Your digest

How common is COVID-19? Early results from our seroprevalence study provide some insights: Yesterday, Canadian Blood Services and Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) released initial results of the first 10,000 blood samples tested for the antibody against SARS-CoV-2. Of these samples, collected in the last two weeks of May, fewer than one per cent tested positive for the antibody. These results offer some early insight into how common COVID-19 has been amongst a subset of Canadians, as a first step in an ongoing seroprevalence study we’re conducting. These 10,000 donations are the first batch of 37,800 donations, the rest of which will be tested in the coming weeks. As more samples are tested, the strength of the results will increase, allowing our epidemiologists to conduct a full analysis. Read more on blood.ca.  

Cord blood collection in Ottawa resumes July 27: Aligned with the public health decision to ease COVID-19 restrictions in most parts of Ontario, we will resume cord blood collection in Ottawa on July 27. Cord blood collection has already resumed in Brampton and Edmonton. We recognize and understand there may be concerns about the health and safety of mothers. We are committed to working with hospitals to ensure mothers have a safe and rewarding donor experience. We continue to work closely with hospitals, provincial and territorial partners and the Public Health Agency of Canada to determine when to resume cord blood collection in Vancouver. Learn more on Connect.  

Staycation series — where to go from Toronto: Each week, we are sharing ideas to help you plan a safe, stress-free vacation that is closer to home this summer. We’ve teamed up with travel writer Bianca Bujan to share some local getaway ideas and this week we’re looking at Canada’s largest city, Toronto. Whatever your interests: culture, cuisine, nightlife or nature, it can all be found in or close to the city. If you’re looking for a family-friendly lakeside stay, a forested road trip or an adventure within the city itself, these staycation ideas should help you plan your perfect summer escape. Start planning your next trip by heading over to Connect.  

Question of the day: Many employees have been asked to work from home since March in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Will Canadian Blood Services issue completed and signed Form T2200s, so these employees can deduct expenses paid for the employment use of workspaces in their homes?  

Canadian Blood Services is monitoring the direction from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regarding issuing Form T2200s related to COVID-19. The payroll team typically issues T2200s in February–March of the following year. Currently, we are not aware of when the CRA will release additional guidelines. The Canadian Payroll Association has raised this issue with the CRA, and we are closely monitoring it.  

Image

About your digest 

This digest will highlight the latest policy and employee support measures, resources to help you manage our new reality and original content like articles and videos to remind us that what we do matters.  No access to email? No problem — all this information and more can be found on blood.ca/employees from any device, no login required.      

Click here to read past editions of your digest.

Have questions? Check out blood.ca/employees or email us at communications@blood.ca