Coronavirus (COVID-19) National News

OTTAWA — Canadian retail sales in April posted their largest drop since the start of the pandemic as governments moved to deal with its third wave. Statistics Canada said Wednesday retail sales fell 5.7 per cent to $54.

PARIS — France is adding Russia to its “red list” of countries from which travels are banned unless it is for urgent reasons as they are struggling with virus surges and worrisome variants.

HALIFAX — Police say traffic is at a standstill today along the Trans-Canada Highway at Nova Scotia's boundary with New Brunswick as a protest continues over COVID-19 travel restrictions. Nova Scotia RCMP Cpl.

MADRID (AP) — Seven researchers whose work contributed to designing COVID-19 vaccines have won Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias award for scientific research.

NEW YORK (AP) — Small businesses that endured shutdowns and lower revenue during the COVID-19 outbreak now must contend with another crisis: spiking prices for goods and services that squeeze profits and force many owners to pass the increases along

MILAN (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic hit Italy especially hard, killing more than 127,000 people and sending the European Union's third-largest economy into a devastating tailspin.

The latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Canada as of 4:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. In Canada, the provinces are reporting 482,991 new vaccinations administered for a total of 33,049,022 doses given.

The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 4:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Some provinces and territories do not report daily case numbers. There are 1,410,206 confirmed cases in Canada.

More Ontarians living in designated hot spots for the Delta COVID-19 variant are eligible to book earlier second vaccine doses starting today.

As COVID-19 vaccination rates increase and case numbers drop across the country, the provinces and territories have begun releasing the reopening plans for businesses, events and recreational facilities.