Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Nov. 8

The latest:

• Global cases top 50 million.
• Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan set daily increase records.
• Manitoba calls for investigation into outbreaks at Winnipeg care homes.
• Nunavut confirms 2nd case, says in 'same household' as territory's 1st.
• U.S. sets another record for new cases with more than 126,000.
• Polypropylene is now recommended in masks. Should I be concerned? Your mask questions answered.
• Have a coronavirus question or news tip for CBC News? Email us at COVID@cbc.ca.

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in parts of Canada, with multiple provinces setting records for single-day increase in new coronavirus infections.

Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said in a statement on Sunday that several regions are "experiencing accelerated growth" and asked Canadians to step up containment efforts.

She again urged for a collective effort to reduce cases by limiting close contacts to only those in your household, wearing a mask and adapting events to mitigate COVID-19 risks, such as commemorating Veterans' Week virtually.

"What comes next for us this Fall and Winter is for everyone of us to determine, through our decisions and actions," Tam said. "Let's bring COVID-19 down, together."

What's happening across Canada

As of 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, provinces and territories in Canada had reported a cumulative total of 264,113 confirmed or presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 215,005 cases as recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial reports, regional health information and CBC's reporting stood at 10,522.

In British Columbia, new restrictions are in place for residents in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, where cases of COVID-19 have surged in recent weeks. The orders came into effect at 10 p.m. Saturday and will last for a two-week period, until Monday Nov. 23 at noon. Some businesses and individuals complained the new restrictions were unclear and vague. On Sunday, the Ministry of Health clarified the new regulations.

WATCH | New restrictions in B.C. aimed at tackling COVID-19 spike:

B.C. implements tough restrictions to battle COVID-19 spike

4 years ago

Duration 1:45

B.C. has suddenly implemented its most stringent restrictions in some areas to battle COVID-19 since it reopened in May, but there are concerns they aren't strong enough, or long enough, to make a real impact.

Alberta reported 727 new cases and six new deaths.

Manitoba recorded 441 new cases and three more deaths on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Cameron Friesen called for an independent investigation into two Winnipeg care homes that have become the sites of deadly outbreaks. That investigation will focus on a Friday night incident at the Maples Long Term Care Home that saw paramedics called to the site to care for 12 residents whose conditions were rapidly deteriorating, Friesen said at a news conference.

Ontario reached a new daily high of 1,328 on Sunday and setting a single-day record for a second consecutive day. 

A new colour-coded assessment system went into effect on Saturday. Only Peel Region was deemed a red zone, while other hot spots such as York Region and Ottawa were labelled orange.

Regions in the red category have, among other things, indoor restaurant dining limited to 10 people and gyms limited to 10 people indoors. The orange level limits bars and restaurants to 50 people indoors, with no more than four seated together.

WATCH | Peel Region deemed red zone under Ontario's new pandemic plan:

Peel Region to move to Red–Control level of Ontario’s pandemic plan

4 years ago

Duration 0:56

Earlier this week, the province rolled out its new tiered, colour-coded COVID-19 restriction framework. The red zone is less restrictive than the current modified Stage 2: restaurants and bars can serve indoors but only 10 customers are allowed inside, and gyms can open with restrictions.

Quebec once again set a record for the highest single-day increase in cases with 1,397.

The province also reported nine more deaths.

In a tweet, Health Minister Christian Dubé pointed out that cases are trending up, and said the situation is worrisome in regions such as Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Lanaudière, which account for 155 and 182 of the new cases, respectively.

Saskatchewan reported 159 new cases and one additional death, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,122 and the number of deaths to 28. The 159 new cases is the highest reported number of COVID-19 for one day in Saskatchewan. 

Nova Scotia announced four new cases, two of which are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The other two cases are close contacts of previously reported cases, according to a news release.

New Brunswick record an additional case in the Fredericton region, bringing the active cases total in the province to 24.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new case, the source of which is currently under investigation by health officials. 

Prince Edward Island still has only two active cases, which were announced by the province on Friday.

Nunavut confirmed a second case in the territory on Sunday. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson in a statement said "the individual is part of the same household as the first positive case" in Sanikiluaq — which was confirmed on Friday — but noted "there is no evidence at this time of community transmission."

What's happening around the world

As of Sunday morning, more than 50 million of COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 32.8 million of those listed as recovered, according to a coronavirus tracking tool maintained by Johns Hopkins University. The global death toll stood at more than 1.2 million, the U.S.-based university reported.

In Europe, Greek health authorities announced 1,914 new cases of the new coronavirus, including a record 35 deaths, on Sunday. Authorities said that of the country's 1,063 intensive care units, 734 were occupied, 259 with coronavirus patients. The rapid filling of such places was one of the reasons the country was placed on lockdown Saturday.

In Asia, India has reported 45,674 new coronavirus infections, with the capital coping with a sharp surge of nearly 7,000 cases a day this past week. Despite seeing an overall dip nationwide, the tally in New Delhi continues to hover at around 7,000 a day, after dropping to nearly 1,000 in September. 

In the Americas, the U.S. has set another record for new cases with more than 126,000 positive cases, and also saw more than 1,000 deaths. It marked the fourth day in a row that new cases topped more than 100,000 as the country has broken its own record for daily cases with nearly every passing day this week.

In Africa, the continent has seen more than 1.8 million confirmed infections and more than 44,000 deaths. South Africa leads the continent on both counts, with more than 735,000 infections and more than 19,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.