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Month: July 2021

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Why Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine results represent more good news for Canada

Jul 22, 2021 , , , , by shlf

A second company touting the results of its potential COVID-19 vaccine Monday represents particularly good news for Canada.

Citing early results, Massachusetts-based Moderna said its vaccine candidate could be as much as 94.5 per cent effective. The announcement follows results reported by that hinted at as much as 90 per cent immunity for that company’s vaccine candidate.

Canada already has a contract in place for 56 million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 20 million doses of Pfizer’s candidate, should they complete testing and receive Health Canada approval.

The new Moderna results are an early look at the final stage of human testing, but the trial isn’t done yet, so things could change. While results have been examined by an independent data safety monitoring board, they have yet to be published or peer reviewed.

At this point, the company says its results show no major safety concerns. Some volunteers reported mild or moderate symptoms, such as fatigue or headache.

“This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible,” Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna, said in a statement.

Both Pfizer and Moderna are using a new technology that relies on mRNA to make their vaccines. Their doses include a tiny recipe for spike protein DNA, and, in theory, will prompt the recipient’s immune system to fight off future coronavirus infections. Because of the similarity in approaches, many experts were anticipating the two vaccines would see similar efficacy rates.

While RNA is a technology that has been considered promising for awhile, it has had one major drawback: the fact that doses have had to be stored at a temperature as cold as -80 C, which means an eventual distributor would need access to refrigerators and trucks .

But Moderna said Monday that its candidate remains stable at 2 to 8 C, which is about the same as a normal refrigerator, for 30 days.

“We believe that our investments in mRNA delivery technology and manufacturing process development will allow us to store and ship our COVID-19 vaccine candidate at temperatures commonly found in readily available pharmaceutical freezers and refrigerators,” chief technical operations and quality officer Juan Andres said in a release.

Pfizer’s and Moderna’s are two of the seven candidate vaccines for which the federal government has locked down advance purchase agreements. Most of the candidates are being developed by companies in the U.S. and Europe, but one Canadian company, , is expanding its trials on Canadian volunteers this week.

Canada’s vaccine-procurement strategy can be best described as putting . If all seven candidates were to be approved, Canada would be entitled to a minimum of 358 million doses of vaccine.

Most of the vaccine candidates will require two doses per person, but that is still almost enough to vaccinate everyone in the country five times.

That said, getting a working vaccine is only the first step. Once a vaccine has its final testing results, Health Canada must decide whether to approve it.

Then, millions of doses have to be manufactured — a process that is already scaling up — and the government will have to figure out how to distribute it across the country. The federal government is currently trying to find a to take on that task. Actual vaccination programs will be run by the provinces and territories.

After Pfizer announced promising results last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he expects the first vaccine doses to land as early as the beginning of next year.

Correction — Nov. 16, 2020 — This article has been updated to reflect new statements from Moderna on the storage requirements of its vaccine. As well, Canada would be entitled to a minimum of 358 million doses, not 358 doses, of vaccine if all seven vaccine candidates were to be approved.

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Midland high school finding unique ways to adapt to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

Jul 22, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the school year, the show will go on.

Georgian Bay District Secondary School teachers and students have found interesting ways to adapt to the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of extracurricular activities have been cancelled, GBDSS will still have a school band and will still produce a school play.

“Last spring, our school musical was cancelled due to COVID-19. This year, we knew we needed to do something that was pandemic proof,” said Betony Main, a teacher in the arts department.

In March, students will be putting on a production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” a popular play that has been adapted for livestreaming.

“It will be done entirely via livestream, with each character in their own window,” said Main. “It won’t be on a stage with actors interacting in real space.”

Each actor will be set up separately in the school with a computer and webcam. The program StreamYard will allow for complete control of the show, including which windows appear and where they appear on screen.

“We have 35 actors. It is going to be tricky, but we are excited for the challenge,” said Main.

Auditions have wrapped up and students have started rehearsals. For now, they are just learning their lines and roles. The technical aspect will be tackled later.

“I’m glad we adapted to the current situation,” said Grade 12 student Chloe Winborne. “I am so excited that we still get to do a play this year.”

When students arrived back at school in September, many were unsure how the year would unfold. It wasn’t going to be normal, and extracurriculars weren’t a given.

“I thought we might somehow pull off a spring play, but knew we weren’t going to have other smaller productions,” said Grade 12 student Sarah Larmand. “I’m really happy we have a play we can all be a part of for our last year of high school.”

Students were also thrilled to discover that GBDSS would still have a band this school year. 

Due to the pandemic, students aren’t allowed to play any wind instruments. So, the school has invested in additional percussion instruments like chimes, marimbas, xylophones, bongos and kettledrums, and created a percussion ensemble.

Grade 12 student Daniel Farr, who normally plays the clarinet, is learning a number of new instruments.

“I am starting fresh on everything,” he said, noting he is now playing the keyboard and snare drum.  “I am glad there is a band. We are all excited and having a lot of fun.”

Jayneigh Hesler is learning how to play the bass drum, glockenspiel and tambourine.

“I didn’t think there was going to be a band,” said the Grade 11 student. “It’s nice to have that outlet, especially when there is not a lot else going on.”

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Reporter Andrew Mendler reached out to GBDSS to see how COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were impacting extracurricular activities.

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COVID-19 vaccine news: Britain’s ‘historic’ day, Facebook cracks down, and vaccination based on age? Here’s what you need to know this week

Jul 22, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Considered one of the few ways to finally bring the pandemic under control, the push to roll out a fully tested vaccine is well underway.

This week, the U.K. approved the world’s first such COVID-19 vaccine. Canada is expected to make its decision on approval for the same Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine within weeks.

With the prospect of fully-tested vaccine doses looming ever larger, the spotlight has now shifted to issues of distribution, bringing to the fore questions of who should get a vaccine first; how shipments will travel to all regions of the country; and how governments can resassure the public about the safety of any vaccine.

From what the British news means for Canadians, to why experts say seniors should be first to be vaccinated, to Facebook’s crackdown on misinformation — here are the big stories from this past week.

The first COVID-19 vaccine is approved in Britain

On a day that is not-unfairly being heralded as “historic,” the United Kingdom officially approved the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for use in the country this week.

That means their scientists finished reviewing the hundreds of thousands of pages of data on its safety and effectiveness generated from human testing, and officially greenlit it for use in their country. Officials say immunization will begin there next week.

This doesn’t mean anything for Canada in the short term, as each country must make its own the decision on whether to approve a vaccine for its citizen people. Federal scientists here aren’t quite finished their review of the evidence, but say a decision could be coming as early as next week.

But Dr. Earl Brown, a former member of Canada’s H1N1 vaccine task group, says that while each country’s regulator will do its own analysis, the fact that one has now reached a positive conclusion bodes well.

“They’re all looking at the same set of data,” says Brown, who is also a virologist at the University of Ottawa.

“So it will actually take the pressure off some, because when you aren’t the first one, you are the second one; that’s always reassuring.”

Here in Canada, officials say they’re continuing to work toward distribution as early as January, with first doses going to the most vulnerable.

Canadian seniors may be front of the line

Long-term care residents, workers and the elderly should be first in line for vaccination jabs, according to updated advice from Canada’s independent advisory panel.

The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NaCI) provided for immunization prioritization in early November, and has since narrowed down its advice. Its current list is based on the general idea that vaccines will be in short supply at first. Federal officials have said they hope to have enough for three million people in Canada by the end of March.

Who should be first continues to be a hot topic. While NaCI will provide guidelines, the final decision will be up to the provinces and territories, the leaders of many of which have said they intend to focus on the most vulnerable.

Most experts include health-care workers in that category, as well as people who work in essential services, those who have conditions that put them at high risk, or live in situations where infection would have outsized consequences, including First Nations.

However, these guidelines have not been without controversy.

In Manitoba, Premier Brian Pallister — who also went viral for his to obey health measures this week — drew fire for saying he wanted extra vaccines for his province because sending doses to First Nations communities first would “punish” non-Indigenous people.

“They have to step up and protect our Indigenous communities first … but not punish everyone else who lives in the same jurisdiction as Indigenous folks by shortchanging them on their share of vaccines,” he said, according to .

Proof of vaccination

Americans who receive a COVID-19 vaccine will get a card to prove it, their government said this week.

“When we sent out the ancillary kits, which have needles and syringes, we’ve included paper cards to be filled out and … given to the individuals, reminding them of their next vaccine due date,” quoted Army Gen. Gustave Perna, Operation Warp Speed’s chief operating officer, as saying at a briefing Wednesday.

A sample of the card shows places to write which vaccine a person received and when, as well as who administered it.

The cards will also serve as an important reminder, because the vaccines expected to roll out first in the new year — those made by Pfizer and Moderna — are two-dose regimes. In order for them to work, people will have to get both doses, spaced several weeks apart. You can’t mix and match, either, so it’ll be critical that people stick with the same company for both doses.

Presidential show of support

Many vaccine experts have long pointed out that a vaccine is only as good as the number of people who take it.

In the U.S., the shot may get a high-profile boost. According to , former American presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are all saying that, when the time comes, they’ll roll up their sleeves on camera in a show of support for the vaccine’s safety.

It was Bush who reportedly got the ball rolling, according to his chief of staff, who said the 43rd president had reached out to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Instittue of Allergy and Infectious Disease and the main face of the American coronavirus response, and asked how he could help get the word out.

“When the time is right, he wants to do what he can to help encourage his fellow citizens to get vaccinated,” Freddy Ford told CNN.

“First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations. Then, president Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera.”

Facebook cracks down on misinformation

Following in YouTube’s footsteps, Facebook said this week that it is cracking down on posts that spread misinformation about vaccines.

“Given the recent news that COVID-19 vaccines will soon be rolling out around the world, over the coming weeks we will start removing false claims about these vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts on Facebook and Instagram,” the social media behemoth said in a Thursday.

Examples of false claims? Incorrect statements about the vaccines’ safety, efficacy or side effects; claims that the vaccines contain microchips or anything that isn’t on the ingredient list; and conspiracy theories about why the vaccines were made, according the post.

The move expands its existing attempts to stamp down misinformation about the coronavirus that could lead to “imminent physical harm.”

The company notes it won’t be able to start enforcement right away, but will continue to update what counts as misinformation as more information about vaccines become available.

Alex Boyd is a Calgary-based reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter:

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‘It does not fit’: Barrie council defers decision on ‘excessively tall’ SmartCentres four-tower waterfront proposal

Jul 22, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Barrie council is taking a bit more time to decide whether to allow the largest development in the city’s history to proceed.

On Dec. 7, councillors deferred back to staff SmartCentres’ request for zoning bylaw and official-plan amendments for a large mixed-use project on the 3.5-hectare lot at 51-75 Bradford and 20 Checkley streets. Council wants staff to see whether the developer is willing to lower the height of the project.

The matter will likely be dealt with again by councillors early in the new year.

“This is a really important piece of property,” Coun. Clare Riepma said. “We are going to live with whatever our decision is for another century. It’s important we get it right.”

SmartCentres has pitched four buildings ranging from 25 to 46 storeys.

Riepma said he hopes the final design can more closely mirror a nearby development on Toronto Street, in terms of property line setbacks and staggered height. He also pushed for an ‘arbitrary’ 35-storey tower cap; though other councillors suggested that could lead to wider buildings.

“We’ve been working diligently with staff and the conservation authority to process the application; there’s been a lot of changes since the first submission,” SmartCentres representative Paula Bustard said. “We’re very pleased with the application before us now; the technical studies justify the height and density.”

About 1,700 residential units, 3,500 square metres of ground-floor commercial space and 145 hotel rooms would be built. Public corridors would link to natural features, such as the Bunker’s Creek eco-park and the Kempenfelt Bay shoreline.

This site is between Bradford and Lakeshore Drive.

Several people made deputations during the council meeting, mostly concerning building height.

“The (planning) process seems to be merely lip service,” resident Rod Burns said. “Residents (in) the area are not against high rises. However, in this case, the height and density is excessive. It does not fit within the context of the neighbourhood.”

This property was once owned by Fortress Real Developments. Fortress bought the Harmony Village land in November 2016. Initial plans had included six residential towers, townhouses and ground-floor retail.

However, Fortress ran into legal issues in recent years, mostly related to its syndicated mortgage investors.

“The majority of residents understand the need for growth,” resident Cathy Colebatch said. “These amendments clear the way for excessively tall buildings that would detract from out cohesive waterfront. This is the largest development in our history. This proposal has its merits, but Barrie’s waterfront is unique. We need to develop responsibly with the vision to protect our waterfront.”

Some councillors expressed disappointment at the delay, noting staff support the proposal.

“We need to let our staff do their job,” Coun. Sergio Morales said. “This is going to do nothing. It has no leverage. All the concerns I had about giving false hope … are just déjà vu. Our staff very politely said, ‘make a decision on this one’. Are we really going to ask (SmartCentres) nicely to go to 35 (storeys)? ‘Do you mind cutting off a couple million dollars’ profit, please?’”

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Toronto man arrested after extortion attempt of Bradford couple

Jul 22, 2021 , , , , by shlf

A Toronto resident faces charges after allegedly attempting to extort money from a Bradford couple in June.

An unknown woman phoned a couple on June 4. The caller threatened police action if the couple did not go to the bank and withdraw a certain amount of cash.

After complying with the demand, the woman instructed the victims to leave the money outside their home, located in the Holland Street West and Langford Boulevard area. A man picked up the cash and fled on foot to a nearby waiting vehicle.

A police investigation linked the scam to a European country. A search warrant was conducted at a Toronto residence Nov. 25.

Valentino Vajda, 34, of Toronto, is charged with robbery, extortion, possession of property obtained by crime and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He is also charged with breach of probation and fail to comply with recognizance.

Police seized several items at the Toronto residence.

The investigation is ongoing and police believe there may be other victims.

The accused was released with a future court date and conditions.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det.-Const. Ian Fenik at or , ext. 1059, or .

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Ontario reports 700 new cases of COVID-19, passing previous daily record of 640 in April

Jul 21, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Premier Doug Ford confirmed Ontario is in a “second wave” of COVID-19 after setting a daily record with 700 new cases on Monday, but has no plans to rush back into lockdowns despite calls for stronger measures from the Ontario Hospital Association and others.

“We don’t want to turn back a stage unless we absolutely have to,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said Monday as Ford told Ontarians the province’s fate will be determined by the precautions they take to limit the spread of the highly contagious virus.

“Our collective actions will decide if we face a wave or a tsunami,” he said, calling the 43 per cent surge in new infections from Sunday’s 491 “deeply concerning.” Just one month ago, on Aug. 28, there were 122 new cases confirmed.

But no new restrictions were announced Monday beyond the recent closure of strip clubs, ordering restaurants and bars to stop serving alcohol at 11 p.m. and close at midnight except for take-out-and delivery, and a reduction in the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 and 50 with physical distancing.

The previous high in new cases was 640 infections reported by the Ministry of Health on April 24, with 50 deaths. By contrast, there was one new death reported Monday. Daily deaths peaked at 86 on April 30.

Chief medical officer Dr. David Williams said it’s difficult to predict how bad the second wave will be, but “we have to assume it could be a lot worse” than the first wave, and advised Ontarians to “hunker down” to reverse the trend.

“People have gotten very casual,” he said, noting the 700 cases were “slightly” higher than expected because of a backlog of cases being cleared by labs that otherwise might have been reported on the weekend but still a “wake-up call.”

Toronto had 344 new cases — also a record — with 104 in Peel, 89 in Ottawa and 57 in York region. There were more than 41,000 tests processed on Sunday, about four times higher than the level of testing that was in place last April.

The Ontario Hospital Association urged Ford to put the GTA and Ottawa back into Stage 2, banning indoor dining and drinking at bars and restaurants, closing gyms and restricting the number of people at houses of worship and wedding celebrations to slow the spread and help keep schools open, as 36 new cases were reported in schools and a Scarborough elementary school was closed because of an outbreak.

“Without public health measures in place to limit opportunities for disease transmission, Ontario will soon see higher numbers of hospitalizations, admissions to intensive care units … and more deaths,” the association warned in a statement.

Williams acknowledged it takes a week or two for new cases to impact hospitalizations, and said the government’s next moves depend on where infections go from here. He noted some parts of the province are still seeing few or no new infections, making regional action and a “targeted” approach to future restrictions the most likely path.

He added there’s concern but no need to hit the “panic button” because about 1.5 per cent of people getting tests lately are positive for the virus, compared with a much higher 8.5 at the peak and a low of 0.4 per cent in the summer.

There were 128 patients in hospital for COVID-19, the ministry reported Monday, the highest in two months, with 29 in intensive care, the most since mid-August, and 17 patients on ventilators, an increase of one. Doctors have said hospitalizations have remained relatively low because the majority of people catching COVID-19 are under 40 and do not require as much care, although higher case loads will lead to more infections in older age groups.

Dr. Irfan Dhalla, an internal medicine specialist and vice-president of St. Michael’s Hospital, said he understands the government needs to digest Monday’s spike in numbers but tweeted, “It’s time for the government to lead.”

Green Leader Mike Schreiner echoed calls for “aggressive action” and said Ford should have taken more steps sooner to prevent the latest surge.

“The numbers are starting to get scary,” said Liberal Leader Stephen Del Duca.

Ford promised $52 million to recruit and train more nurses, personal support workers and other health-care staff to get ready for the fall and winter, including 800 nurses and 2,000 PSWs, many of whom will help residents in nursing homes and be given a $5,000 incentive for a six-month commitment. That is to forestall a repeat of staff shortages seen last winter and spring as nursing homes were hammered by the virus, killing more than 1,800 residents and eight staff.

Last week the government announced more than $1 billion in funding to expand testing and provide more contact tracing and management. Rapidly increasing case numbers make it more difficult for public health workers to track down people exposed to those confirmed to have COVID-19 and isolate them, stopping chains of transmission.

is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter:

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Ontario reports 74 new COVID-19 cases in its public schools, including 41 more students

Jul 21, 2021 , , , , by shlf

The number of new cases in public schools across the province has jumped by 74 from the previous day, to a total of 470 in the last two weeks.

, the province reported 41 more students were infected for a total of 275 in the last two weeks; since school began there have been overall total of 333.

The data shows there are 10 more staff members for a total of 66 in the last two weeks — and an overall total of 102.

The latest report also shows 23 more individuals who weren’t identified for a total of 129 in that category — and an overall total of 176.

There are 347 schools with a reported case, which the province notes is about 7.2 per cent of the 4,828 public schools in Ontario.

Two schools are currently closed, according to the Ministry of Health figures.

One of those is St. Charles Catholic School near Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue West in North York.

St. Charles closed Monday for a week after an itinerant music teacher, who tested positive for COVID-19, had contact with three classes in the school of 250.

That staff member also had been assigned to four other schools — St. Demetrius, St. Mark, St. Roch and St. Ursula. But only St. Charles is closed.

Like many boards, the Toronto Catholic board has continued using travelling, or itinerant, teachers to instruct students in gym, music and French during the pandemic, a plan that was approved by the Ministry of Education.

It’s the first Toronto Catholic school to shut down because of COVID, and the second school in the city.

Mason Road Junior P.S. which has been closed since Sept. 28 Tuesday. More than 170 students and staff at the Scarborough elementary school were ordered to stay home and isolate while the school shut its doors after four positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by the school board, including one student and three staff.

Ottawa’s French Catholic School Board’s École élémentaire catholique Horizon-Jeunesse is also closed according to the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est’s

There is a lag between the daily provincial data at 10:30 a.m. and news reports about infections in schools. The provincial data on Tuesday is current as of 2 p.m. Monday. It also doesn’t indicate where the place of transmission occurred.

The Toronto District School Board updates its information on current COVID-19 cases throughout the day . As of 9 a.m., Tuesday, there were 95 TDSB schools with at least one active case — 96 students and 32 staff.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board also updates its information . As of Tuesday at 6 a.m., there were 32 schools with a COVID-19 case, with 37 students and nine staff infected.

Epidemiologists have that the rising numbers in the schools aren’t a surprise, and that the cases will be proportionate to the amount of COVID that is in the community. Ontario reported 548 new cases overall on Tuesday — 201 in Toronto, 90 in Peel, 56 in York Region and 62 in Ottawa.

With the rising numbers, that schools in hot spots across the province — Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa — will receive an extra $35 million in funding to hire more teachers and staff, boost cleaning or provide devices for families keeping their kids at home to learn.

Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce made the announcement of the release of the additional federal funds Monday at Queen’s Park.

“This funding will help provide more physical distancing in classrooms, support smaller classrooms and provide more resources for remote learning,” Ford said.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the TDSB is in line for almost $9 million, which would enable it to “hire more than 120 teachers or a hundred more custodians, or 11,000 more technological devices.”

The Toronto Catholic board will receive about $3.4 million, the Peel public board about $5.8 million, the York public board about $4.8 million and the York Catholic board about $2 million, according to the ministry.

With files from Kristin Rushowy

Irelyne Lavery is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email:

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Toronto shuts down three King Street restaurants after COVID-19 violations

Jul 21, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Toronto Public Health says it has ordered the closure of three King Street restaurants that failed to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of , including serving buffet-style food and requiring staff to work while ill.

The establishments — named as entertainment-district steakhouse MARBL, Mexican eatery Caza Mezcal, and sprawling craft-beer purveyor King Taps — were shut down on Friday night. A fourth unnamed venue is in the process of being served, according to the City of Toronto.

The closures follow TPH investigations that showed the establishments had “not taken the necessary steps to sufficiently protect both the public and employees” after a surge of new cases in the city.

In a statement issued Saturday, Mayor John Tory called the shutdowns “a real-time response aimed at specific businesses identified by our enforcement officials.”

“I hope this enforcement will ensure we are protecting employees and customers. Thankfully the vast majority of residents and businesses in our city are doing the right thing and following public health advice. We need that co-operation to continue so we can defeat this virus,” he said.

Health investigators found “a concerning link involving these locations where many people are connected to more than one of the businesses,” according to a City of Toronto news release.

“In some cases, for example, people infected with COVID-19 were employed at more than one of these locations.”

It is the first time the city has ordered business closures to prevent further spread of COVID-19 under section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, which gives medical officers that power.

Investigators found that one of the businesses ordered to close had been serving food buffet-style, which is currently prohibited. Another establishment was “unco-operative” with health authorities, “significantly impeding investigation efforts.”

“Staff have also been found to be working while ill or pressured to work while ill,” the news release said.

Separately, Toronto Public Health issued a notice Saturday to patrons of Warehouse on Yonge Street, where seven people — five employees and two customers — recently tested positive for the virus. An estimated 1,700 people are believed to have visited the venue between Sept. 10 and 17, and the health unit said it has followed up with all known close contacts during that period. Those who have not been contacted by health officials are considered low risk.

A Toronto resident who asked not to be named told the Star she reported King Taps to public health authorities earlier this week, after socializing with an employee who later informed her they had tested positive for the virus after a workplace exposure.

In response to questions from the Star, a spokesperson for King Taps said it had “absolutely not” pressured any employees to work while sick and it said it goes to “great lengths” to screen workers before each shift. The restaurant is “not aware” of any employees working at multiple establishments.

King Taps is now conducting a deep cleaning of its premises and a “review of on-site practises and protocols.” Its statement said guests who visited the venue on Sept. 6, 9,10 and 11 “may wish to contact Toronto Public Health.”

While the restaurant said it would work with authorities to determine a reopening date, it said it was also “seeking clarification” about the order to close. A company spokesperson forwarded the Star a copy of an audit conducted by TPH dated Sept. 22 that described its health and safety, screening, and disinfection measures as “satisfactory.” The report said “education” was provided about physical distancing measures at the establishment, and that the restaurant was advised to use directional arrows on the floor.

In an Instagram post Friday night, MARBL said it would be closed for the weekend due to “unforeseen circumstances.” In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the restaurant said it was “fully complying” with health officials’ orders.

“We have done everything within our power to protect staff and guests and now we must reassess and work alongside public health to ensure a safe and prompt reopening. We will be keeping everyone apprised of any updates and next step,” the statement said.

Earlier this summer, MARBL attracted criticism — and an investigation from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario — when a video appeared to show a crowded indoor party that violated COVID-19 regulations. Last week, a staff member tested positive for the virus, according to CP24.

A spokesperson for Casa Mezcal said they could not comment on the order to close.

Toronto reported more than 200 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. According to the Star’s daily count, the city has averaged 167 new cases each day this week, the highest seven-day average since early June. The province moved this week to tighten restrictions on bars and restaurants, including implementing an 11 p.m. last call.

“New data shows that unsafe social activity at a select number of bars and nightclubs is contributing to the rise in COVID-19 cases in our city. That’s why our Medical Officer of Health is taking swift action to shut down four high-risk establishments until further notice,” said Joe Cressy, councillor for Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York and Toronto Board of Health chair.

Earlier in the week, the Board of Health unanimously passed a to request detailed, publicly available information on workplace outbreaks from TPH. Medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa said the health unit was exploring how to provide data in “a manner that appropriately protects privacy.”

“Right now, we need to stop the spread of COVID and keep people safe while also making it possible for kids to go to school, people to go to work and public services to operate safely,” Cressy said in a statement Saturday.

“This isn’t easy, but together we can do this.”

Sara Mojtehedzadeh is a Toronto-based reporter covering labour-related issues for the Star. Follow her on Twitter:

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More staff, consistent customer service needed when Wasaga builds new library, arena

Jul 21, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Wasaga Beach’s budget for library and arena staff could jump by 45 per cent when the new facility opens in the next two years.

Those are the recommendations of Ashley Clerici and Jen Hayes of MNP Consulting, who also offered a series of recommendations on how the municipality could provide a consistent level of customer service across the organization — especially once the new public library and twin-pad arena opens.

The two women presented their recommendations to council’s Oct. 8 meeting of the co-ordinated committee. Their work was funded by a $60,000 grant from the province.

Hayes said both the recreation department and the library have staffing gaps in both capacity and capability that will need to be filled in advance of the opening of the new facility.

Construction is expected to begin in 2021.

“It’s not unusual to have these gaps in capacity and capabilities. With the growing facility, and the growing department, there’s opportunity to require some new positions,” Hayes said.

Both the arena and library will require programming staff, she said, while the arena would require an operations manager and increased maintenance staff.

On the recreation side, program registration should also move to an online system “to make it easier for residents,” and reduce the administrative burden of what is currently handled manually.

Based on the recommendations of the consultants, staffing at the arena would increase by one full-time position, six part-time positions, and an additional contract position, and staffing costs would jump from $422,000 to more than $721,000 in the first year.

For the library, the four existing casual call-in positions would be rolled into full- and part-time positions, with three more full-time, and five more part-time jobs; the numbers do not reflect the library’s chief executive officer position, Hayes said.

The current staffing budget at the library is $694,000, and it would increase to just over $905,000 in the first year of operating the new facility, based on the recommendation of the consultants.

“There’s added services, there’s added space, so the staffing is reflective of longer hours (of operation),” Hayes said.

Clerici said the municipality’s staff is very customer-service oriented, though they “all go about (it) in a different way.” That leads to inconsistency in how service is delivered across the organization, she said.

Mayor Nina Bifolchi said the recommendations were not a surprise, and cautioned residents not to jump to the conclusion the town would be adding a lot of staff, and start calculating how much that would cost.

“Until this goes back to staff and there’s a thorough review and our needs are looked at … the public shouldn’t just assume that all these new people are being hired,” she said. “Some of these things need to be reviewed by our leadership team … we need to make sure every department has input into the plan.”

“It’s important that the public understand that staffing and dollar amounts put to this report regarding the two new facilities, but I don’t want the public to misunderstand the information and start calculating how much this is going to cost each resident.”

The committee recommended staff review the study, and bring back a report to councillors at a later date.

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‘Immediately stop using’: Numerous well-known wipes products sold in Canada recalled due to infection fears

Jul 21, 2021 , , , , by shlf

Health Canada has issued a large recall of numerous wipes products sold in Halton region and across Canada due to a possible contamination that could cause infections.

The involves Cottonelle & Cottonelle GentlePlus Flushable Wipes products. The company reported that more than 2 million units of the affected products were sold in Canada.

“Some of the recalled products may have the presence of a common household microorganism, Pluralibacter gergoviae,” Health Canada said in a statement. “Pluralibacter gergoviae rarely causes serious infections in healthy individuals. Individuals with weakened immune systems, who suffer from a serious pre-existing condition, who have been treated surgically, or belong to another sensitive group of persons are at an increased risk of infection if they use the contaminated product.”

The affected products were sold from February 14, 2020 to October 7, 2020, Health Canada said.

As of October 7, the company has received no reports of incidents or serious injuries in Canada.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and dispose of it,” the Health Canada recall states, adding buyers should contact Kimberly-Clark (the distributor) for a refund and for information on disposal.

The affected products were sold at many stores, including Costco.

Here is one of the recalled products but there are others: