CanadaB次元官网网址檚 two most populous provinces reported record daily COVID-19 caseloads as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged this wonB次元官网网址檛 be the Christmas anyone had hoped for.
Ontario reported 2,447 new infections on Thursday, topping its previous high a week ago by 15. It also recorded 49 new deaths from the novel coronavirus.
Quebec, meanwhile, had 2,349 new infections, the third day in a row it hit a record. There were 46 additional deaths.
The pandemic means families arenB次元官网网址檛 supposed to gather the way they normally would for Christmas.
B次元官网网址淭his isnB次元官网网址檛 the holiday season we wanted, I know,B次元官网网址� Trudeau said in his annual Christmas message.
B次元官网网址淏ut hereB次元官网网址檚 the thing: Even though this yearB次元官网网址檚 Christmas traditions will be different, we can and should give thanks for everything that unites us.
B次元官网网址淭his crisis will end and as a country we will come out of it stronger and more united.B次元官网网址�
In Ontario, sweeping provincewide restrictions come into effect on Boxing Day to stem the spread of the virus. They are to last a month in the southern part of the province and two weeks in the north.
The measures include a ban on indoor gatherings, a 10-person cap on outdoor gatherings, and the closure of non-essential businesses and sit-down dining.
In a video message posted on Twitter, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Ontarians to only go out if itB次元官网网址檚 necessary B次元官网网址� even before the B次元官网网址渓ockdownB次元官网网址� begins.
B次元官网网址淓very time you take a trip, it puts people in jeopardy so please, as of right now B次元官网网址� stay at home when you can,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淏ut folks, we will get through this. We have 28 days and weB次元官网网址檙e going to give it everything we can and we will come out stronger than ever after this.B次元官网网址�
Quebec is closing all businesses the government deems B次元官网网址渘on-essentialB次元官网网址� on Christmas Day, until at least Jan. 11, in an effort to reduce transmission and ease pressure on the health-care system. Indoor and outdoor gatherings in the hardest-hit zones are not allowed over the holiday period.
AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said on Twitter that there were an estimated 1,100 cases identified the previous day and that seven per cent of tests were coming back positive. She said hospitalizations were on the rise, but intensive care admissions were stable.
Alberta has also prohibited indoor or outdoor social gatherings into the new year to get its COVID-19 caseload under control. Earlier this week, Premier Jason Kenney announced that a person living alone can attend one family gathering in another household over a five-day period that started Wednesday and that a household may have up to two single people as guests.
In Atlantic Canada, New Brunswick reported two new cases and Nova Scotia recorded seven new infections.
Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press
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