COVID-19 Ottawa:
Two more people have died from COVID-19 in Ottawa.
Public Health is confirming 336 deaths during the pandemic.
It’s also reporting 36 new cases, sending the total up to 7,360, with 6,437 resolved. The number of active cases has dropped significantly, down to 587.
COVID-19 Ontario:
1,003 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, and fourteen more deaths from the virus are being reported across Ontario.
81,693 total cases have been reported in the province, with 3,209 deaths, and 70,086 cases resolved.
OCDSB Graduation Moving Online:
Another local graduation ceremony is being scuttered due to the pandemic.
The Ottawa Carleton District School Board has announced its graduation ceremony will be held online on December 10. Pre-recorded addresses from staff and the valedictorian will air during the ceremony.
COVID In First Nations Update:
The last week of October saw 254 new cases in Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Services Canada is attributing this to large public and private gatherings where people were without a mask and did not stay a safe distance apart. One large group event in Saskatchewan led to 11 separate outbreaks.
The department says at last count, there were 542 active cases on First Nations.
Meanwhile,
Nunavut has recorded its first confirmed case.
Health officials have started contact tracing and a rapid response team has been dispatched to the Hudson Bay community of Sanikiluaq. Everyone in the community of about 850 people is being urged to stay home and limit contact with others.
Biden Edges Closer to Election Win:
Joe Biden is planning a prime-time speech for Friday night, as he edges closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to declare victory in the US presidential election.
Biden has increased his lead over President Donald Trump in Nevada to more than 20,000 votes, and has also opened up narrow leads in Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Trump’s campaign has issued a statement vowing to pursue legal action, though there is no evidence that any votes cast illegally are being counted or that the process is corrupt.
Whole Foods Reverses Staff Poppy Decision:
Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay says employees of Whole Foods are going to be allowed to wear poppies on their uniforms after all.
He has confirmed the policy reversal with the grocery chain’s chief operating officer. The Amazon-owned retailer had come under fire for its dress code barring employees from any additions to the standard uniform, including poppies.
Valour Games Coming to Ottawa:
More than 500 wounded military veterans and personnel will descend on Ottawa in 2022.
Local MPP Lisa MacLeod announced Friday that the Capital will host the inaugural Valour Games, with the event also getting a $3-million funding boost from the province.