COVID-19 subvariant 'Kraken' arrives in Waterloo-Wellington
The newest subvariant of the COVID-19 virus has now been detected in Waterloo Region and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph.
Ontario Public Health confirms 14 positive cases for XBB.1.5, also known as Kraken, in Waterloo Region, and nine positive cases in Wellington-Dufferin Guelph between Dec. 18 and Jan. 14.
"This was expected, I don’t think this comes as a surprise," said Zahid Butt, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Waterloo. "Obviously there would be a lot more cases than what you’re seeing now."
Health experts warn the Kraken subvariant will become the dominant strain in Ontario, and is projected to make up 44 per cent of new cases by Feb. 1.
Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the Medical Officer of Health for Waterloo Region, said in a statement: "COVID-19 is still with us. We should expect to see new variants emerge (such as XBB.1.5) and additional waves of COVID-19."
"Kraken is increasing as it is spreading,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, the Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph. "But the evidence so far is not showing us that it’s going to be more severe."
The rise in cases comes as COVID-19 vaccinations stall. According to Region of Waterloo Public Health, only 21.5 per cent of people have received two booster shots of the vaccine.
"In the face of new variants and a background level of vaccinations and previous infections, our recommendations remain the same," said Dr. Wang. "I would encourage residents to continue to use all the tools that we have at our disposal to reduce our chances of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This includes staying up-to-date with the recommended vaccine and booster doses. As COVID-19 can linger and spread through the air, wear a well-fitted mask (such as a N95, KN95 or medical mask) in indoor public spaces and improve or maintain good indoor air ventilation."
Dr. Mercer is also encouraging people to keep up-to-date with booster shots, especially as the travel season nears.
“There’s nothing worse than going through an airport and arriving at your destination and coming down with COVID symptoms to ruin your holiday,” she said. “Think about getting a booster.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Upgrading Safe Third Country Agreement about reassuring Canadians: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he feels it is his role to see the Safe Third Country Agreement upgraded, in order to make sure Canadians can continue to have confidence in Canada's immigration system.
Foreign mothers of Canadian children seek escape from ISIS detention camp
A group of lawyers is racing against the clock to get Canadian children and their foreign-born mothers onto a plane that will soon be dispatched to repatriate detainees from prison camps in northeast Syria.
Han Dong resigns from Liberal caucus amid foreign interference allegations
Han Dong has announced he will be sitting as an independent MP after being the subject of foreign interference allegations.
Parks Canada says new reservation system working well as bookings open in busy Banff
Parks Canada says its new online reservation system to book camping sites and other activities at national parks appears to have worked well during its first week of operations.
Budget 2023 to detail crackdown on 'junk fees' for consumers: federal source
A federal source says the coming budget will detail how the Liberals plan to go after hidden or unexpected consumer fees, following the United States announcing its own crackdown on these charges.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper says Canada needs a 'Conservative renaissance'
Canada needs a 'Conservative renaissance,' former prime minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday, but he cautioned that Pierre Poilievre should wait until an election before telling Canadians how he might run the country.
All the details we know so far about the coronation of King Charles III
The coronation of King Charles III will take place in May, in a ceremony that is expected to be less extravagant, while underscoring a new era for the Royal Family.
Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial set for family testimony
Two daughters of a retired optometrist suing Gwyneth Paltrow are expected to testify on Thursday about the lasting effects of their father and Paltrow's 2016 ski collision as the trial takes on an increasingly personal note on the third day of proceedings.
One week later: Rescuers continue search for victims in rubble of Old Montreal fire
It's been one week since a devastating fire tore through a historic building in Old Montreal, killing at least four.
London
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Oneida Nation of the Thames signs $43M clean water deal with federal government
Plans are in the works to connect the existing Oneida Water Supply System to the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) investing over $43 million to support the design and construction phases of this project.
-
Richmond Row business owner says she’s not surprised after random act of violence near her restaurant
It is what many people consider a safe space, secure in the confines of their own vehicle, but a stabbing on Richmond Row may have changed that for many. It happened around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon as a driver in a southbound car was waiting for a train to cross Richmond Street, just south of Piccadilly Street.
-
Building height bogs down proposed development in Hyde Park: it’s too short
Despite the building boom in Hyde Park, one high profile development remains a bust with city staff. The planning department is once again recommending refusal of a rezoning application by York Developments.
Windsor
-
Cash and drugs seized from Windsor home
Two people are charged after an investigation by Windsor’s Drugs and Guns (DIGS) unit. Officers seized over $25,000 in cash and drugs from a home in the 1100 block of Church Street on Tuesday.
-
Spring showers in Windsor-Essex on Thursday
Periods of rain or drizzle are expected in Windsor-Essex on Thursday. There is also the risk of thunderstorms this morning with the temperature climbing to 10 C.
-
Car strikes home in LaSalle, driver in serious condition
A LaSalle man is in serious condition and facing an impaired driving charge after a car collided with an attached garage of a home, according to police.
Barrie
-
Police to update the investigation into the Elnaz Hajtamiri assault case
York Regional Police will hold a news conference Thursday morning when it's expected they will announce two more suspects wanted in the alleged attack of missing Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri.
-
Novice driver nabbed by RIDE
A RIDE program at 1 a.m. March 23 stopped a driver in the Greenwood and Robert streets area of Shelburne.
-
Ram pickup trucks stolen from Barrie driveways as owners slept
Police in Barrie say Ram pickup truck thieves are active in the community again after two were reported stolen overnight on Wednesday.
Northern Ontario
-
Family sues OPP, others, for more than $2M after woman dies in Sudbury, Ont., jail
The family of a woman who died by suicide in November 2020 while incarcerated at the Sudbury Jail is suing police and other officials for more than $2 million.
-
Woman blows 4x legal alcohol limit after crashing into car in school parking lot
A Tottenham woman faces impaired driving charges for allegedly blowing four times over the legal limit after crashing into a vehicle in a school parking lot.
-
Toronto woman receives free gift, but signs contract for $7,000 vacuum cleaner
A Toronto woman said she received a free air purifier as an online promotion, but also signed up for a $7,000 vacuum cleaner in the process.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Here's what you need to know about day one of President Biden's visit to Ottawa
Ottawa police and the city of Ottawa have warned residents and visitors will see an increased police presence across the downtown core on Thursday and Friday, and there will be "significant traffic and transit disruptions" during the visit.
-
Pedestrian struck and killed by a vehicle in Chelsea, Que.
Emergency crews responded to the collision involving a pedestrian on Highway 105 near the Chem. Ditchfield intersection in Chelsea at approximately 5:15 p.m. Wednesday.
-
Crash closes Highway 401 near Belleville, Ont.
Highway 401 is closed in both directions east of Belleville, Ont. due to a collision, OPP said Thursday morning.
Toronto
-
Ontario will table its 2023 budget Thursday. Here’s what you need to know
This is what you need to know about the 2023 Ontario budget being tabled Thursday.
-
Ontario 4-year-old diagnosed with brain tumour after doctors believed it was a virus
An Ontario mother and father say their four-year-old was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour after doctors believed his symptoms were a flu-like virus for months.
-
Toronto woman receives free gift, but signs contract for $7,000 vacuum cleaner
A Toronto woman said she received a free air purifier as an online promotion, but also signed up for a $7,000 vacuum cleaner in the process.
Montreal
-
One week later: Rescuers continue search for victims in rubble of Old Montreal fire
It's been one week since a devastating fire tore through a historic building in Old Montreal, killing at least four.
-
Macdonald High School closed for 'security reasons' after threat
Macdonald High School in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on Montreal's West Island was closed Thursday morning for 'security reasons.'
-
School board welcomes Quebec probe into sexual abuse
At least one school board is welcoming news of an investigation into allegations of sexual violence at schools.
Atlantic
-
Injured Bedford, N.S., high school staff members released from hospital following stabbing
Two staff members who were injured in a stabbing at a Bedford, N.S., high school have been released from hospital.
-
Weather statements issued in the Maritimes ahead of snow Thursday
Environment Canada has issued special weather statements in the Maritimes ahead of a spring mix of snow and rain arriving Thursday.
-
Transportation Safety Board report on sinking cites lax federal rules on stability
A Transportation Safety Board of Canada report has linked the fatal sinking of a Nova Scotia scallop dragger in 2020 to years of federal inaction on the imposition of stricter stability standards for fishing vessels.
Winnipeg
-
More nurses resign from sexual assault program at HSC
A day after four nurses resigned from a department at the Health Sciences Centre, more have followed suit.
-
Major risk of flooding on Red River this spring, predicts Manitoba government
There is a major risk of flooding on the Red River this spring, according to Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre
-
Head-on crash on Manitoba highway leaves 1 person dead
One person is dead and five others are injured following a head-on crash on a Manitoba highway on Wednesday.
Calgary
-
Taking Back Alberta? Questions surround right-wing group and its political power
TBA was started last year by long-time right-wing activist David Parker. It began as a way to push back against COVID-19 measures, but has since drastically grown.
-
Only 27 per cent of Alberta knee replacement surgeries were done on time in 2022: CIHI
If you were an Albertan waiting for a knee replacement in 2022 and you're still waiting, you're not alone.
-
Battle between UCP, NDP too close to call as provincial election inches closer: ThinkHQ
A new political poll surveying Albertans ahead of May's provincial election shows a deep divide within the province, with the governing United Conservative Party and Alberta's New Democrats fighting neck and neck for support.
Edmonton
-
Ashley Ryan, wife of fallen EPS officer, drops puck at charity game for mental health
Wearing her husband's police jacket, Ashley Ryan walked to centre ice at a charity hockey game in Spruce Grove, Alta., Wednesday night. She, a paramedic, then dropped the puck on the matchup that Brett was planning to referee.
-
Parks Canada says new reservation system working well as bookings open in busy Banff
Parks Canada says its new online reservation system to book camping sites and other activities at national parks appears to have worked well during its first week of operations.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Warm and sunny today, cooler Friday
Looks like we're in for some roller-coaster temperatures over the next few days.
Vancouver
-
Sellers targeted B.C. minors via Snapchat to sell nicotine and THC vaping products, police say
Police on Vancouver Island have busted a vaping operation where nicotine- and THC-filled e-cigarettes were sold to youth at middle and high schools.
-
Poisoning suspected in deaths of 2 dogs in B.C. community, RCMP say
Dog owners in Trail, B.C., are being urged to keep their pets inside as Mounties investigate the deaths of two family dogs believed to have been poisoned with strychnine.
-
Vanier Park tent encampment residents refuse to leave
Residents of a tent encampment on Vancouver’s west side are defying orders to leave, despite being given 24 hours' notice to vacate the area.