Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Saturday
Alberta confirms 1st case of blood clot after AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine use
The latest:
- Alberta confirms 1st case of blood clot after AstraZeneca vaccine use.
- Ontario backtracks on new policing powers, closing playgrounds.
- Outbreak in Iqaluit now at 19 active cases.
- Worldwide COVID-19 death toll tops three million.
- Track how many people have been given the COVID-19 vaccine across Canada.
Alberta has confirmed its first case of a rare blood clot linked to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The case was identified in a man in his 60s after receiving the vaccine, according to a statement released by Alberta's chief medical officer of health on Saturday.
"I continue to recommend AstraZeneca for anyone who is 55 and older, and to recommend that all Albertans get vaccinated as soon as they are able," Dr. Deena Hinshaw said.
"It is the best way to protect your health and the health of those around you."
Today, we announced a case of a rare blood clot disorder linked to the AZ vaccine. The patient was diagnosed, treated promptly and is recovering. Now that we know about this rare side effect we can watch for it and reduce the risk of serious harm or death even further. (1of5)
—@CMOH_AlbertaThe man has received treatment and is recovering. The case marks only the second instance of the rare blood clot in Canada after more than 700,000 doses, Hinshaw said.
Hinshaw spoke at length earlier this week about the rarity of these cases, especially compared with the severe outcomes from COVID-19.
She said the global frequency of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) has been estimated at about one in 100,000 to 250,000 doses of vaccine.
What's happening elsewhere across Canada
As of 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Canada had reported 1,113,913 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 86,763 considered active. A CBC News tally of deaths stood at 23,591.
Saskatchewan announced its full COVID-19 update has been delayed on Saturday, but preliminary numbers show 249 new cases and two more deaths.
Manitoba registered 183 new cases on Saturday — the most since January — and three more deaths.
In Ontario, the provincial government walked back some of its new policing powers that it announced Friday.
In a statement Saturday, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said officers will no longer have the right to stop any pedestrian or vehicle to ask why they are out or request their home address.
"If a police officer or other provincial offences officer has reason to suspect that you are participating in an organized public event or social gathering, they may require you to provide information to ensure you are complying with restrictions," Jones said
Several police forces had already said they do not intend to make use of the additional powers.
Earlier, Premier Doug Ford backtracked on restricting access to playgrounds. Ford initially announced the measure on Friday, along with new powers for police, in an effort to curb the spike of COVID-19 in the province, which saw 4,362 new cases, along with 34 deaths on Saturday.
Quebec confirmed 1,537 new cases and eight more deaths on Saturday.
In Montreal, local and provincial health officials are calling on everyone over the age of 55 to get their first shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, with 20,000 doses available at drop-in centres in Montreal this weekend.
Trucks equipped with loudspeakers will be driving around some Montreal neighbourhoods, including Côte-des-Neiges, in the coming days, encouraging residents to head to the drop-in sites.
WATCH | Demand for AstraZeneca vaccine not increasing with rising COVID-19 cases:
Prince Edward Island has now seen its first COVID-19 hospitalization. Provincial officials told CBC News the person is between the ages of 40 and 49, and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said the person involved was a previously confirmed case with a recent history of travel outside Atlantic Canada.
Nova Scotia reported eight new cases on Saturday, while New Brunswick added 11.
In Nunavut, an outbreak in Iqaluit has grown by six new infections. There are now 19 active cases in the territorial capital.
WATCH | Iqaluit hit with 1st COVID-19 outbreak:
What's happening around the world
As of Saturday, more than 140 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to a Johns Hopkins University database.
The global death toll from COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus first reported in central China at the end of 2019, has now surpassed three million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.
In the Americas, hospitals in Brazil are running out of critical sedatives, leading to reports of some doctors diluting what supplies remain and even tying patients to their beds while breathing tubes are pushed down their throats.
WATCH | Bolsonaro refuses to lock down as Brazil approaches grisly milestone:
In Asia, authorities in Pakistan have decided to start vaccinating people aged 50 to 59 next week, hours after the country reported more than 100 fatalities in a single day for the fifth consecutive day.
In Europe, Italy will ease curbs in many areas beginning April 26 but warned caution was still needed to avoid any reversals in the reopening of many long-shuttered activities.
In Africa, Zimbabwe has begun releasing about 3,000 prisoners under a presidential amnesty aimed at easing congestion to reduce the threat of COVID-19 in the country's overcrowded jails.
With files from The Associated and Reuters
