Got a positive rapid test? Good luck finding a PCR.

Plus, fourth dose plans for LTC residents and what to expect from John Tory's third term [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning. Here’s the latest on Ontario’s plan for fourth doses, the scramble for PCR tests and what to expect if Tory wins a third term. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Nathan Denette star exclusive [The province is set to announce a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for nursing home residents]( Long-term care residents who are three months out from their booster will soon be able to roll up their sleeves for a fourth dose, Kristin Rushowy reports. The move, set to be announced today, comes two days after Ontario announced it was temporarily halting visitors and social trips for nursing home residents amid the spread of Omicron. [Here’s what we know](. - Context: Long-term care residents have been eligible for a third dose since August and about 84 per cent had gotten one as of Dec. 23. - By the numbers: Meanwhile, Ontario recorded a new single-day high of 10,436 COVID-19 Wednesday. 7.5 per cent (or 47) of the province’s LTC homes are in outbreak. Rene Johnston/The Star testing [Ontarians are scrambling — and failing — to find PCR tests]( It’s the COVID “Hunger Games” once again, but this time the prize is a PCR test for the many Ontarians needing confirmation after testing positive on rapid tests, Alyshah Hasham reports. Testing centres are struggling to keep up with the 735,000 to 1.4 million Ontarians estimated to have COVID-19 right now after reporting a positivity rate on Wednesday of 26.9 per cent from 60,000 tests. [Here’s what you need to know](. - Why it matters: PCR tests help the province keep track of how many people have the virus, while some workplaces require employees to present a positive test to show they can’t come to work. - Word from Queen’s Park: The government is considering new testing guidelines after postponing a press conference on Tuesday to review new advice from the U.S. CDC to [cut quarantine from ten to five days]( for asymptomatic people ([which has now become a meme](. - The gist: If you have cold symptoms now — runny nose, sore throat or fever — you can pretty much assume it’s COVID and stay home. Dan Pearce/Metroland MUNICIPAL POLITICS [Is John Tory tough enough to tackle Toronto’s big issues?]( As we wait to hear if Toronto’s cautious, centrist mayor will seek re-election in 2022, urgent questions are arising about the self-proclaimed “prudent” leader’s ability to tackle the big issues: like skyrocketing housing costs, pandemic-ravaged finances and climate change. David Rider and Jennifer Pagliaro dissected Tory’s track record and asked experts [what Torontonians can expect if he wins a third term](. - Go deeper: Few expect Tory to abandon his incrementalist ways, as it’s his middle-of-the-road approach that’s made him so popular among Torontonians — and will make it tough for anyone else to steal his seat. [Holiday sale] Get the last deal of the year on a Star subscription. Become a digital subscriber now and read as much of the Star as you'd like in the new year for as little as $1/month. If you're already a subscriber, thank you. If you're not, [choose from one of our great offers here](. WHAT ELSE This Omicron New Year’s Eve, [experts recommend taking your celebrations outside](. Restaurants are [closing indoor dining]( for New Year’s Eve and beyond as cases rise. Ontario should [reduce capacity in other areas before shutting schools]( says the COVID-19 science table head. The World Juniors hockey tournament has been [cancelled due to COVID]( — but organizers hope to reschedule. “Something is stirring in suburban Ontario:” a new survey found most 905ers believe [the Greenbelt is no place for a major highway](. What does Olympic swimmer Penny Oleksiak love about Toronto? [The Nose, Sasha Exeter and those “beachy smells.”]( [Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of luring girls]( to be sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein. In 2021, every silver lining for the United States [came with a dark cloud]( writes Edward Keenan. The arrests of Canadian Denise Ho and compatriots in Hong Kong are [enraging democracy activists](. Drake is throwing money at companies like never before. [What’s his strategy?]( ICYMI Rene Johnston/The Star [For physicians stressed out from COVID-19, a brush with fine art might be just what the doctor ordered.]( PREVIOUSLY... Ron Bull/The Star DECEMBER 30, 1971: Edna Griscuks enjoys a game of bingo with her mother-in-law, left. Griscuks, who plays bingo three or four nights a week, is able to keep track of 20 cards at once, each costing $3.25. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_96081). I’ll see you back here tomorrow, for the last First Up of 2021. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](