Pharmacy COVID-19 testing on the way as Ontario sees highest daily count since early June

Province reported 401 cases Friday, two-thirds of which are among those under 40.

Greater restrictions around social gatherings could be coming to more Ontario regions, while walk-in COVID-19 pharmacy testing could be in place as early as next week, Premier Doug Ford says.

"We have the pharmacies coming onboard and ramping up. Hopefully by this time next week, we'll have numerous pharmacies out there, helping out the system," Ford said Friday, specifically thanking Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall.

"You'll be able to walk into a pharmacy and get a test," he said, adding the pharmacy option is specifically meant for people without symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Those with symptoms will still need to visit the province's traditional testing sites for an assessment.


Covid-19: Lockdown in parts of Madrid amid virus spike

Parts of the Spanish capital Madrid are to be subject to lockdown restrictions to curb a rise in Covid-19, as cases across Europe continue to spike.

From Monday, more than 850,000 people in the Madrid region will face limits on travel and sizes of groups.

Spain has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe, and Madrid is once again the worst-hit region.

Many northern hemisphere countries are now bracing for a second wave of the pandemic as winter approaches.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the perils as people move indoors. "There is a lot of work to do in order to avoid amplification events, drive down transmission of this epidemic, protect the opening of schools and protect the most vulnerable in our society," Dr Mike Ryan, the head of the WHO's health emergencies programme, said.

France recorded its highest number of new confirmed daily cases since the pandemic began, at 13,215 - a jump of nearly 3,000 more cases in 24 hours. They included Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who said he had tested positive but was showing no symptoms. Several cities, including Marseille and Nice, are bringing in tighter restrictions.

The UK recorded 4,322 new cases and 27 deaths on Friday - its highest number of cases since 8 May, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned a second wave was now "inevitable". Large parts of the north of England are now subject to extensive lockdown measures.


Canadian Conservative leader tests positive for COVID-19; Quebec premier self-isolating

In isolation since Wednesday after being exposed to coronavirus by staffer




ont: Pharmacy COVID-19 testing on the way as Ontario sees highest daily count since early June
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid-september-18-update-1.5729286


spain: Covid-19: Lockdown in parts of Madrid amid virus spike
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54211361


toole: Canadian Conservative leader tests positive for COVID-19; Quebec premier self-isolating
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/erin-o-toole-tests-positive-covid-19-1.5730964