can] give [them] money and do whatever you like. There is no government in Sindh,” observed the judge.

The court also asked the advocate general of Sindh what the provincial government will do to ensure these practices are kept in check. The top judge said that a parliamentary form of government is a strong one but reiterated that when such was the state of affairs that a provincial government cannot clean a nullah (watercourse), how will it run an entire province.

“We gave the orders to clean the nullah over a year ago yet there seems to be a new excuse every day,” he said.

The chief justice spoke about the city`s main artery, Shahrah-e-Faisal, saying that it has never declined in width but has only grown.

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The service roads on both sides have encroached, it further reported. Justice Gulzar noted and said Rs 2.6 trillion were allocated for an education project that was started in 2014 and was finished in 2017.

He also observed that Rs 1.5 trillion have been set aside for reverse osmosis plants yet people in Tharparkar are dying of thirst.

He said authorities should decide what to do about the city`s civic issues and added that when authorities pass budgets, they allocate funds for themselves, not for the welfare of the people.

He also slammed the railway ministry and secretary of Pakistan Railways over frequent accidents and poor functioning of railways and urged the Prime Minister to take steps to improve the railways and also look into the recent irresponsible statement of the railways’ minister, who said he was willing to resign if it would cover the losses and casualties in the Ghotki train accident.

The court was hearing civil miscellaneous applications (CMAs) filed against the apex court`s decisions on a petition seeking its intervention to get the amenity plots vacated from `land mafia and political parties` in the city.
 

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New Delhi: Canadian corporations with a presence in India have contributed nearly 59 million Canadian dollars (354 crores) in supplies to aid in the devastating second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping through the country.

The Canada-India Business Council, or C-IBC, said in a statement issued on Friday said that their members “have made generous financial contributions and provided supplies in excess of $58,822,150 Canadian dollars (approximately ₹354 crores). We are grateful for the continuous support, ongoing initiatives and generosity of our members in helping the people of India”.
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The statement also mentioned that though in the last few weeks, infection rates were “starting to decline across many states as vaccination rates are increasing rapidly”, there were still “many areas” that are “experiencing devastating caseload and are still in crisis mode”.

In light of these circumstances, C-IBC “is continuing to support relief efforts in supporting the people of India”.

According to C-IBC president Victor Thomas, it is very encouraging that Canadian companies operating in the “India-Canada economic corridor stepped up and have been very supportive.”

Funds were mainly donated through the Canadian Red Cross, while some businesses sent medical supplies that were urgently required during the crisis. While major Canadian pension funds, which have heavily invested in India’s infrastructure sector, were unable to contribute directly due to their charters, they implemented matching grants programmes based on employee contributions.

Thomas stated that the cumulative contribution was “not insignificant,” and Canadian businesses wanted to send the message that “we’re there and we’re supportive” in the context of doing their part to help India during a critical period.

According to C-IBC the donations have “helped set up temporary Covid-19 hospitals, supply hospital beds, medical oxygen, lifesaving medicine, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency care for migrants, and implement infection control activities in communities across India”.

Solar Eclipse 2021: The first Solar Eclipse of the year 2021 is going to take place on June 10. This comes soon after the first lunar eclipse took place on May 26.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, and blocks the light of the Sun from reaching the planet. Those who are planning to watch this rare cosmic phenomenon should use protective solar eclipse-viewing glasses to directly view the event. Read on to know more about Solar Eclipse time, date, and how you can watch it in India.

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First Solar eclipse 2021 date and time
The Solar Eclipse, also known as ‘Surya Grahan’ in India, will take place on June 10. The annular solar eclipse will begin at 01:42 PM (IST) and will be visible until 06:41 PM (IST), as updated on Timeanddate.com.

Will it be visible in India?
According to NASA, the solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Canada, Greenland, and Russia. The path of eclipse shows that those living in northern Ontario and on the north side of Lake Superior will be able to see it. In Canada, it will be visible for three minutes.

At the peak of the solar eclipse, the ring of fire will be visible in Greenland. Siberia and the North Pole will also be able to witness the celestial event however several countries including India will miss out on it.

How to watch Solar Eclipse in India?
Even though the solar eclipse will not be visible in India, people can witness the celestial event online. The live stream link of the solar eclipse has been made available on several portals and more links will be shared on the day of the eclipse, so that you don’t miss it on June 10. 

What is the Ring of Fire?
When the Moon is farthest from Earth within its elliptical orbit, it forms a ring of light, which is visible around the Moon, NASA explains. So due to its distance, the moon appears a bit smaller than the sun and is unable to block the entire view of it. Hence, people are able to witness a visual which is called as the ‘Ring of Fire.’

Astrological Beliefs

According to the astrological predictions, the first solar eclipse of the year is taking place in Taurus. Therefore, people born in the Taurus zodiac sign need to be very careful. The rules of Sutak will not be applicable due to the partial nature of the solar eclipse. According to astrological and religious beliefs, auspicious works are not undertaken during the Sutak period. When a total solar eclipse occurs, the Sutak period begins 12 hours before the occurrence of the eclipse. So this time, the doors of the temples will not be closed.

Next Solar Eclipse
According to NASA, the second and last solar eclipse of 2021 will take place on December 4. It will be a total solar eclipse that will be visible in much of Europe, Asia, Australia, North/West Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Arctic region.

Ottawa: More than half of Canada`s population has received at least one dose of a vaccine against COVID-19, the CP24 television channel reports.

The coronavirus immunity milestone was reached on Saturday (May 22) when health authorities announced that over 20.6 million vaccine doses had been administered across Canada.

More than 19 million people received one shot, while 1.6 million have been fully vaccinated. Thus, according to CP24, 50.01 percent of the Canadian population has received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose.

Canada has approved four vaccines against COVID-19: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Canada has more than 1.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases, while the country`s COVID-19 death toll stands at over 25,000.

 

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Ottawa: The government of Canada has extended the current flight ban from India and Pakistan, amid the worsening COVID-19 situation, by another month. The ban on incoming flights from India and Pakistan will continue till June 21.

The Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra made the announcement on Friday (May 21, 2021). Alghabra said that the decision of extending the flight ban was taken as part of a campaign to fight COVID-19.

Alghabra said Canada had seen “a significant reduction” in coronavirus infections among arriving airline passengers since Ottawa first announced the bans on April 22 as the number of cases in India soared. The move does not affect cargo flights.

“These ongoing measures will remain in place to help protect Canadians and to manage the elevated risk of imported cases of COVID-19 and variants of concern,” he told a briefing.

Government officials said they were in no hurry to open up travel across the border, citing the need to protect public health.

The Canadian authorities also added that as the vaccinations have picked up, the country has seen over a 25 percent drop in daily new cases since last week. The deputy chief public health officer Howard Njoo told the briefing that now the daily new cases average around 5,000.

The central province of Manitoba has been badly hit by a third wave of the virus, recording the highest rate of infections in all of Canada in the past seven days.

Premier of Manitoba, Brian Pallister revealed that he asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday (May 21, 2021) to supply critical care nurses, respiratory therapists and contact tracers. Premier Pallister said PM Trudeau indicated that he would provide all the support he could to fight COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the country has so far recorded a total of 1.3 million coronavirus cases, while over 25,111 people succumbed to the infection. 

The ban on Indian and Pakistani flights is part of a series of restrictions Canada has imposed to lower the transmission of the virus, including curbs on non-essential travel across the long land border with the United States.

(With Agency inputs)

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Ottawa: Canada announced its approval of administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 to 15 on Wednesday.

“After completing a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the department determined that this vaccine is safe and effective when used in this younger age group,” said Health Canada’s Chief Medical Advisor Supriya Sharma at a press conference on Wednesday.

Canada became the first country in the world to have okayed the two-dose Pfizer vaccine shots to the younger age group, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The Canadian government authorised the vaccine for use in individuals 16 years of age and older last December.

Health Canada based its decision on data from Phase 3 clinical trial in participants aged 12 to 15 years old.

The trial enrolled 2,260 adolescents 12 to 15 years of age in the United States. All participants in the trial will continue to be monitored for long-term protection and safety for an additional two years after their second dose.

“After completing a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the department determined that this vaccine is safe and effective when used in this younger age group,” said Sharma.

“While younger people are less likely to experience serious cases of COVID-19, having access to a safe and effective vaccine will help control the disease’s spread to their family and friends, some of whom may be at higher risk of complications,” Sharma said. “The most commonly reported side effects were temporary and mild, like a sore arm, chills or fever.”

Usually, the vaccine submission review process can take much longer, but because of an emergency order, Health Canada has been able to expedite the authorisation process.

Health Canada has published a series of documents detailing its decision and a summary of the evidence reviewed.

Pfizer-BioNTech is required to continue providing Health Canada with ongoing safety and efficacy information as the product is being used in real world settings.

With nearly 11 million doses sent to Canada to date, Pfizer has committed to sending more than 2 million doses each week, until end of June.

Asked what this might mean for schools to be able to reopen, Sharma said that will depend on how and when provinces and territories in Canada decide to administer these shots to younger people.

As of Wednesday noon, Canada reported a cumulative total of 1,253,817 Covid-19 cases, including 24,445 deaths and 130,008 variants, according to CTV.