COVID-19

Ontario's elementary students and many high schoolers will return to traditional classrooms full time in September, the provincial government announced Thursday. But the province's new back-to-school plan indicates that high school students at two dozen boards—including the Toronto District School Board—will only attend class half the time in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, with a maximum class size of 15.

“Not all heroes wear capes.”—It’s an expression often found on the internet. It, of course, refers to the fact that you don’t have to be Batwoman or Superman or whoever, to do some good in this world. During the Great Pandemic of 2020 of course this phrase is often used to describe those of us who provide healthcare on the front lines. Cleary, the physicians, nurses, first responders, PSWs, support staff, environmental services staff and many others who provide front line care during this historically difficult time are heroes.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca repeated its promise not to profit from a COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic as it reported it was on track with late-stage trials for the treatment. Such promises were boosted by strong sales across its range of treatments during lockdown. Sales jumped by 14% to $12.6 billion in the first six months of 2020 and were helped by strong trading in new medicines, as well as cancer and respiratory medication.

A new study shows that moist heat treatment of N95 masks eliminates severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and bacteria, which would allow reuse of these scarce resources. The study is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Handwashing, disinfecting and distancing more important than PPE based on what's happening so far in Australia and New Zealand.

Povidone-iodine gargle–mouthwash might be useful in reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in dental practices

An employee at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Kelowna, B.C., tested positive for COVID-19, according to a list of cases maintained by Loblaws, Shoppers' parent company.

The government of Alberta has given patients the ability to create their own secure messaging account to connect with healthcare providers. Brightsquid Secure-Mail has been integrated into the provincial MyHealth Records (MHR) portal. Patients registered for MHR can create their own Secure-Mail account to communicate virtually with community healthcare providers.