Live updates: What you need to know about COVID-19 today

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The rapid spread of the COVID-19 variant Omicron across Canada brings more restrictions, curtailments of services and concerns about shortages daily.

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Watch here for the latest on this and other news that affects us all in the Omicron outbreak.

11:57 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland used a press conference Wednesday to remind Canadians and businesses of the federal supports available to them as Omicron surges across the country.

The federal government in December temporarily expanded emergency benefits to include people impacted by capacity restrictions, when before Bill C-2 only covered those impacted by complete lockdowns.

“I’d like today to reassure Canadians by reminding them that the federal government has made sure that economic support is available to you if you need it,” Freeland told reporters.

The government will provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown or capacity restrictions, and lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.

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Businesses can qualify for wage and rent subsidies if they have lost 25 per cent of their revenue in the past month against 2019 numbers, compared to the previous threshold of 40 per cent. The federal government will subsidize up to 75 per cent of revenue declines.

Federal officials will also acquire 140 million rapid antigen tests in January to distribute to the provinces and territories, an increase from the 35 million procured in December.

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11:47 p.m.

Quebec is reporting 39 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus today and a rise of 158 COVID-19-related hospitalizations.

The Health Department says data from the last 24 hours indicates 1,750 people were in hospital with COVID-19, after 321 patients were admitted and 163 were discharged. It says 191 people were in intensive care, a rise of six from the day before.

Officials are reporting 14,486 new COVID-19 cases today and say about 28 per cent of tests came back positive — the same test-positivity rate as the prior day. The government is no longer offering PCR testing to the general public and is instead prioritizing those tests for higher-risk groups.

11:26 a.m.

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10:24 a.m.

Ontario reports 11,582 new cases of COVID-19 today, down from the peak of 18,445 on New Year’s Day. However, Public Health Ontario notes the true number is likely higher due to policy changes making testing less accessible.

Hospitalizations across Canada are also rising amid surging cases. The latest data as of Tuesday shows 4,059 people in hospital due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, in Ontario, Health Minister Christine Elliott said 2,081 people are hospitalized with the virus today, including 288 in the ICU. Yesterday, Elliott reported 1,290 people in hospital with COVID-19, with 266 in ICU.

10 a.m. 

Canadian manufacturers are bracing for staff shortages either from COVID restrictions imposed by the government or from sickness.

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Some are already reporting staff down between six and nine per cent, reports the Financial Post’s Jake Jake Edmiston , though it’s too early to call a trend.

Unlike previous COVID waves where restrictions weighed on economic growth, the bigger risk this time is people not showing up because they have contracted Omicron as it spreads more quickly than earlier variants.

“Suddenly, people are calling in sick,” said Dennis Darby, chief executive of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. “If this persists, we’re actually going to see an effect on output.”

Toronto is making contingency plans to cope wth city employees calling in sick. Toronto Mayor John Tory said on BNN/Bloomberg this morning that in the worst case scenario the city could see 50 to 60 per cent of its staff off sick with the virus.

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Meanwhile, the Toronto Public Library has announced it will have to temporarily close 44 of its branches because of staff shortages related to COVID starting on Jan. 10.

9:48 a.m. Wednesday

Starting today, Ontario rolls out tighter public health restrictions in response to what the province calls “an alarming increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations.”

The surge in COVID cases has forced multiple provinces to postpone non-urgent surgeries and reduce access to COVID tests.

Additional reporting by the Canadian Press, Bloomberg and Reuters