PROJECTION: CANADA COULD SEE NEARLY 15K COVID DEATHS BY CHRISTMAS
Dec 11, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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All large provinces have to strengthen their pandemic response ”now,” otherwise new federal projections suggest the country could see almost 15,000 Christmas Day.
The modelling indicates Canada remains on a ”rapid growth trajectory,” with daily cases expected to top 10,000 before the end of the month.
It also shows between 1,300 and 1,800 more deaths the next couple of weeks.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says there’s been a concerning rise in infections among older Canadians, adding preventing outbreaks in long-term care requires individuals and health authorities working together because once the virus gets into a home it’s harder to stop its spread.
Currently, there are outbreaks in 131 of Ontario’s 626 nursing homes.
Officials stress, that despite the Pfizer vaccine receiving approval and roll-out starting Monday, Canadians will have to stick to public health guidelines the next few months.
While Health Canada has not yet given the green light to Moderna’s vaccine, Ottawa’s already including it in its distribution plan.
”Knowing access to safe and effective vaccines for all Canadians is within sight might lead some to think COVID-19 is no longer a problem,” Dr. Tam points out.