Federal officials say action 'urgently needed' as COVID-19 cases rise, holidays begin

Public health officials are urging Canadians to dramatically limit their contacts with other people as the country continues on a "rapid growth trajectory" for COVID-19 cases and the holiday season begins.

This week's approval of a COVID-19 vaccine has led toa groundswell of public optimism but public health officials are warning the pandemic is a long way from over. Releasingnew modelling from the Public Health Agency of Canada(PHAC) today, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam saidthat if Canadians maintain their current contact levels, more than 12,000 new cases will be recorded daily by January.

If people increase their level of contacts, however,that number could surge to more than 30,000 cases daily by January, according to the modelling sheets.

PHAC modelling suggestscombined efforts are "urgently needed" to bend the curve as outbreaks continue in long-term care facilitiesand First Nationcommunities, putting a strain on hospitals and regional health care systems.

Tam told a media briefing in Ottawa thatonly one per cent of Canadians have tested positive for thenovel coronavirus, which means most Canadians remain vulnerable to infection.

3 weeks,100K new cases

About 100,000 new cases have been reported across the country in just the last three weeks, with growth being driven primarily by the six provinces west of the Atlantic region. In recent weeks, each of these provinces has recorded its highest daily case count, and several alsohave seen their highest daily number of deaths to date.

"We have yet to see the kind of sustained decline in daily case counts that would indicate we are bringing the pandemic under control," Tam said.

WATCH / Dr. Tam on impact of COVID-19 on health system

'The situation has put a strain on the healthcare system.' - Dr. Theresa Tam

4 years ago

Duration 0:50

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tam, updates reporters with the rising number of COVID 19 cases in regions across the country and reveals modeling projections.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Canada is entering a tricky season, when people traditionally take a break from work to spend time with family. Despite the positive news on the vaccine front, she urged Canadians to be vigilant in practising public health guidelines because a "very clear danger" remains.

"We're going to have to be very, very cautious over the next several weeks to protect those people who are counting on us to work together," she said.

Hajdu urges collaboration

Asked if the government should impose more restrictive measuresto stem the disastrous rise in cases, Hajdusaid the best approach is for the federal government to collaboratewith the provinces.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, Icompletely agree with you, that cases are rising," she said. "They are rising globally. There are very few countries that are not seeing growth right now. But Iwill tell you this I believe it's that effort of partnership, that we-will-do-whatever-it-takes attitude, that will get our country through this."

Short-term projections suggestthere could be up to 577,000 cases and 14,920 deathsby Dec. 25.

As of Friday morning, Canadian public health officials were reportinga total of 443,922 cases and13,154 deaths.

Today's projections are particularly grim for First Nations, where the number of active cases has doubled in the last month. Thecurrent numberof active cases is more than 20 times higher than the peak number during thefirst wave of the pandemic for First Nationson reserve.