COVID-19

As the clock ticks down to September, a new poll suggests many Canadian parents are on the fence about whether to send their kids to school if and when classrooms are reopened. The poll by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies comes as provincial governments are working on how to get students back into classrooms, most of which have been shuttered since mid-March due to COVID-19.

Active discussions are taking place to potentially pre-order COVID-19 vaccine doses for Canadians, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday. She said an independent vaccine task force is advising the government on options for Canada's choice of vaccine, including exploring the possibility of manufacturing a potential pandemic cure at home.

Idea behind harmonization is to ensure Canadians have the same type of care no matter where they live.

Vaccinologists have not focused their research on tailoring vaccines to induce robust immune responses in the elderly

Health Canada has approved the use of remdesivir to treat patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19. The federal agency says the antiviral drug may be used to treat patients who have pneumonia and require extra oxygen to help them breathe. It's the first drug that Health Canada has authorized for the treatment of COVID-19. Health Canada approved its use in adults and adolescents.

In support of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and as part of the province's plan to end hallway health care, the Ontario government is announcing five new Ontario Health Teams and is providing additional funding to better connect care. "Over the past several months, Ontario Health Teams have demonstrated remarkable responsiveness to the COVID-19 outbreak by simplifying the purchase of personal protective equipment, supporting the staffing of long-term care homes and assessment centers, and expanding virtual care options," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a press release. "They've done so by breaking down long-standing barriers to better connect care, both in support of patients and our brave frontline heroes. (This) announcement of five new teams will build on this success as we continue to implement our plan to defeat COVID-19."

Protesters also come out against mandatory masking legislation which took effect Monday