Canadians who contracted monkeypox and were required to self-isolate should receive federal aid, says Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam. “If we can [provide aid] in the COVID-19 context, I think we should think about it more broadly for infectious diseases, particularly ones that affect communities and when there’s a public health emergency…

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has called for a reduction in the seven-day isolation period adding that the winter influenza virus currently posed a bigger issue than COVID-19. “In many cases at the moment, the current strand of influenza is more severe than the current strands of COVID,” the premier told 2GB radio. He…

The health minister of the Australian state of Victoria has gone into a seven-day self-isolation following a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Martin Foley said that although his rapid antigen test produced a negative result, he had to enter quarantine as a close contact, causing him to miss out on the first half of…

Researchers have detected tiny airborne particles containing RNA from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, both inside and outside of rooms in which infected people were self-isolating at home. This finding suggests that airborne transmission beyond the isolation rooms in homes may pose a risk of infection to other home occupants. The study, in Annals of…

Researchers have detected tiny airborne particles containing RNA from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, both inside and outside of rooms in which infected people were self-isolating at home. This finding suggests that airborne transmission beyond the isolation rooms in homes may pose a risk of infection to other home occupants. The study, in Annals of…

The restriction measures to prevent Omicron infections in England’s care homes will be lifted on Monday, 47 days after they were brought in. The government made the announcement on Thursday, as most society-wide legal restrictions are no longer in place. From Jan. 31, the limit on the number of visitors allowed into care homes will be removed,…

People in self-isolation after positive COVID-19 tests will be allowed to end isolation one day earlier, the UK’s Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Parliament on Thursday. It comes after the government was urged to amend the rule to alleviate staff shortages in health care, teaching, and other industries. From Jan. 17, people who test positive…

The CEO of one of Australia’s largest supermarket retail chains has written to customers warning of product shortages during the current wave of the Omicron variant, which has led to high staff numbers isolating and gaps in the company’s supply chains. “Unlike the surge buying of early 2020 (who could forget the toilet paper), this…

VANCOUVER—British Columbia’s top doctor says the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 is being reduced to five days for those without symptoms. Dr. Bonnie Henry says people must wear a mask around others for an additional five days after leaving self-isolation, which is dependent on being free of symptoms. People who haven’t been…

The New Zealand government announced border class exemptions for over 200 skilled agriculture workers and 600 tech specialists to relieve pressures created by COVID-19. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor​ said the government was aware that labour challenges remained and would continue working with the sector to meet them where possible. Agriculture border exemptions include 200 mobile…