Coronavirus (COVID-19) National News

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders vowed Thursday to accelerate the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and pressed pharmaceutical companies to respect their delivery commitments, as concern mounts about the spread of new variants of the virus.

TORONTO — TD chief executive Bharat Masrani said on Thursday it was “too early to declare victory” against the COVID-19 pandemic — even as TD was one of six Canadian banks that reduced its provisions for bad debt, citing better prospects for the econ

TORONTO — Eight schools in Toronto now have at least one case of a more contagious COVID-19 variant. In a letter to parents, Toronto Public Health says the discovery is not unexpected as the variants are known to be spreading across Ontario.

OTTAWA — The Public Health Agency of Canada is launching an investigation and reviewing its practices after two returning travellers were allegedly sexually assaulted during their mandatory quarantine periods.

BRUSSELS — Ten months after promising free cloth facemasks to protect all Belgians from COVID-19, the country's government is having second thoughts — warning they could be dangerous and shouldn't be used.

NEW YORK — While dozens of New Yorkers lined up outside in the rain, shopping carts at the ready as they waited for free food, Sofia Moncayo led her team in prayer. “We’re super grateful for these people here.

MISSION, Kan. — When COVID-19 patients inundated St.

TORONTO — The head of the Business Council of Canada is worried about the country's inability to produce vaccines and certain medical supplies, but hopes the pandemic will pressure governments to rectify the situation.

OTTAWA — A new report suggests the economic impact of the pandemic led to a massive increase in federal aid to Canada's oilpatch.

TORONTO — Ontario had no updated plan for dealing with a pandemic when COVID-19 began cutting a deadly swath through the province last spring, a public commission was told.