Infectious Diseases

Canada, U.K., U.S. denounce Russian hackers for targeting COVID-19 vaccine data
Canada, Britain and the United States denounced Russian hackers on Thursday for trying to steal research on COVID-19 vaccines from organizations in all three countries and around the world. Thursday's joint declaration, led by Britain, said the hackers were almost certainly working for Russian intelligence and accused them of disrupting the global efforts to find a vaccine for the novel coronavirus.
British Columbia sets another record with 175 overdose deaths in June alone
Another record for monthly overdose deaths related to illicit drugs has been set in British Columbia, prompting the former provincial health officer to call for radical steps to reduce fatalities including access to pharmaceutical-grade heroin produced in Canada. Dr. Perry Kendall, now interim director at the BC Centre on Substance Use, said access to injectable diacetylmorphine needs to be ramped up after a sharp rise in overdose deaths four years after he declared a public health emergency.

CDC extends U.S. ban on cruise ships through September

Federal health officials are extending the U.S. ban on cruise ships through the end September as coronavirus infections rise in most U.S. states, including Florida. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that it was extending a no-sail order that had been scheduled to expire July 24.
COVID-19: Increase in the number of travelers to the country

Although the Canadian border has been closed since March 21 to limit the spread of COVID-19, the number of international travelers counted at Canadian airports has increased considerably in recent weeks. Between June 29 and July 12, 91,300 travelers entered Canada, according to the Canada Border Services Agency. About 40,000 of the 91,000 passengers were neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents of the country.
Anti-racism rallies led to few COVID-19 infections in Alberta, total cases growing

Eight COVID-19 cases have been identified among the several thousands of people who attended rallies in Calgary and Edmonton. Similar events were held around the world after the death of George Floyd, a Black man whose neck a Minneapolis police officer compressed with his knee for nearly nine minutes.
Atlantic premiers not ready to lift travel restrictions on rest of Canada

Nearly two weeks after a loosened travel agreement between their provinces came into effect, Atlantic Canadian premiers are not rushing to set a date to welcome visitors from the rest of the country. The Atlantic travel "bubble'' that opened July 3 allows residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island to travel between the four provinces without being required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Ontario 'prepared' for second COVID-19 wave, Ford says as hospitals sound alarm

Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday his government has a plan to deal a second wave of COVID-19 this fall, a pledge that comes as Ontario's hospitals warn the surge may come as flu season strikes. Ford said he has been consulting with provincial health officials about the plan, but offered no details about how or when it will be announced.
PPE and beyond: Ideas in pictures
Using PPIs may increase risk of contracting COVID-19: study

Previous research has demonstrated that a low level of gastric acid alters the infectivity of SARS-CoV-1—that also appears to be the case for SARS-CoV-2
Review article consolidates key information about COVID-19

Summarizes pathophysiology, transmission, diagnosis and treatment, with an accompanying patient information page

Canada, U.K., U.S. denounce Russian hackers for targeting COVID-19 vaccine data

British Columbia sets another record with 175 overdose deaths in June alone

CDC extends U.S. ban on cruise ships through September

COVID-19: Increase in the number of travelers to the country

Anti-racism rallies led to few COVID-19 infections in Alberta, total cases growing

Atlantic premiers not ready to lift travel restrictions on rest of Canada

Ontario 'prepared' for second COVID-19 wave, Ford says as hospitals sound alarm

PPE and beyond: Ideas in pictures

Using PPIs may increase risk of contracting COVID-19: study

Review article consolidates key information about COVID-19