Ontario reports 784 new cases of COVID-19, with 602 in people who are not fully vaccinated or have unknown vaccination status
The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Sunday. This file will be updated throughout the day. Web links to longer stories if available.
2:49 p.m.: For the first time since the start of the pandemic Prince Edward Island is declaring a COVID-19 outbreak in a school.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Heather Morrison announced six new cases of COVID-19 in the province Sunday, all in children under the age of 19.
That's in addition to a case announced Saturday involving a student at Charlottetown's West Royalty Elementary School.
In-person classes at that school have been cancelled for the coming week, while classes are cancelled for the next three days at 17 other schools in the area to allow for contact tracing and testing.
Morrison says 10 of the most recent 11 COVID-19 cases in the province involve people under the age of 19.
There are 14 active infections in the province.
11:35 a.m.: Quebec is reporting 757 new cases of COVID-19 today and no additional deaths attributed to the virus.
Health authorities say hospitalizations dropped by five from Saturday's levels to 213, while the number of patients in intensive care remains steady at 75.
Health Minister Christian Dube tweeted that the majority of patients in intensive care over the past 28 days have not been fully vaccinated and urged Quebecers to get their second shots.
Of the most recent infections, the province says 510 were among unvaccinated people or those who had received only one dose less than 14 days ago.
The province administered 21,058 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday; 6,245 of which were first doses.
About 88 per cent of Quebecers aged 12 and older have received at least one dose, while more than 80 per cent are considered fully vaccinated with two shots.
11:20 a.m.: Ontario is reporting another 784 COVID-19 cases and six more deaths, two of which occurred over a month ago and were added to the count based on data cleaning, according to its latest report released Sunday morning.
Ontario has administered 29,182 vaccine doses since its last daily update, with 21,167,527 vaccines given in total as of 8 p.m. the previous night.
According to the Star's vaccine tracker, 10,997,441 people in Ontario have received at least one shot. That works out to approximately 84.4 per cent of the eligible population 12 years and older, and the equivalent of 74 per cent of the total population, including those not yet eligible for the vaccine.
The province says 10,170,086 people have completed their vaccinations, which means they've had both doses. That works out to approximately 78 per cent of the eligible population 12 years and older, and the equivalent of 68.4 per cent of the total population, including those not yet eligible for the vaccine.
The province's new data says 499 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in unvaccinated people, 80 in partially vaccinated people and 211 in fully vaccinated people.
10:29 a.m.: Ontario is reporting 784 new cases of COVID-19, with 602 cases are in individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, and 182 in fully vaccinated individuals.
MORE TO COME
Sunday 8:17 a.m.: A group of British Columbia community organizations wants changes to the province's COVID-19 vaccine card, saying it fails to account for the needs of people who face legitimate barriers to getting a vaccine or proof of immunization.
A joint letter to Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the plan could restrict access to services for people who can't get a shot for medical reasons, as well as people without government identification.
It was released by Vancouver-based Pivot Legal Society this month and says B.C. has failed to identify a workaround for people without ID, which could include women fleeing violence, people who are homeless and undocumented migrants.
The vaccine card system requires patrons to show proof of at least one vaccine dose by Monday and two doses by Oct. 24 to access certain indoor settings, including ticketed sports events, concerts, restaurants, gyms and movie theatres.
The card will not be required at grocery and liquor stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants, salons, barbers, hotels, banks, retail stores, food banks and shelters.
B.C. residents need a personal health number to order a paper copy of their vaccine card or to download the card online for display on a smartphone. The card will be checked alongside government identification.
If you're homeless and living outside, carrying around a piece of paper is just not going to work out," said Rowan Burdge, director of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and a signatory of the letter. We've seen encampments where people's belongings have been taken away."