Alberta COVID 19 | Alberta COVID update

COVID-19 in Alberta: Nearly 1,100 people in hospital

Alberta reported 46 new deaths in its weekly COVID-19 data update on Wednesday.

Disposable masks and hand sanitizer are seen on a table outside a room where Auditor General Karen Hogan speaks about a report in Ottawa, Wednesday May 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

CTVNews.ca Coronavirus Coverage

China's Xi faces threat from public anger over 'zero COVID'

Barely a month after granting himself new powers as China's potential leader for life, Xi Jinping is facing a wave of public anger of the kind not seen for decades, sparked by his 'zero COVID' strategy that will soon enter its fourth year.

Policemen pin down and arrest a protester in Shanghai, China, on Nov. 27, 2022. (AP)

Doctors urge parents to get routine vaccines for kids following pandemic disruptions

Preventable diseases like measles could follow trends seen elsewhere in the world and spread quickly in Canada due to a drop in routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, say pediatricians who are urging parents to ensure their kids are fully immunized.

1M units of imported kids' pain meds now hitting pharmacy shelves as flu rates spike

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the previously announced one million units of imported kids' pain relievers are starting to arrive on pharmacy shelves, while an additional 500,000 units have been ordered and are expected over the next few weeks.

China's 'zero-COVID' limits saved lives but no clear exit

China's strategy of controlling the coronavirus with lockdowns, mass testing and quarantines has provoked the greatest show of public dissent against the ruling Communist party in decades.

'I come home and I cry': Rise in patients with respiratory illnesses leaving health-care workers drained

Hospitals and clinics across Canada are seeing a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses that is leaving many to operate at full capacity. As health-care workers scramble to meet the increased demand, they say overtime has become the norm and they remain unsure of how much longer they can withstand the pressure.

Are you a health-care worker amid the 'multi-demic' of respiratory illnesses? We want to hear from you

Facing a 'multi-demic' of respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19 and flu cases, hospitals across Canada are witnessing a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses. If you're a health-care worker dealing with the pressure of more patients, or recently left the profession due to stress, we want to hear from you.

Researchers test mRNA technology for universal flu vaccine

An experimental vaccine provided broad protection against all 20 known influenza A and B virus subtypes in initial tests in mice and ferrets, potentially opening a pathway to a universal flu shot that might help prevent future pandemics, according to a U.S. study published on Thursday.

China expands lockdowns as COVID-19 cases hit daily record

Pandemic lockdowns are expanding across China, including in a city where factory workers clashed this week with police, as the number of COVID-19 cases hits a daily record.

Foxconn apologizes for pay dispute at China factory

The company that assembles Apple Inc.'s iPhones apologized Thursday for a pay dispute that triggered employee protests at a factory where anti-virus controls have slowed production.

CTV News Edmonton Top Stories

Is Alberta's approach to addiction truly behind the declining number of drug-poisoning deaths?

While the Alberta government and federal Conservative party claim the province's recovery-oriented care model is the reason that fatal drug poisonings have decreased by almost 50 per cent over a year, the statistic doesn’t show the full picture, cumulative data analysis shows.

A person receives a tested supply of cocaine after gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Advocates say while the early findings on safe supply programs are promising, those programs are still not meeting the needs of a large share of Canadians who are at risk of drug poisoning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

'Something special': 3 local kids, all bantam teammates 10 years ago, reunite as Edmonton Oilers

James Hamblin had a huge smile Monday when he spoke about his first NHL call up. He had tears streaming down his face just hours earlier.

Tyler Benson (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson,) Stuart Skinner (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) and James Hamblin (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) all with the Edmonton Oilers.

Alberta not proceeding with Premier Smith's bill to protect COVID-19 unvaccinated

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rolling back on a promise to introduce legislation this fall that would have outlawed restrictions on people not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a press conference after members were sworn into cabinet in Edmonton, on Monday October 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Arctic invasion: Coldest November temperatures in almost a decade

Arctic air is settling in and temperatures will dip below -20 C in Edmonton later this week. The city hasn’t been below -20 in November since 2015. It hit -20.3 degrees on the 25th that year.

New technology allows people with motor impairments to control devices with their minds

Alberta researchers have unveiled a new piece of technology that will help improve the lives of people with motor impairment.

$500K in stolen property from B.C., Alberta, Sask., seized by Edmonton police

The Edmonton Police Service has made an arrest in a stolen property investigation that stretched across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.

'Bomb threat' in Fort McMurray sees RCMP evacuate buildings, shut down roads

Mounties in northern Alberta established a containment zone around the government centre in downtown Fort McMurray Monday following a bomb threat.

'You won’t see the same song twice': Metallica to perform 2 shows in Edmonton in 2024

Forget about Santa Claus, Metallica is coming to town. The heavy metal legends will play two nights in Edmonton as part of their M72 World Tour.

Senior Air Force officers charged over 'inappropriate' fighter pilot nickname

The Royal Canadian Air Force says two senior officers have been charged for allegedly failing to stop a group of fighter pilots from assigning an inappropriate nickname to another member in June.

CTV News Video Network

Poilievre spars with Liberal ministers over rising inflation

CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland squared off in question period over inflation.

Here's how Toronto police cracked a gruesome 1983 cold case

Growing concerns about the impact RSV may have on seniors

Feds meet with airline industry to avoid more travel chaos

Drivers stranded for hours after major B.C. highway closure

Wild horses causing safety issue near Trans Canada Highway

What we know about the large COVID-19 protests across China

CTV News in Islamabad: Pakistan Taliban orders attacks

Two people rescued from plane stuck in electrical tower

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Danielle Smith declines to give specifics on 'mistakes' referenced in Alberta address

Premier Danielle Smith said last week that she is "far from perfect" and can "make mistakes" – but has declined to give further details about what specifically she was referring to.
Alberta not proceeding with Premier Smith's bill to protect COVID-19 unvaccinated

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rolling back on a promise to introduce legislation this fall that would have outlawed restrictions on people not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Affordable housing, halfway covered: City of Calgary to pitch in $53.5M for Bridgeland Place redevelopment

The City of Calgary will fund nearly half the estimated cost of its planned Bridgeland Place affordable housing redevelopment.

Saskatoon

Trudeau pledges more than $40M in funding for James Smith Cree Nation

Prime minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $40 million in funding for James Smith Cree Nation during a visit to the community on Monday.
Saskatoon budget talks get underway, higher tax proposed

The City of Saskatoon’s budget deliberations are underway, with administration proposing to further hike pre-approved property taxes.
'It still hurts': Families hope for new homes after mass stabbing in Saskatchewan

Brian (Buggy) Burns says it's the small things he misses the most, like sitting down and having coffee with his wife nearly every morning for more than three decades.

Regina

Trudeau pledges more than $40M in funding for James Smith Cree Nation

Prime minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $40 million in funding for James Smith Cree Nation during a visit to the community on Monday.
Burning of the Brand, Canadian alpaca fibers on full display at Agribition

The Burning of the Brand marked the return of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina on Monday morning.
Collision north of Regina results in death of Piapot First Nation man: Sask. RCMP

A 37-year-old man from Piapot First Nation, Sask. is dead after a single-vehicle collision north of Regina on Friday morning, according to RCMP.

Atlantic

Roadside delivery: Nova Scotia baby born in family car

A Nova Scotia family’s baby delivery story is sure to be shared for many years to come after their baby was born along the side of the road on the way to the hospital.
Shania Twain announces second show in Moncton

Shania Twain has added six new concert dates to her upcoming “Queen of Me” tour, including a second show at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B.
Nova Scotia fees for licensed daycares to drop another 25 per cent on Dec. 31

Daycare fees are to drop a further 25 per cent in Nova Scotia beginning Dec. 31, under a $605-million funding agreement between the federal and provincial governments signed in 2021.

Toronto

What we know so far about accused murderer Joseph George Sutherland

Nearly 40 years after Joseph George Sutherland allegedly killed two women in Toronto, the now 61-year-old has been arrested.
Arrest made in gruesome 1983 murders of 2 Toronto women

A 61-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the gruesome murders of two Toronto women nearly 40 years ago. The suspect, who was living in Moosonee, Ont., was taken into custody on Thursday and brought back to Toronto.
Ontario passes housing bill despite criticism from municipalities over funding

The Ontario government has passed housing legislation that overrides some municipal zoning laws and eliminates some development fees in an effort to follow through on the province’s goal of building 1.5 million homes.

Montreal

Alleged Chinese spy in Quebec freed on bail ahead of trial

A former employee of Quebec's power utility who is charged with spying on behalf of China was granted bail Monday while he awaits trial.
High school northeast of Montreal evacuated due to bomb threat

Officials say students and staff are safe after a high school in Repentigny, Que. was evacuated Monday after receiving a bomb threat.
PQ calling on other parties to support Conservatives, restore democratic balance

The Parti Québécois (PQ) has agreed to the three demands made by Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) leader Éric Duhaime, who is seeking access to the national assembly for his party.