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14 Dec, 5 tweets, 3 min read
#StarExclusive: The federal government plans to spend more than $1.5B on COVID-19 rapid tests, the Star has learned

Story by @hscoffield
thestar.com/politics/feder…
Canada will spend $1.5B on rapid tests directly and also on helping provinces with the logistics of distributing them, a federal source said on condition of anonymity.
thestar.com/politics/feder…
The federal government aims to respond to growing requests from provinces to make more use of rapid tests to quickly detect the new Omicron variant, which is highly contagious. thestar.com/politics/feder…
There has been widespread indignation that many of the rapid tests have gone to waste in the past, sitting on shelves despite businesses, high-risk settings and public services asking for ways to quickly detect new cases of COVID-19. thestar.com/politics/feder…
Once feds pass rapid tests to provincial governments, it’s up to them how they use and distribute them — meaning that in some provinces, rapid tests are plentiful and available to some for free. In others, they may remain quite inaccessible for many people thestar.com/politics/feder…

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More from @TorontoStar

Toronto Star Profile picture
14 Dec
With the Omicron variant on track to be the most prevalent strain of COVID-19 in Ontario, many are wondering what symptoms they should be on the lookout for to keep themselves and their loved ones safe ahead of the holidays. torstar.co/sVx350HaSqc
On Tuesday, Ontario reported 1,429 new cases of COVID-19, a 43.7 per cent increase since last week’s average.

So as cases increase, what symptoms should people watch out for?
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Dr. Alon Vaisman, an infectious disease specialist, said there is no evidence yet to suggest Omicron’s symptoms are different from any other strain of COVID-19.

But all symptoms exist on a spectrum from asymptomatic, to mild, to severe.
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/… Image
Read 5 tweets
Toronto Star Profile picture
14 Dec
#Breaking: Ontario tightening rules around nursing homes torstar.co/TnCT50HaIWx
Ontario’s Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips is tightening the rules at nursing homes, with increased COVID-19 testing and some new restrictions that include a ban on residents leaving for overnight visits. thestar.com/politics/provi… Image
“The reality is there are some communities where vaccination levels are lower and with the uncertainty from the Omicron variant you just have to be careful,” he said in an interview Tuesday.
thestar.com/politics/provi…
Read 5 tweets
Toronto Star Profile picture
14 Dec
Wild pigs are not native to anywhere in the Americas but have emerged as one of their greatest threats to livestock, wildlife and natural ecosystems — and they are spreading across Canada. Experts say Ontario needs to take note, and act now.
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Wild pigs decimate wetlands, cause billions of dollars in damages to crops and can spread diseases like e.coli to wildlife, livestock and humans when they deposit their waste in waterways. They have no natural predators and will eat just about anything. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Of particular concern with wild pigs is African Swine Fever, which was detected in the Dominican Republic earlier this year. While it can’t spread to humans, researchers say it would devastate the swine industry if it arrived in North America. thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Read 5 tweets
Toronto Star Profile picture
14 Dec
Canada is discussing the implementation 10 paid sick days with Bill C-3. It's much needed, but let's make sure they get it right, Dr. @Monika_Dutt of @DecentWorkHlth writes. #InTheirOwnVoices thestar.com/opinion/contri…
"Trudeau’s government has set an important bar for all governments across the nation. 10 days of permanent sick leave is now widely recognized as a minimum standard. However, there are aspects of the legislation that must be improved," she says. thestar.com/opinion/contri…
"The current proposed Bill states that employees would need to work one month, and then would begin to earn just one day per month to a maximum of 10 paid days per year," she writes, adding that it's insufficient for those just starting work. thestar.com/opinion/contri…
Read 6 tweets
Toronto Star Profile picture
14 Dec
Watch live: Toronto police to give update on murders of billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Barry, 75, was the founder and owner of Apotex, Canada’s generic drug giant. He and his wife Honey, 70, were committed philanthropists. Their bodies were discovered in the basement swimming pool room of their north Toronto home four years ago.
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
The only other time police held a press conference to release information was on Jan. 26, 2018, six weeks after the bodies were discovered. Originally thought by police to be a murder suicide, police eventually investigated it as a targeted double homicide.thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Read 9 tweets
Toronto Star Profile picture
14 Dec
The TTC is planning to freeze fares again next year but will keep service below normal levels for at least the first part of 2022 as it continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
With the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreading quickly, the outlook for COVID-19 in Toronto is changing rapidly, and the financial hit to the TTC in 2022 could grow if ridership remains depressed. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
TTC ridership in November was about 49% of pre-pandemic levels, and its operating budget is based on the prediction it will start 2022 at about 54% of normal, before rising to 81% by the end of next year. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…
Read 7 tweets

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