Global National: Feb. 19, 2021 | Variants could push COVID-19 cases to 20,000 per day in Canada

There’s a new warning tonight about the highly contagious variants and fears they could drive a COVID-19 resurgence of COVID-19 infections across this country. New modelling shows there are fewer than 33,000 active cases across this country right now. That’s a 60 per cent drop compared to a month ago. And Deaths are down 58 per cent. But the spread of dangerous mutations threatens to reverse that progress.

Canada’s chief public health officer says a more stringent approach is needed. In January at the peak of the pandemic, Canada had 8,000 cases a day, but factor in the variants and Dr. Theresa Tam predicts we could have 20,000 cases a day in a third wave. Abigail Bimman has more.

The Ontario government has extended its strict stay-at-home orders in three of the province’s COVID-19 hot spots. Toronto, Peel and the North Bay area will be under lockdown for at least another two weeks. Infection rates are high and there are major concerns over how more transmissible variants are circulating in the communities. But as Eric Sorensen reports, there’s a real divide among health officials over when to reopen.

Starting on Monday all air travellers returning from non-essential international trips will have to isolate in an approved facility at their own expense. Today the federal government released a list of 11 approved hotels where travellers will spend their mandatory three-day quarantine. But as Mike Drolet explains, some Canadians have found legal loopholes.

Older adults are still the most vulnerable to COVID-19, but there’s growing evidence that the virus has a significant impact on children. Researchers are finding that initially mild infections can have long lasting effects on kids. Heather Yourex-West reports.

A House of Commons committee is looking into the allegations against Canada’s former top soldier. Gen. Jonathan Vance is accused of inappropriate behaviour with two female subordinates. Several top officials including Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan were asked about what the knew and why there was no investigation. Mercedes Stephenson has more.

Today the European Space Agency put out a call for new astronauts and as Crystal Goomansingh reports, the job will expand your horizons.

#GlobalNews #COVID #Coronavirus

[CanadianPrepper]

How can anyone believe Justin T actually is "dreading" a third wave, the guy is loving every minute of this autocratic form of governance.

[myraboudens]

Funny how the numbers keep dropping, even though there modeling sad they should be climbing. Sounds like more fear mongering to me.

[TM-frgh]

Dr Teresa tam will keep telling us it's going to get worse and worse until Huawei executive is released.

[freddexta]

Public health officials were at a loss trying to explain Tam's graphs at a house of Commons health committee meeting this afternoon where questions were asked about how Tam arrived at her dramatic numbers. So these are the people setting our guidelines, hmmm....why am I not greatly comforted by that thought.

[raysteel]

How did we ever let this happen as a country, as a world?? The masses being controlled so badly by the so few??? How has this ever made sense.

[TM-frgh]

When did "flatten the curve" turn into "zero cases" ?

[arianala]

hahahahha like they said 20k for mid february right lmfao

[adjacent-smith]

It's a frightening picture when you weaponize the flu

[SovranMonk]

the pandemic funding lasts until 2025, always follow the money

[mikekovacs]

Is the justification for lockdowns number of cases or the overwhelming of the health care system? Logic says that as the most vulnerable to the virus are vaccinated, that the system should be able to tolerate a higher number of cases.

[Homoprimatesapiens]

The global song stays the same everywhere. Who compose the song and who is the conductor? Yes WHO??

[BrendanRiley]

Not sure why Robyn says the hotel quarantine penalties apply only to non-essential travel: aid workers, extended family reunification, or Canadians returning from LIVING abroad are all targeted unfairly by the measure and have not received exemptions or even fee-exemptions.

[benhuffington]

FEAR on every channel. On every radio station. I watch under a minute a week, and what i see, makes me sick.

[scottythegreat]

@5:11 Niagara 35/100, 000 cases: Grey zone. Average in Ontario 53/100, 000 most regions: Red zone. York Region 68/100, 000 Red Zone

[jeffersonprice]

Who the hell are all these people getting tested? Where are they?

[alvintoda]

There is no story here. The minister is merely saying the obvious that everyone is under investigation and it's up to the investigators to ask the questions that they need to ask.

[mikefernandez]

Mr. Trudeau your saying about 3 Wave where are the vaccine Hahahahahahahahaa

[dave]

Keep reporting the cases, Global and promoting the fear. You are complicit in the destruction of this country.

[robdutchin]

GLOBAL! Your camera guy is filming 2 young girls who had covid walking outside not social distancing without masks on!!!! WHAT! STOP.

[BriggsLife]

Oh no!!! More CASES! This will be the most cases ever! CASES! Did someone say CASES!!!