Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world on Thursday

An ICU patient with COVID-19 died this week, after an attempt to transfer her out of Manitoba to another province. At least 23 patients have successfully been transferred to Ontario, as Manitoba’s hospitals struggle to cope with the third wave. 1:52

The latest:

• Ford solicits advice on reopening Ontario schools, gives experts 1 day to respond.
• P.E.I. targets June 27 for opening to Atlantic Canadian travellers.
• Quebecers can get 2nd AstraZeneca dose 8 weeks after 1st shot, health minister says.
• Excitement, trepidation as Alberta prepares to reopen with 3-stage plan.
• ‘I didn’t want her to go’: Family says Manitoba mom with COVID-19 died after aborted Ontario airlift.
• Biden orders U.S. intelligence to investigate COVID-19 origin.
• Have a coronavirus question or news tip for CBC News? Email: [email protected]

Manitoba students who are currently studying from home will learn later Thursday whether they are headed back to class, just days after students across most of Alberta shifted back to in-school learning.

Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Winnipeg and Brandon, and students at dozens of schools in the Garden Valley and Red River Valley school districts, are learning remotely — and will be doing so until at least May 30. Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin is slated to lay out what students can expect next week on Thursday, the province’s education minister said.

The move to online education came as the Prairie province faced a surge in cases. Manitoba on Wednesday reported one additional death and 312 new COVID-19 cases, continuing a recent downward trend in single-day new case numbers. But health officials have cautioned that the province’s health-care system is still facing significant strain, particularly around intensive care.

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The province, which as of the last update had 318 people in hospital, has so far sent 28 of its sickest COVID-19 patients out of province to free up ICU bed space. More patients are scheduled to move in the days ahead, but officials haven’t provided details on how many will be sent out of province.

The planned shift around schools in Manitoba is the latest in a slew of announcements from officials around the country who have been offering reopening plans, including a recent four-step plan from B.C. and a three-stage plan from Alberta.