New year, new restrictions to curb Omicron's spread

Plus, hospitals are feeling the strain, and Canadian theatre is under pressure [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning. Here’s the latest on Ontario’s impending restrictions, how Omicron is straining hospitals and what the closure of “Come From Away” means for Canadian theatre. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Chris Young covid rules [Ontario is poised to impose further COVID restrictions amid Omicron surge]( The provincial government is considering further delaying the start of school and limiting social gatherings and other non-essential services as cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant skyrocket, Kristin Rushowy and Robert Benzie report. Premier Doug Ford convened a rare Sunday cabinet meeting as Ontario reported 16,714 new COVID-19 cases, despite new limits on PCR lab tests. [Here’s what you need to know](. - What we know: Data released last week showed the risk of hospitalization or death from Omicron is 54 per cent lower than Delta. As of yesterday, 224 COVID-19 patients were in Ontario ICUs. - Context: Chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore announced the Jan. 5 back-to-school date only last week. Moore, Education Minister Stephen Lecce and a host of experts have said schools should be first to open and the last to close during the pandemic. - ICYMI: Ontarians have been following COVID-19 case numbers for nearly two years. [Here’s why they don’t mean much anymore](. Steve Russell/The Star health care [Staff are calling in sick by the hundreds and hospitals are feeling the strain]( A wave of staff absences is forcing Ontario hospitals to consider cancelling scheduled medical treatments and calling isolating staff back to work early, Alex McKeen reports. Unlike previous COVID variants, it’s Omicron’s transmissibility — rather than its severity — that’s straining health care, and while there isn’t the same demand for staff to manage critically ill patients, the sheer number of cases and potential exposure risks are threatening the system. [Here’s what we know](. - By the numbers: Around 100 staff members a day are calling in sick to Toronto’s University Health Network hospitals. - Context: The Star reported last week that some Ontario nurses were being [called back to work during periods of isolation]( and Quebec has allowed some COVID-positive health workers to stay on the job — a scenario its health minister said is “the best alternative to not providing care.” - ICYMI: Faster-than-ever COVID-19 spread has us wondering if getting Omicron is inevitable — and [what that means for the virus’ long-term future](. Steve Russell/The Star culture [What the pandemic closure of “Come From Away” means for the future of Canadian theatre]( After a 21-month pandemic hiatus, Canada’s most successful homegrown musical reopened Dec. 15 at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre — only to be shut seven days later due to a COVID-19 outbreak that would derail the entire production, Karen Fricker and Joshua Chong report. The show’s producers, cast and crew, along with the wider theatre community blame a lack of government support, with many asking: [If “Come From Away” can’t survive the pandemic, what can?]( - Context: Ottawa’s 2021 budget committed $1.9 billion to the recovery and reopening of the arts, culture, heritage and sports sectors, but these funds aren’t available to commercial arts producers — a move that’s out of step with other countries. - Go deeper: Experts say Canada’s failure to support live commercial theatre leaves it up to other countries to tell Canadian stories. The Toronto production of “Come From Away” was one of five around the world. The other four are ongoing. - By the numbers: More than one million patrons saw “Come From Away” during its three-year run. Ticket sales exceeded $115 million — including more than $15 million in HST. Mirvish Productions estimates the show contributed $920 million to Toronto’s economy. WHAT ELSE [When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?]( Past diseases, and how they played out, offer some clues. Ontario’s early Omicron epicentre may show [a way of controlling — but not stopping — virus spread](. How one B.C. woman’s fall in a roadside snowbank could push Toronto to [get serious about sidewalk snow clearing](. Some fled to a cottage, others moved to the Rockies. [Are those among the pandemic’s “great migration” happy?]( After 90 years as a vital transit hub, [what’s to become of the Toronto Coach Terminal?]( Biden promised the [U.S. and allies will act “decisively”]( if Russia invades Ukraine. ICYMI Supplied Photo/Christian Aid Ministries [“I was ready to die.” A Canadian missionary kidnapped in Haiti shares the story of his harrowing capture, “miraculous” escape.]( PREVIOUSLY... Dick Darrell/The Star JANUARY 3, 1969: Ciaran Griffin, 11, huddled under a blanket as firemen and harbour police brought him ashore after he and three friends fell through the ice near the shore of Sunnyside Beach. The other three scrambled out safely but Ciaran floated out 10 metres from shore on a chunk of ice, where he floated for 30 minutes before rescuers could reach him. 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_96947). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. 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