Coronavirus: What happened in Canada and around the world on Dec. 30

The latest:

• Quebec imposes curfew, closes restaurant dining rooms and further delays return to school.
  
• Ontario pushes back school reopening to Jan. 5, restricts PCR testing to high-risk individuals.
  
• Alberta pushes back the return to school for at least a week.
  
• Nova Scotia parents unsure about back-to-school plan amid COVID-19 wave.
  
• Return to school delayed until Jan. 10 in N.W.T. because of COVID-19 risks.
  
• Parents frustrated, teachers' union calls for better safety as N.L. kids move to online learning.

• Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit now open for applications.

The Omicron variant continued to cause record-breaking COVID-19 numbers of cases in several provinces, but a new study out of Ontario suggested those infected with the variant are significantly less likely to face hospitalization or death compared to those with Delta.

In the study, Public Health Ontario compared Omicron cases with symptoms that emerged between Nov. 22 and Dec. 17 with Delta cases and found that, after adjusting for vaccination status and region, the risk of hospitalization or death was 54 per cent lower with Omicron.

The agency said Omicron appears to be the first dominant variant to show a decline in severity but warned that, due to its higher transmissibility, "the absolute number of hospitalizations and impact on the health-care system is likely to be significant, despite possible reduced severity."

Provinces across the country have seen surging case counts as a result of Omicron, prompting some to amend or extend health restrictions.

Ontario and Quebec bothrecorded new highs for new infections Thursday. Ontario reported 13,807 new COVID-19 cases and Quebec had 14,188.

The research institute that reports to the Quebec government said its modelling predicts "significant growth in new hospitalizations and the consequent occupancy of regular and intensive care beds over the next three weeks."

It said its models show there could be between 1,600 and 2,100 COVID-19 patients outside intensive care units (ICUs) over the next three weeks. The institute said that could include between 300 and 375 ICU patients during that period. The most dire scenarios 2,100 regular COVID-19 patients and 375 ICU patients would surpass anything recorded during previous waves of the pandemic.

• Track how many people have been given theCOVID-19 vaccine across Canada
  
• Applications for Canada's expanded lockdown support not open until 2022
  
• Have a coronavirus question or news tip for CBC News? Emailask@cbc.ca

On Thursday, Quebec announced it is tightening restrictions in the province, bringing back a curfew and banning private indoor gatherings. It also delayed the return to school again until Jan. 17.

Earlier in the day, Ontario announced changes to testing and isolation requirements, but only delayed the return to school by two days.

British Columbia said it will bring back students in January in a phased approach, with staff and students whose parents are health workers, as well as those who need extra support, returning to class on Jan. 3 or 4. All other students will go back to school on Jan. 10.

-From The Canadian Press and CBC News, last updated at 6p.m. ET

What's happening across Canada

For more details on the situation in your province and territory including the latest on hospitalizations and ICU capacity, as well as struggles with testing capacity click through tothe local coverage below.

In Central Canada,Ontario on Thursday reported13,807 new cases of COVID-19, a new high, and eight additional deaths. Despite the high numbers, Dr. Kieran Moore, the province's chief medical officer of health, also announced the province is changing its policies around testing and isolation.

As of Dec. 31, PCR tests will only be available tohigh-risk individuals who have symptomsand/or are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19including for the purposes of confirming a COVID-19 diagnosis to begin treatmentas well as workers and residents in the highest risk settings andvulnerable populations.

Moore said Ontario is also changing the required isolation period. Individuals with COVID-19 who are vaccinated, along withchildren under 12, will now be required to isolate for only five days following the onset of symptoms. Their household contacts are also required to isolate with them.Unvaccinated individuals mustisolate for 10 days.

Quebec also saw a fresh high on Thursday, with14,188 new COVID-19 cases, and nine additional deaths. Premier Franois Legaultannounced that, beginning Friday,indoor restaurant dining will be paused and private indoor gatherings will be banned. He also said that the province would bring back a curfew from between 10 p.m. and5 a.m., except for essential workers, along with fines of up to $6,000.

Indoor sports will be banned and people will continue to be encouraged to work from home. Schools, CEGEPs and universitieswill now reopenon Jan. 17,instead of as planned on Jan. 10.

WATCH | Premier Legault outlines Quebec's new measures:

Quebec announces strict new measures amid rising Omicron infections

3 years ago

Duration 2:40

Quebec Premier Franois Legault on Thursday announced a series of new measures, saying they are necessary to prevent overwhelming the health-care system. The province is reintroducing a curfew, limiting bubbles to one household, closing restaurant dining rooms and places of worship, and delaying school returns to Jan. 17.

• Here's how Quebec plans to keep some COVID-infected, exposed essential workers on the job

• Rising tide of COVID-19 cases hits Quebec's Magdalen Islands

• Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa reducing services due to staffing shortage

• Toronto planning for paramedic and fire services staff shortages due to Omicron

• These families are already feeling the emotional strain of Ontario's latest long-term care rules

In Atlantic Canada,Prince Edward IslandPremier Dennis King outlined assistance measures for people impacted by COVID-19 on Thursday. The premier noted that cases have been rising on the island, but he noted that thus far most cases have been mild.

The update came as the province, which has not yet seen any COVID-19 deaths, reported 169 additional cases.

InNewfoundland and Labrador, there were349 new cases reported Thursday, another record high. Nova Scotia reported 522new cases andis expanding booster eligibility to anyone 30 and up, beginning Monday, if they are six months out from their second dose.

NovaScotia Premier Tim Houston appealed during a Thursday afternoon briefingto retired health-care officials in the provinceto volunteer to help atvaccination clinics.

"Wedo need your skills. And the more people we can get, the quicker we can do this," he said.

New Brunswicksaw another new daily high numberof cases Thursday, with 572 reported. There were two additional deaths.

• About 600 Nova Scotia Health employees off work due to COVID-related isolation
  
• Visitation at hospitals, long-term care homes suspended in N.L. unless under 'exceptional circumstances'
  
• WATCH | P.E.I. top doctorto hold COVID-19 briefing Thursday at 12:30 p.m. local time
  
• COVID-19 test kits have arrived in Labrador amid criticism over lack of supply, long line

Across the North,Nunavut reported20 new cases on Thursday.

In theNorthwest Territories, officials announced a delay in the return to school until Jan. 10, citing a surge in cases over the holidays. There were 32 new cases reported in the territory Thursday whileYukonhealth officials reported 34.

In the Prairie provinces,Manitoba reportedanother newhigh Thursday with 1,123 new cases and three additional deaths, while inSaskatchewan, health officials reported 589 newcases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths.

WATCH | Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe explains why the province is shortening isolation times:

Saskatchewan shortens COVID-19 isolation time to 5 days

3 years ago

Duration 2:05

Saskatchewan is changing its guidance on COVID-19 testing and isolation times, relying heavily on rapid tests as it monitors the current falling hospitalization rate.

Albertasaw another huge jump in case numbers, with 4,000 cases reported Thursday after apreviously record-setting 2,775 new cases were reported Wednesday. Late Thursday afternoon, the education minister announced students will not return to school as scheduled on Monday, but will instead return on Jan. 10.

• Manitoba now permitting health-care workers with mild COVID-19 symptoms, negative test result to go to work
  
• Experts call for action to address Omicron ahead of Thursday COVID update with Saskatchewanofficials
  
• Here's what you need to know about who needs to get rapid tests, PCR tests and more in Albert

British Columbia reported anotherhigh Thursday 4,383 new casesand one additional death. Amid the surge, the province is considering allowing health-care workers who test positive to continue working. Quebec announced Tuesday that it would allow some COVID-infected health care workers to continue working.

• B.C. bracing for increase in COVID hospitalizations amid 5th wave, says health minister

-From CBC News and The Canadian Press, last updated at 7:30 p.m. ET

What's happening around the world

As of Thursday eveningroughly 286.3million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus database, which tracks cases from around the world. The reported global death toll stood at more than 5.4 million.

In theAmericas, Bolivia's main cities cancelled any public activities for New Year's Eve after the country reached a record 4,939 new cases of COVID-19, the highest number for one day in all the pandemic in the South American country.

The Omicron-fuelled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases skyrocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers, and experts lament that most are not vaccinated.

"It's just so heartbreaking," said Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious-disease expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "It was hard enough last year, but now you know that you have a way to prevent all this."

During the week of Dec. 21-27, an average of 334 children 17 and under were admitted per day to hospitals with the coronavirus, a 58 per centincrease from the week before, according to the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC)

• New Year's Eve show in Times Square will go on despite COVID-19 surge, New York City mayor says
  
• U.S. move to shorten COVID-19 isolation stirs confusion, doubt

In theAsia-Pacificregion,India is going ahead with a legislative election in its most populous state despite daily COVID-19 infections more than doubling nationwide within a week. India reported 13,154 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a jump from 6,000 daily cases on Dec. 24.

The Chinese city of Xi'an reported on Thursday another 155 local cases, taking the total number to the highest seen in any Chinese city this year, as infections keep spreading eight days into a lockdown.

InAfrica,health officials in South Africa reported9,020 new cases of COVID-19 and 81 additional deaths.

InEurope, the U.K. reported a sharp increase in coronavirus-related deaths Thursday 332 as the National Health Service announced it was building temporary structures at hospitals in England to prepare for a possible surge of patients infected with the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

The number of people hospitalized in the U.K. with COVID-19 jumped to 11,898, up 44 per centfrom a week earlier.

Residents and tourists in Paris will be required to wear masks outdoors starting Friday as France sees a surge of COVID-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant. Masks already are mandatory in shops, public facilities and office buildings and on public transportation in France

The Paris police prefecture said the mask rule will apply to people 12 and over, although individuals will be exempt while riding bicycles or motorcycles, travelling in vehicles and doing exercise.Those who do not comply face a fine.

France reported 206,243new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

In theMiddle East, the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday reported 2,234 new cases of COVID-19, with no additional deaths.

-From The Associated Press, Reuters and CBC News, last updated at 7:30 p.m. ET