COVID-19: Canada and World – Winnipeg Free Press

FILE --People wear face masks to protect themself against the coronavirus as they leave and get on board of a subway train in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Germany's health minister says the country will soon drop a mask mandate in long-distance trains and buses, one of the country’s last remaining COVID-19 restrictions. Rules for local transport are a matter for Germany’s 16 state governments. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn,file)

Germany to scrap mask mandate in long-distance transport

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

BERLIN (AP) — Germany will soon drop a mask mandate on long-distance trains and buses, one of the country's last remaining COVID-19 restrictions, the health minister said Friday.

The mandate will be dropped on Feb. 2, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced in Berlin.

Other European countries already have scrapped mask mandates in public transport, and Lauterbach faced increasing pressure to follow suit in recent weeks. Masks remain mandatory in doctors’ practices, while masks and negative tests are still required to enter hospitals and nursing homes.

Rules for local transportation are a matter for Germany’s 16 state governments, and an increasing number have dropped or are dropping their mask mandates. Some also have scrapped rules requiring infected people to isolate at home.

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Alberta premier backs off on promise to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators

Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Alberta premier backs off on promise to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators

Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, less than three months after promising to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, says she will now let justice take its course while also announcing she is regularly contacting Crown prosecutors about these cases.

“The way our system of justice works is we do have an independent justice department and independent Crown prosecutors,” Smith told reporters Thursday when asked why she has not followed through on the pardon commitment.

“As we continue to see some of these cases go through — some of them get dropped, some of them fail — (prosecutors) have to consistently recalibrate, but I do want to make sure they have an independent process for assessing that.

“But I ask them on a regular basis, as new cases come out, is it in the public interest to pursue and is there a reasonable likelihood of conviction?”

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gives an Alberta government update in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who promised less than three months ago to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, now says she will let justice take its course. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EU court: Tourists may get refunds over COVID measures

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

EU court: Tourists may get refunds over COVID measures

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

BERLIN (AP) — Travelers whose package tours were ruined by the imposition of restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to at least a partial refund, the European Union's highest court said Thursday.

The European Court of Justice weighed in after being asked for its opinion by a court in Germany.

The Munich court is considering the case of two people who bought a two-week package vacation for the Spanish island of Gran Canaria starting on March 13, 2020, just as the pandemic hit Europe. They are seeking a 70% reduction in the price because of restrictions that were imposed there two days later and their early return.

When the restrictions were imposed on March 15, beaches were closed, a curfew put in place and the plaintiffs were allowed to leave their hotel room only to eat, the EU court said. On March 18, they were told to be ready to leave at any moment, and two days after that they had to return to Germany.

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

FILE - Travelers wait in line outside the terminal building to check in and board flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, on June 21, 2022. Travelers whose package tours were ruined by the imposition of restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to at least a partial refund, the European Union's highest court said Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Mississippi reports 14th death of a child due to COVID-19

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mississippi reports 14th death of a child due to COVID-19

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A 14th Mississippi child has died from COVID-19, the state's department of health said Wednesday.

The infant under the age of one was the most recent child to die in Mississippi. The child was the first person under 18 to die from COVID-19 in the state in 2023. According to state department of health data, eight children between the ages of 11 and 17 have died since the first cases of the virus were identified in 2020, making that age range the most prone to pediatric deaths in the state so far.

Dr. Paul Byers, the state epidemiologist, said the death should serve as a reminder for residents to get vaccinated and to make sure that they are up to date on booster shots to protect against the virus.

“Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects those around you who may not be eligible for vaccination or who may be at higher risk for complications due to age or underlying health problems,” Byers said in a news release. “It is important to stay up to date and receive the most recent bivalent booster when eligible in order to provide the best protection against infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.”

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

FILE - State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers, right, listens to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, left, at a news briefing, Aug. 24, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. The state's Department of Health said Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, that the 14th Mississippi child has died from COVID-19. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Provinces look to cleanse storerooms of expired hand sanitizer sent by Ottawa

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Provinces look to cleanse storerooms of expired hand sanitizer sent by Ottawa

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Provinces are awash with expired hand sanitizer that Ottawa sent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal government spent $376 million on more than 21 million litres of hand sanitizer, which the Public Health Agency of Canada distributed throughout the pandemic. More than eight million litresweredistributed to provinces and territories, the agency said in an email Wednesday.

But now, most provinces have excess expired sanitizer and getting rid of it through disposal or repurposing comes with a hefty cost.

Saskatchewan is expecting to spend more than $100,000 to get rid of more than 350,000 litres of hand sanitizer that’s sitting in a Regina warehouse. Manitoba spent more than $462,000 to repurpose its nearly 734,000 litres and British Columbia spent more than $645,000.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Hand sanitizer, face masks and wipes are available at the entrance of a Service Canada office Tuesday July 7, 2020 in Gatineau, Quebec. Provinces are awash with expired hand sanitizer that Ottawa sent them during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Cyprus to require COVID-19 tests for all arrivals from China

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The government of Cyprus said Wednesday it will require all passengers arriving from China to produce evidence of a negative coronavirus test as the Asian country grapples with a nationwide COVID-19 outbreak.

The Health Ministry said it was heeding the advice of the European Union’s executive arm in requiring passengers to submit results from a PCR test taken 48 hours before their departure date.

The ministry also recommended the use of a protective face mask on all flights to and from Cyprus as well as any areas where people gather in large numbers.

The Cypriot government said the measures would take effect beginning Sunday, Jan. 15.

China preparing to expand airline service to United States

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

China preparing to expand airline service to United States

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese air travel regulator is preparing to allow airlines to fly more routes between China and the United States following the lifting of anti-virus travel restrictions, state TV reported Wednesday.

U.S. and Chinese airlines are among some 40 carriers that have submitted applications covering some 700 flights per week involving 34 countries, China Central Television reported on its website. It gave no timeline for when normal flights might resume.

China suspended most airline flights and other travel into and out of the country following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.

Most restrictions on movement have been dropped. On Sunday, the first passengers were allowed to fly into China without being quarantined after arrival.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

FILE - A passenger checks her phone as an Air China passenger jet taxi past at the Beijing Capital International airport in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Chinese air travel regulator is preparing to allow airlines to fly more routes between China and the United States following the lifting of anti-virus travel restrictions, state TV reported Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

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Japan, South Korea protest China visa stoppage in COVID spat

Mari Yamaguchi And Kim Tong-hyung, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Japan, South Korea protest China visa stoppage in COVID spat

Mari Yamaguchi And Kim Tong-hyung, The Associated Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea defended their public health restrictions on travelers from China on Wednesday, a day after China stopped issuing new visas in both countries in apparent retaliation.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said he finds it “significantly regrettable” that China stopped issuing short-term visas to South Koreans and called for China to align its pandemic steps with “scientific and objective facts.”

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno criticized China for “one-sidedly” restricting visa issuances to Japanese nationals “because of a reason that is not related to COVID-19 measures.”

China’s Foreign Ministry threatened countermeasures last week against countries that had announced new virus testing requirements for travelers from China following a surge in COVID-19 infections there. It remained unclear whether China would expand the visa suspensions to others that have imposed stricter virus testing on passengers from China.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters

David A. Lieb, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters

David A. Lieb, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters.

The broadened spending authority for the previously approved pandemic aid was one of many of provisions wrapped into a recently enacted $1.7 trillion spending bill for the federal government's 2023 budget year. It comes after city, county and state officials lobbied for more than a year for greater flexibility in how they can use a $350 billion pool of aid approved by President Joe Biden and the Democratic-led Congress in March 2021.

The American Rescue Plan act included federal aid for all levels of government — from states and territories down to tiny towns and villages — that was intended to help cover the costs of responding to COVID-19, shore up government finances and invest in longer-term projects to strengthen communities.

Though the program had considerable flexibility as originally implemented by the U.S. Treasury Department, some uses for the money remained limited. The newly expanded spending options are expected to take effect by late February, after the Treasury releases updated guidance.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

FILE - Traffic is seen near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City, N.J., April 27, 2017. State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

WHO Europe: no immediate COVID-19 threat from China

The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The director of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said Tuesday that the agency sees “no immediate threat" for the European region from a COVID-19 outbreak in China, but more information is needed.

China is battling a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions.

Hans Kluge said that, based on the information WHO had received from china, there was no threat, but more detailed and regular information was required from China to monitor the evolving situation.

“We cannot be complacent,” he added.

China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat

Ken Moritsugu, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat

Ken Moritsugu, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese embassies stopped issuing new visas for South Koreans and Japanese on Tuesday in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 measures recently imposed by those countries on travelers from China.

It wasn’t clear whether China would expand the visa suspensions to other countries that have imposed virus testing on passengers from China following its COVID-19 surge.

The embassies in Tokyo and Seoul announced the suspensions in brief online notices.

The Seoul notice, posted on the embassy's WeChat social media account, said the ban would continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory entry measures” against China. The announcement covered tourist, business and some other visas.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Travelers wearing face masks wait for their luggage in the international arrivals area at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. The first international travelers are arriving in China without the mandatory quarantine that had been imposed at the start of the pandemic three years ago after restrictions were lifted beginning on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

China economy recovering but hampered by virus outbreaks

Joe Mcdonald, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

China economy recovering but hampered by virus outbreaks

Joe Mcdonald, The Associated Press 6 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — Wang Jian is anxious to get back to work teaching basketball to children now that China has lifted anti-COVID-19 restrictions. But his gym in the eastern city of Shenyang has been closed for a month because all its coaches are infected.

The most optimistic forecasts say China's business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year. But before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in virus cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms.

“I hope the situation will turn around in March or April with no more COVID shocks,” said Wang, 33, who went without a paycheck for four months when the gym closed during virus outbreaks. “If parents worry about possible reinfection, they simply won’t send their children for training.”

The abrupt decision by President Xi Jinping's government to end controls that shut down factories and kept millions of people at home will move up the timeline for economic recovery, but might disrupt activity this year as businesses scramble to adapt, forecasters say.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

A man and a child wearing face masks walk by shuttered stores on Jan. 3, 2023, which would be selling souvenirs in Qianmen, a popular tourist spot in Beijing. China’s business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year, but before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Wife of ‘American Horror Story’ driver sues over COVID death

The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

BOSTON (AP) — The wife of a late Massachusetts man is suing the companies involved in the 2021 production of “American Horror Story” on Cape Cod, alleging their lack of precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 led to his death.

In a lawsuit filed last week in federal court in Boston, Patricia Woodward, of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, alleges that Twentieth Television, Ryan Murphy Productions and the Walt Disney Co. failed to follow their own COVID-19 safety protocols when filming in Provincetown in early 2021.

Paul Woodward worked as a passenger van driver, shuttling crew between the hotel and various filming sites. He tested negative when he began working on the project in February 2021. He left the project for the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms in mid-March. He died of COVID-19 on April 18. He was 67, according to an obituary.

“He passed away on the morning of our 25th anniversary,” wife Patricia Woodward said in an interview with NBC10 Boston. “So that day, instead of going out to dinner or having champagne, I had to go to the funeral home and look for a casket for him.”

‘Kraken’ subvariant name beats ‘alphabet soup’ moniker for XBB.1.5: biologist

Camille Bains, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

‘Kraken’ subvariant name beats ‘alphabet soup’ moniker for XBB.1.5: biologist

Camille Bains, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

As cases of the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 increased in some countries, a Canadian evolutionary biologist says he saw the need for a nickname to spark interest in notable lineages instead of hard-to-remember strings of letters and numbers.

Ryan Gregory of the University of Guelph dubbed the latest subvariant Kraken, the name of a Scandinavian mythological sea creature, as more people fell ill with XBB.1.5 in the northeast United States last month. The Centers for Disease Control estimates the subvariant makes up the majority of cases in that region.

The name Kraken was agreed upon by Gregory's "eclectic" online community of global "variant trackers," including those who do wastewater analysis as well as citizen scientists who sift through data to identify new mutations.

Gregory says the group adopted monikers for previous Omicron subvariants — Gryphon (XBB), a creature that is a mix of a lion and an eagle and Hippogryph (XBB.1), a combination of Gryphon and a horse. Kraken is the latest addition to the XBB family of subvariants and is a combination of two earlier subtypes.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

A colorized electron microscope image, in November 2022, shows cells, indicated in purple, infected with the Omicron strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, orange, isolated from a patient sample, captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Md. As cases of the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 increase in some countries, Ryan Gregory, a University of Guelph evolutionary biologist, says he saw the need to come up with nicknames like Kraken to spark interest in notable lineages in place of hard-to-remember strings of letters and numbers.THE CANADIAN PRESS/NIAID-NIH via AP

Pfizer’s Paxlovid not included in China’s national insurance

Huizhong Wu, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Pfizer’s Paxlovid not included in China’s national insurance

Huizhong Wu, The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Chinese health care authorities declined to include Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment drug in a national reimbursement list that would have allowed patients to get it at a cheaper price throughout the country, saying it was too expensive.

Paxlovid, an oral medicine developed by New York-based drugmaker Pfizer, has been widely sought after in China since the country began phasing out its “zero-COVID” restrictions and a surge of infections started sweeping through the country. Although it is supposed to be prescribed by medical professionals, that hasn't stopped people from scrambling to purchase it on their own through any means at their disposal — including buying generic Indian versions of the drug through the internet, according to local media reports.

Health care policymakers can leverage bulk purchases to lower prices in negotiations with pharmaceutical companies that, in turn, can net a steady source of revenue. A drug must be included on the reimbursement list to be covered by the national insurance scheme. China will include two other COVID-19 drugs, the Chinese-made antiviral Azvudine and the Chinese herbal blend medicine Qingfei Paidu Granules, the National Healthcare Security Administration said in a statement Sunday.

Paxlovid will still be available for use for those patients who can afford it. Paxlovid and Azvudine are prescription drugs used to prevent mild COVID-19 cases from becoming more severe.

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Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening

The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening

The Associated Press 7 minute read Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023

BEIJING (AP) — After years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure to be among the first in line following the reopening Sunday of border crossing points.

The ability of residents of the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city to cross over is one of the most visible signs of China’s easing of border restrictions imposed almost three years ago, with travelers arriving from abroad no longer required to undergo expensive and time-consuming quarantines.

That comes even as the virus continues to spread in China amid what critics say is a lack of transparency from Beijing.

“I’m hurrying to get back to her,” Cheung, lugging a heavy suitcase, told The Associated Press as he prepared to cross at Lok Ma Chau station, which was steadily filling with eager travelers.

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Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023

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