BARRIE —
Over the previous month, Canada has made “good progress” in slowing the expansion of COVID-19 throughout Canada, Canada’s high physician says.
Dr. Theresa Tam made the feedback throughout a press convention in Ottawa on Friday.
In response to the newest epidemic modelling launched by the Public Well being Company of Canada (PHAC), the speed of decline has “slowed considerably,” including that the nation may see some “bumps” within the trajectory of the pandemic within the months forward.
Tam mentioned because the final modelling launched in early October, every day common case counts throughout the nation have continued to lower.
Over the previous week a median of two,230 circumstances had been being reported every day, she mentioned
“This implies we’re about midway down from the height of the fourth wave, when over 4,400 circumstances had been being reported every day,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, Tam cautioned that extreme sickness tendencies are “nonetheless elevated.”
The modelling reveals nationally, reported circumstances of COVID-19 at the moment are highest amongst kids below 12.
PHAC says it’s because this age group will not be but eligible to obtain vaccines.
Tam confirmed Well being Canada’s evaluation of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters below 12 stays ongoing, which she mentioned will take “weeks, not months.”
In response to the newest information from PHAC, greater than 58.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered throughout Canada since vaccination started in mid-December.
This implies over 89 per cent of the eligible inhabitants – these 12 and older – have acquired at the least one shot, whereas greater than 84 per cent of eligible Canadians are absolutely vaccinated.
However, Tam mentioned there are nonetheless greater than 5.5 million Canadians who may obtain a vaccine, however who haven’t but been absolutely vaccinated.
FALL AND WINTER
Canada should still be in for a “bumpy journey” by way of the remainder of fall and into the winter, Tam cautioned.
“This virus has confirmed time and time once more that this virus may undergo evolutions,” she mentioned. “It’s potential that we may get totally different variants – and now we have to watch that.”
Requested if the pandemic may very well be over by the tip of winter in Canada, PHAC Deputy Chief Public Well being Officer Dr. Howard Njoo, mentioned it’s “too early to say,” including that there are a number of components which may impression the pandemic’s trajectory.
“I believe we have to be cautious,” he mentioned in French.
The PHAC is urging Canadians to “layer protections” in opposition to respiratory infections because the nation heads into winter.
This contains getting COVID-19 vaccines, flu photographs and different routine vaccines, persevering with to put on face masks, enhance indoor air flow and keep away from crowds.
This can be a breaking information story. Extra data shall be added because it turns into out there.
