Tag: CBC News

55% of Ontario’s nursing home workers opted for vaccine

Mary Pat Campbell

Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/55-per-cent-ontario-long-term-care-workers-vaccinated-fears-remain-1.5928220

Excerpt:

Despite the fact long-term care workers were the first in Ontario invited to get the COVID-19 vaccine last December, a little more than half of them have volunteered to get the shot.

As of this week, only 55,000 of 100,000 long-term care workers in Ontario have been inoculated, according to the province’s Ministry of Health.

Dr. Hugh Boyd, chair of the Ontario Medical Association’s section on long-term care and care of the elderly, said a lack of confidence in the vaccine and pervasive myths about the quick development and safety of the shot is at the root of the low numbers.

Author(s): Julie Ireton

Publication Date: 26 February 2021

Publication Site: CBC News

Oncologist fears ‘tsunami of cancer’ after COVID-19 lockdowns limited screening

Mary Pat Campbell

Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/cancer-tsunami-screening-delays-covid-1.5844708

Excerpt:

During the first wave of the pandemic — from March 15 to May 31 — there was a significant decrease in screening for three major cancers in Ontario compared to the same period in 2019, according to Ontario Health:

A 97 per cent decrease in screening for mammograms through the Ontario Breast Screening Program.

An 88 per cent decrease in Pap tests through the Ontario Cervical Screening Program.

A 73 per cent decrease in fecal tests through ColonCancerCheck.

Alberta Health says the number of Albertans diagnosed with cancer decreased by 23 per cent for the period of March to September 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019.

Author(s): Stephanie Hogan, Melanie Glanz

Publication Date: 17 December 2020

Publication Site: CBC News