Calling all health professionals. sherbrookerecord.com, Apr 14: Quebec Premier François Legault has put out a call to all health professionals to help fill the labour shortage in long term care facilities, the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
The Canadian Academy of Dental Health & Community Sciences (CADH) donates over 30,000 PPE; Free dental hygiene services to healthcare workers. newswire.ca, Apr 14: In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, CADH donated PPE to Trillium Health Partners and Chartwell Retirement Residences; Will offer free dental hygiene services to all healthcare workers in Mississauga. Read more
Should plan sponsors shift their benefits plan spend during coronavirus? benefitscanada.com, Apr 13: Usage rates for benefits such as dental and paramedical services, which generally have high uptake among plan members, are currently in decline, since non-essential business are shuttered for the foreseeable future and Canadians are staying at home. Read more
Emergency dental clinics available across Ontario. toronto.ctvnews.ca, Apr 13: Residents in the Greater Toronto Area could access emergency dental services if needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch 1:53
Coronavirus : les dentistes, durement touchés par la crise. ici.radio-canada.ca, 10 avril : De nombreux dentistes propriétaires s'inquiètent des pertes financières que la pandémie de COVID-19 entraînera pour eux. Ils anticipent une baisse de la clientèle, même lorsque la crise sera terminée. Lire plus
P.E.I. dentists adapting to COVID-19, preparing for new normal after pandemic. cbc.ca, April 13: Dental offices across the Island have been closed to regular patients since March 17, when the Dental Council of P.E.I. issued the directive. The original closure was for a 14-day period, but the council has since decided to remain in this state until the chief public health officer says they can reopen. Read more
N.S. emergency dental clinics following strict guidelines during coronavirus pandemic. globalnews.ca, April 11: At the Dalhousie Faculty of Dentistry on University Avenue, patients are being asked to come by themselves whenever possible. They are to call when they arrive and will be greeted at a side entrance, which is separate from where staff enter. Common spaces used by patients are separate from those used by staff. Read more
ADA president appoints task force for dental practice recovery after COVID-19 pandemic. ada.org, Apr 15: American Dental Association President Chad P. Gehani has assembled an advisory task force to oversee the ADA's development of tools for dentists as they bounce back from the effects of practice restrictions and closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
ADA asks Congress to ensure appropriate PPE for all health care workers. ada.org, Apr 14: Dentists treating emergency procedures need immediate access to proper equipment. Read more
Dentists help to deliver babies in NHS coronavirus effort. dentistry.co.uk, Apr 15: A [British] dentist has revealed dental teams are assisting c-section deliveries to help alleviate NHS pressure in the face of coronavirus. Read more
COVID-19 May Cut Dental Services Spending for 3 Years: Actuaries. thinkadvisor.com, Apr 14: Fear and loss of dental coverage could both play a role. Read more
Second week of HPI polling shows dentists’ response to COVID-19. ada.org, Apr 10: Four in five dentists closed their practices except for emergencies. Read more
ADA asks Congress to increase funding, extend dates for Small Business Administration loans. ada.org, Apr 13: The ADA is urging Congress to continue supporting small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing funding and streamlining the application process for Small Business Administration loans. Read more
State looks to dentist offices for help with coronavirus test swab supply. ksnt.com, Apr 13: ... the state [Kansas] is looking to purchase swabs from places like dental offices that have 3D printers that can produce them. Read more
Dentists: Practices weeks from collapse without rapid action from government. bda.org, Apr 12: Large parts of the UK’s dental service are at risk of imminent collapse without urgent steps to support small business says the British Dental Association, with a poll suggesting 70% of practices report that they can only maintain financial viability for a maximum of three months. Read more
Coronavirus: what’s life like as an urgent dental care dentist? dentistry.co.uk, Apr 14: Cross-infection measures take a lot longer, including changing PPE. There are a lot of things we still don’t know about COVID-19 and dentistry. So, we restrict procedures involving aerosols as much as possible for the time being. Read more
Patients in pain, dentists in distress: In a pandemic, the problem with teeth. sfgate.com, April 13, 2020 [article originally published in the Washington Post]: The nation's 200,000 dentists are deferring mortgages, applying for loans and laying off staff, desperate to save their practices. Their patients are calling in similar states of panic, with chipped teeth, decaying molars and receding gums, their aching exacerbated by free time and dread. Read more
AAE tells governors and state health officials that endodontists need PPE. us.dental-tribune.com, April 9: The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is telling governors and state health officials that endodontists, who are essential emergency health care providers, should receive N95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Read more
Windsor's Audacia Bioscience seeks Health Canada approval for quick, cheap COVID-19 test. windsorstar.com, Apr 14: Windsor’s Audacia Bioscience applied Monday to Health Canada for approval of a quick COVID-19 test that could provide a major boost in the battle to end the pandemic. The test would provide users with results within 10 minutes. Read more
‘Cough chamber’ shows 2 metres of physical distancing not enough: Western University researchers. globalnews.ca, Apr 14: As public health guidelines continue to recommend a two-metre space between people in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, a recently published study led by Western University researchers shows that distance is not far enough if someone coughs. Read more
Alberta study investigates the impact of early intervention with hydroxychloroquine to help patients battling COVID-19. ucalgary.ca, Apr 14: UCalgary, UAlberta, Alberta Health Services, and Government of Alberta team up to research whether a five-day treatment can prevent hospitalization for those at highest risk. Read more
Fraudulent and unauthorized N95 respirators may not protect consumers against COVID-19. healthycanadians.gc.ca, Apr 14: Health Canada has received reports that fraudulent and uncertified N95 respirators that falsely claim to protect consumers against COVID-19 are being illegally sold to consumers online and in some stores. Read more
Les respirateurs N95 frauduleux et non autorisés peuvent ne pas protéger les consommateurs contre la COVID-19. canadiensensante.gc.ca, 14 avril : Santé Canada a reçu des rapports selon lesquels des respirateurs N95 frauduleux et non homologués prétendument efficaces pour protéger les consommateurs contre la COVID-19 sont vendus illégalement en ligne et dans certains magasins. Lire plus
Experts criticize Ottawa for mismanaging and destroying millions of N95 masks. cbc.ca, Apr 15: A CBC investigation has revealed the government of Canada threw out two million N95 masks and 440,000 medical gloves when it shut down an emergency stockpile warehouse in Regina last year. Read more
How rapid coronavirus testing could help Canada flatten the curve. globalnews.ca, Apr 14: [...] having more, faster tests could make a big difference in how Canada fights the disease, experts say. Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, said he felt “joy and relief” at hearing that a faster test was available. Read more
Canadian experts leading the way in hunt for COVID-19 vaccine. torontosun.com, Apr 14: Canada may be shut down, but we are now learning our country is also at the forefront of trying to shut down the deadly novel coronavirus. Read more
The latest on the coronavirus: Bank of Canada jettisons economic forecasts, unveils new bond-buying programs. theglobeandmail.com, Apr 15: The latest news: Bank of Canada jettisons economic forecasts as pandemic clouds outlook and unveils new bond-buying programs in bid to support credit markets amid virus crisis. Ontario, Quebec revamp staffing at nursing homes amid ‘wildfire’ COVID-19 outbreak. Crunch time on the vegetable farm: For foreign workers and owners, coronavirus accelerates a race against the seasons. Small businesses tap $5-billion in loans, but some owners say they don’t qualify due to payroll rules. Ottawa announces $72.6-million in health, social care support for Northern Canadian communities. Trump to freeze WHO funding for ‘mismanaging’ handling of coronavirus crisis. Trudeau says it will be at least weeks until economy gets going again. Former Liberal justice minister urges sanctions against Chinese officials who covered up early COVID-19 outbreak. Read more
Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world Wednesday. cbc.ca, Apr 15: LIVE BLOG | Get the latest news from the prime minister's daily briefing. Trudeau set to announce expanded eligibility for emergency benefits. Advocates wonder why long-term care COVID warnings were ignored. Experts criticize Ottawa for destroying millions of N95 masks. Bank of Canada. INTERACTIVE | Tracking the spread of coronavirus in Canada. Read more
COVID-19 au Canada : ce qu’il faut retenir aujourd’hui. ici.radio-canada.ca, 15 avril : Lire plus
Faux négatifs : 8 à 10 % des tests sont mal effectués, prévient une microbiologiste. ici.radio-canada.ca, 15 avril : Tous ceux qui ont des symptômes doivent poursuivre leur isolement, indépendamment des résultats du dépistage, rappelle la microbiologiste Kelly MacDonald. Lire plus
Health Canada says rapid blood test for COVID-19 remains under review. cbc.ca, Apr 12: CBC News has learned that tests such as the one made by Markham, Ont., company BTNX are on hold in this country, despite the fact that sales of the same test have been allowed to proceed in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe. Read more
Pharmacists struggle to fill gaps in strained health-care system. cbc.ca, Apr 14: Some Canadian pharmacists say they are struggling to fill gaps in a strained health-care system, leaving them to deal with a lot of patients who are anxious to avoid medical clinics and the ER. Read more
Alberta may circumvent Health Canada to gain access to COVID-19 tests and drugs, premier says. cbc.ca, Apr 14: Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada has 'significant concerns' about the quality of some tests. Read more
Saskatchewan's plan to reopen the economy could come next week: Moe. nationalpost.com, Apr 13: Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the government may soon release a plan on reopening the economy if COVID-19 case numbers remain low. Read more
Faire tomber les barrières en soins de santé. ledevoir.com, 14 avril [OPINION]: Au milieu de cette pandémie, de nombreux organismes gouvernementaux et professionnels dans des endroits ravagés par le coronavirus réévaluent la contribution des immigrants et des réfugiés qui possèdent une formation en soins de santé. Lire plus
Coronavirus: Parliament adopts COVID-19 wage subsidy bill. globalnews.ca, April 11: Parliament has approved a massive $73-billion wage subsidy program aimed at helping businesses and workers survive the economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Coronavirus guide: Updates and essential resources about the COVID-19 pandemic. theglobeandmail.com, April 13: The novel coronavirus has already killed more people than SARS in 2003, and with quarantines, travel restrictions and other measures, nations are mobilizing to save as many lives as possible. Here’s what you need to know. Read more
Canada so far avoids surge of COVID-19 patients that paralyzed hospitals in Italy, New York. theglobeandmail.com, April 13: Early signs show parts of Canada may be starting to flatten the curve, as the feared surge of COVID-19 patients overwhelming hospitals has so far failed to materialize. Read more
Health Canada approves new rapid COVID-testing kits. theglobeandmail.com, April 12 with update on April 13: Ottawa-based Spartan Bioscience received approval on the weekend and will be ready to start shipping tests for the federal and provincial governments as early as Monday, said Paul Lem, the company’s chief executive officer. Read more
Getting a grip on essential medical supplies. The Toronto Star, April 13: The drama over the N-95 masks is only the tip of the iceberg. Other materials are also in short supply, from surgical masks, face shields, gowns and gloves to therapeutic supplies such as test kits, denatured alcohol, certain medications and ventilators needed to help critically ill patients survive. Read more
Quebec wants to ready businesses for 'new world' of protectionism that will follow pandemic. cbc.ca, April 13: With global supply chains looking fragile, province is seeking ways to make economy more self-sufficient. Read more
Trudeau to highlight interest-free loans to help small businesses weather COVID-19 pandemic. cbc.ca, April 10: Parliament returns for rare Saturday sitting to push wage subsidy program through. Read more
Government documents reveal a slow start to Canada's COVID-19 response. cbc.ca, April 10: Briefing notes prepared by bureaucrats for federal ministers show just how quickly the COVID-19 situation evolved in Canada — with public health officials stating the risk of transmission in Canada was low right up until early March. Read more
We’ll have to accept that the best forecasts will still be imperfect. theglobeandmail.com, April 10: [Opinion Andre Picard]: The second thing all the projections had in common is that they had little in common […] The numbers that will make the headlines, however, are the most dubious ones: the longer-term projections. Read more
Trudeau opts to replace Bank of Canada Governor Poloz despite COVID-19 economic crisis theglobeandmail.com, April 10: Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz would have stayed on beyond his soon-to-expire term to help manage the long-term economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Liberal government never asked him, sources say. Read more
Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports. who.int, Apr 14: Situation Report – 85. Read more
More than 9,000 U.S. health-care workers have been infected with the coronavirus. washingtonpost.com, Apr 14: CDC report details how a Solano County, Calif., patient exposed 121 hospital staff, kicking off one of first-known cases of workplace transmission in the country. Read more
US may have to endure social distancing until 2022 if no vaccine is quickly found, scientists predict. cnn.com, Apr 14: That's according to researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who published their findings in the journal Science on Tuesday. Read more
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline collaborate to speed up coronavirus vaccine development. statnews.com, Apr 14: The French drug giant Sanofi said Tuesday that it plans to use technology from GlaxoSmithKline to accelerate the development of its experimental vaccine against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Read more
Coronavirus testing hits dramatic slowdown in U.S. politico.com, Apr 14: Despite efforts to expand, the continued glitches in the U.S. testing system are threatening to impede attempts to re-open the economy and return to normal life. Read more
Coronavirus live news. theguardian.com, Apr 15: Trump suspends WHO funding as Denmark begins to reopen schools. US to investigate World Health Organization’s response to crisis. Read more
Live updates. washingtonpost.com, Apr 15: Number of confirmed global cases passes 2m; Trump suspends WHO funding; Denmark begins to reopen schools; Spain’s daily death toll falls again. Read more
New York hospitals still searching for equipment. politico.com, Apr 14: Hospitals across New York City are still scrambling for life-saving equipment and protective gear, even as the crushing impact of the deadly coronavirus hints at easing up. Read more
Japanese hospitals can use spirits to beat sanitizer shortage. ctvnews.ca, Apr 15: Strong alcoholic drinks can be used "when absolutely necessary" instead of hand sanitizer in Japanese hospitals, authorities said, as supplies run dry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization to Decontaminate Millions of N95 Respirators. fda.gov, Apr 12: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) that has the potential to decontaminate approximately 4 million N95 or N95-equivalent respirators per day in the U.S. for reuse by health care workers in hospital settings. Read more
U.S. approves first saliva-based diagnostic test for COVID-19. globalnews.ca, Apr 13: Rutgers University researchers have received U.S. government clearance for the first saliva test to help diagnose COVID-19, a new approach that could help expand testing options and reduce risks of infection for health care workers. Read more
China tightens Russian border checks, approves coronavirus vaccine trials. theglobeandmail.com, Apr 14: China approves experimental coronavirus vaccine trials while tightening border with Russia. Read more
Spain, Austria ease curbs but WHO warns coronavirus 'certainly' has not peaked. ca.reuters.com, Apr 14: Spain and Austria allowed partial returns to work on Tuesday but Britain, France and India extended coronavirus lockdowns to try to rein in a pandemic which the World Health Organization warned had not yet peaked. Read more
Nine U.S. states to co-ordinate gradual reopening after coronavirus shutdown. theglobeandmail.com, Apr 13: A total of nine states on the U.S. East and West coasts said on Monday they had begun planning for the slow reopening of their economies and lifting of strict stay-at-home orders amid signs the worst had passed in the U.S. coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Study finds evidence of COVID-19 in air, on hospital surfaces. cidrap.umn.edu, Apr 13: A study published late last week in Emerging Infectious Diseases found a wide distribution of COVID-19 virus genetic material on surfaces and in the air about 4 meters (13 feet) from patients in two hospital wards in Wuhan, China, posing a risk to healthcare workers. Read more
Apple, Google bring coronavirus contact-tracing to 3 billion people. fortune.com, Apr 10: Apple Inc. and Google unveiled a rare partnership to add technology to their smartphone platforms that will alert users if they have come into contact with a person with COVID-19. Read more
117 million children risk missing measles vaccines due to COVID-19 pandemic. cbc.ca, Apr 14: WHO warns children should not 'permanently miss out' on vaccines despite temporary restrictions Read more
Homeland Security issues alert on cybercriminals increasingly exploiting COVID-19 pandemic. ada.org, Apr 14: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an alert April 8 warning that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to target individuals, small and medium businesses and large organizations. Read more
Diagnostic testing supply shortages threaten coronavirus response. axios.com, Apr 13: And experts say that for social distancing measures to be safely lifted, we’ll need to run millions of tests a week — the feasibility of which depends largely on having a resilient supply chain. Read more
COVID-19 China: Nation fights second wave of resurgent virus as cases grow. nationalpost.com, April 13: A total of 108 new coronavirus cases were reported in mainland China on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier, marking the highest daily tally since March 5. Read more
Coronavirus outbreak could reach its peak in the U.S. this week, CDC director says. theglobeandmail.com, April 13: The coronavirus outbreak could reach its peak in the United States this week, a top U.S. health official said on Monday, pointing to signs of stabilization across the country. Read more
WHO investigating reports of coronavirus patients testing positive again. thehill.com, April 11: The move is in response to a report from South Korea on Friday that 91 patients who had been cleared of COVID-19 and were being prepared for discharge tested positive again. Read more
Painkillers and sedatives may reach 'critical shortage': emergency physicians' group. ctvnews.ca, Apr 14: Painkillers and sedatives are potentially weeks away from a “critical shortage,” the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) said in a news release Tuesday. Read more
Sharp, deep, and unprecedented – The Conference Board of Canada releases its Provincial Economic Outlook. conferenceboard.ca, Apr 15: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada is in the midst of an economic downturn unlike anything most of us have ever experienced. Read more
Ontario scaled back comprehensive, annual inspections of nursing homes to only a handful last year. cbc.ca, Apr 15: … CBC News has learned that last year, only nine out of 626 homes in Ontario actually received so-called resident quality inspections (RQIs). Read more
Crunch time on the vegetable farm: For foreign workers and owners, coronavirus accelerates a race against the seasons. theglobeandmail.com, Apr 14: The next few weeks are make-or-break for Canadian crops, and labourers from overseas are starting at a disadvantage due to quarantine measures. Here’s what’s at stake for them, their employers and our food supply. Read more
More young people vaping, despite growing evidence of risks. theconversation.com, Apr 13: Vaping use is on the rise in young people, with as many as one in five junior and secondary school students reporting use of vaping products in 2019. Read more
COVID-19 shouldn't overshadow ongoing fight against TB, Inuit leaders say. cbc.ca, Apr 12: Tuberculosis rate of infection for Inuit roughly 300 times higher than the rest of Canada. Read more
Worst month for Toronto overdose deaths since March 2019 as COVID-19 measures strain addictions system. thestar.com, Apr 13: Recent data from Toronto Paramedic Services shows the highest number of overdose-related fatalities in a month since March 2019. Read more
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