TORONTO A provincewide pause on non-urgent surgeries has been lifted and hospitals will now be permitted to “gradually” resume the procedures if they have the capacity for them. The directive was first put in place on April 20 as hospitals struggled to keep up with an influx of COVID-19 patients and began transferring some people far away in a bid to free up capacity. But in a letter to healthcare providers on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said that new cases, hospitalizations and intensive care admissions now “appear to be trending downward,” setting the stage for a cautious resumption of elective surgeries and procedures “in some areas of the province.”
The Oregon Health Authority is launching a new dashboard to track statewide and county progress towards the Governor’s newly announced vaccination goals.
Arms deal graft trial against South African ex-president Zuma adjourned to May 26
Reuters | May 17, 2021 10:53 PM EDT
South Africa s former President Jacob Zuma, who is facing fraud and corruption charges, speaks with a member of his legal team at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, (Photo : REUTERS/Rogan Ward)
A corruption case against former South African President Jacob Zuma and French company Thales related to a $2 billion arms deal was adjourned on Monday to May 26, and his defence lawyer said Zuma would plead not guilty when the hearing finally starts.
The trial of Zuma, 79, had been expected to begin on Monday but was delayed again after his newly appointed defence team raised concerns over the lead prosecutor and said it might seek his recusal from the case.
May 18, 2021
Photo: Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced that nearly 1,000 Oregon restaurants, food carts, and other eligible businesses have received a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant, bringing $138 million in relief to local food and beverage establishments.
To date, 960 Oregon businesses have received a grant during the ongoing priority period for restaurants owned or controlled by women, veterans, and socially or economically disadvantaged communities. The average grant amount for Oregon is $143,000.
“I am thrilled to share that we have nearly 1,000 Oregon restaurants, food carts, coffee shops, and other eligible businesses receiving a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant. This was a program initially designed here in Portland with our local restaurateurs and we took it back to Congress to get the job done,” said Blumenauer. “The grants announced today will bring $138 million in relief funds to loc