COVID-19 infections: Canada’s third wave of COVID-19 is escalating at an alarming rate, driven by variants that are sending more middle-aged people to hospital.March 30, 2021 Coronavirus Update: Third wave is hitting adults in their 40s and 50s

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March 30, 2021 Coronavirus Update: Third wave is hitting adults in their 40s and 50s Good evening, On Thursday, April 1, join the Globe’s health columnist André Picard and deputy national editor Nicole MacIntyre for a Facebook Live discussion on COVID-19 vaccines. Send us your vaccine question. Get a reminder on Facebook. Here are the coronavirus updates you need to know tonight. Top headlines: Canada’s third wave of COVID-19 is escalating at an alarming rate — and impacting adults in their 40s and 50s As real estate prices continue to rise across Canada, BMO economists are warning of severe consequences and urging policy makers to act China withheld data from World Health Organization investigators researching coronavirus origins, according to a WHO representative In the last 7 days, 34,278 cases were reported, up 30 per cent from the previous 7 days. There were 191 deaths announced, down 12 per cent over the same period. At least 2,420 people are being treated in hospitals and 907,282 others are considered recovered. Canada’s inoculation rate is 36th among 84 countries with a population of one million or more people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Sources: Canada data is compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data is from Johns Hopkins University. Coronavirus explainers: Coronavirus in maps and charts • Tracking vaccine doses • Lockdown rules and reopening • Vaccine distribution plan • Four vaccines approved in Canada • Essential resources Photo of the day Health care workers inoculate people with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a city-wide lockdown reinstated to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. ESTEBAN FELIX/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Coronavirus in Canada In Ontario, Doug Ford says he is considering additional restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise. Meanwhile, the province confirmed the April school break will go ahead as planned. And, Toronto’s school board tells staff to brace for online learning amid rising infection numbers. The Premier of Quebec is concerned about the rise of active COVID-19 cases in five areas of the province where restrictions were loosened, particularly the rules around in-home gatherings. Premier Francois Legault said other regions where restrictions were recently loosened have not seen a similar increase in cases. The Manitoba government projects a $1.6-billion deficit and is dipping into its rainy-day fund to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on businesses. In Ottawa, Pfizer confirmed that an additional five million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine will be sent to Canada in June. AstraZeneca, meanwhile, will ship 4.4 million doses by the end of June. Deliveries of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will arrive in Canada at the end of April, although it’s unclear how many doses will be sent. Even without the Johnson & Johnson shot, and barring any unexpected interruptions in production or export of vaccines, Canada is in line to get more than 44 million doses before Canada Day. COVID-19 infections: Canada’s third wave of COVID-19 is escalating at an alarming rate, driven by variants that are sending more middle-aged people to hospital. COVID-19 and LTC: Canadians living in nursing homes received less medical care in the early days of the pandemic, hastening the deaths of many even in provinces barely affected by the coronavirus, a new report says. Coronavirus around the world The United States, the European Union and other Western countries are calling on China to grant World Health Organization researchers “full access” in response to WHO comments suggesting data was withheld. Slovakia’s Prime Minister and his government resigned over a secret deal to buy Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine – the first European government to collapse due to its handling of the pandemic. The largest allocation of doses India has supplied to the COVAX program never actually left the country, according to new data. U.S. consumer confidence is at its highest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey shows. Coronavirus and business The pandemic has upended the hairstyling industry, forcing salons to close or limit capacity under public-health orders and resulting in a major economic impact on the tens of thousands of people who work in the sector. It is emblematic of how the financial fallout from the pandemic has struck service workers – more likely to be female and/or racialized – especially hard. And although government support has helped, many salons have been forced to stay closed for months at a time – if not permanently – and invest heavily in personal protective equipment. Also today: With home prices spiking across the country and houses selling well over asking, BMO’s economic team is urging policy makers to take action. And: ‘It’s been a sprint’: A new wave of business creation is taking hold Globe opinion Gary Mason: British Columbia waited too long to respond to the rising third wave of COVID-19. Editorial board: Canada is staring at a third wave as COVID-19 outraces vaccinations. More reporting My COVID-19 vaccine experience as an urban Indigenous woman in Ontario How local tourism during COVID-19 is improving travel for the long term Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays extend stay at Dunedin ballpark through May 24 due to COVID-19 restrictions The Tokyo Olympics shouldn’t be held due to “considerable risks,” according to some medical experts The government agency that owns Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is seeking a private investor as passenger traffic vanishes in the pandemic A new survey says Canadians have seen more UFOs during the pandemic Information centre How well do vaccines work? Here’s what you need to know. Rob Carrick’s 10-point checklist of things you should have done by now to protect or improve your money situation. Tips for minimizing damage to your credit score ; how to manage retirement anxiety during difficult times; and things to think about if you’re considering home delivery. Here are the expectations for self-isolation; tips for managing anxiety and protecting your mental health; and what to do if you think you have the virus. Wash your hands. How to break a bad habit (like touching your face). Is flying safe? The best foods to eat to maintain an immune system-friendly diet; and how to keep a healthy diet while working from home ; four eating tips when working from home; and five mistakes that might cause you to gain unwanted weight. Here are the essentials to stock up on and how to shop safely for groceries ; the best pantry staples and how to stop stress-eating. Find answers to your coronavirus and employment questions. Sources: Canada data are compiled from government websites, Johns Hopkins University and COVID-19 Canada Open Data Working Group; international data are from Johns Hopkins. What are we missing? Email us: audience@globeandmail.com. Do you know someone who needs this newsletter? Send them to our Newsletters page. PERSONAL FINANCE POWER TIPS Power your finances with tips from The Globe’s top financial experts. As we make our way through 2021, here some tips from Globe journalists, along with a selection of stories, to help you keep your finances on track #PowerYourFinances About This Newsletter The Globe depends on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe to globeandmail.com. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. For delivery issues related to this newsletter, please contact Digital Support. For feedback on newsletter content, email Mike Snider. SUBSCRIBE TO THE GLOBE GLOBE NEWSLETTERS GROUP SUBSCRIPTIONS GLOBE CAMPUS FOLLOW US ON TWITTER LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM