Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on April 11, 2021

OTTAWA, ON, April 11, 2021 /CNW/ -

As COVID-19 activity continues in Canada, we are tracking a range of epidemiological indicators to monitor where the disease is most active, where it is spreading and how it is impacting the health of Canadians and public health, laboratory and healthcare capacity. At the same time, the Public Health Agency of Canada is providing Canadians with regular updates on COVID-19 vaccines administered, vaccination coverage and ongoing monitoring of vaccine safety across the country. The following is the latest summary on national numbers and trends, and the actions we all need to be taking to reduce infection rates, while vaccination programs expand for the protection of all Canadians.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,052,539 cases of COVID-19, including 70,619 active cases and 23,287 deaths reported in Canada; these cumulative numbers tell us about the overall burden of COVID-19 illness to date. They also tell us, together with results of serological studies, that the vast majority of Canadians remain susceptible to COVID-19. As vaccine delivery ramps up at an accelerated pace, there is cause for optimism that widespread and lasting immunity can be achieved through COVID-19 vaccination. We now have multiple safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines with unique advantages that are authorised for use in Canada. Vaccine coverage is increasing across Canada, with benefits being seen in prioritized high-risk populations. Ramp up of vaccine supply and acceleration of vaccination programs will return further benefits to protect more Canadians, over the coming weeks and months.

However, with the current acceleration of COVID-19 activity, approaching the peak of the second wave, and a concerning rise in the proportion of cases that involve more contagious variants of concern, strong public health measures and individual precautions must be sustained where COVID-19 is circulating. The latest national-level data show a 7-day average of 6,873 new cases daily (Apr 2-8). For the week of March 28 to April 3, there were on average of 115,654 tests completed daily across Canada, of which 5.1% were positive for COVID-19, an increase from 4.3% the week prior. Sustained high infection rates are also impacting COVID-19 severity indicators, which are levelling off (deaths) or increasing (hospitalization), particularly in areas with elevated disease activity. The rise in severe and critical illnesses is placing renewed strain on the health system and healthcare workforce. Provincial and territorial data indicate that an average of 2,560 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Canadian hospitals each day during the most recent 7-day period (Apr 2-8) representing a 7% increase over last week, including 860 of whom were being treated in intensive care units, which is 23% higher than last week. During the same period, there were an average of 30 COVID-19-related deaths reported daily.

While COVID-19 continues to impact people of all ages in Canada, infection rates are highest among those aged 20-39 years of age. As well, we are seeing an increased number of adults under the age of 60 years being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, including in intensive care units. The Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) tracks incidence rates of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 from 151 sentinel acute-care hospitals in 10 provinces and one territory. The latest CNISP data (Mar 21-27) shows an increasing number of hospitalisations among adults 40-59 years of age. These data also show that an increased number of adults in this age group were admitted to intensive care units (ICU) and received mechanical ventilation in March 2021. During the same month, patients aged 18-39 years made up 15% of new COVID-19 admissions to ICUs, which is double compared to January (7.4%) 2021.

This is a reminder that serious illness can occur at any age and evidence indicates that variants of concern can be associated with more severe illness and increased risk of death. In addition, circulation of COVID-19 in younger, more mobile and socially-connected adults is an ongoing risk for spread into high-risk populations and settings. As of April 8, a total of 24,995 variant of concern cases have been reported across Canada, including 23,611 involving B.1.1.7 variants, 1,039 P.1 variants and 345 B.1.351 variants. Although B.1.1.7, which is now confirmed in all provinces and two territories, continues to account for the majority of variants of concern in Canada and has likely replaced the original virus in some areas, there has been a concerning rise in P.1 cases in recent weeks. Early evidence suggests that the P.1 variant may reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, making it even more important to control its spread.

Several jurisdictions have highlighted social gatherings as an important driver for spread. Yet, amid a rising proportion of cases involving variants of concern, escalating infection rates in many areas of the country, and increasing severity trends, a high degree of caution must be maintained until vaccination programs are further expanded. A combination of strong and sustained community-based public health measures and strict adherence to individual precautions is crucial in order to suppress rapid epidemic growth.

Canadians are urged to remain vigilant, continue following local public health advice, and consistently maintain individual practices that keep us and our families safer: stay home/self-isolate if you have any symptoms, think about the risks and reduce non-essential activities and outings to a minimum, avoid all non-essential travel, and maintain individual protective practices of physical distancing, hand, cough and surface hygiene and wearing a well-fitted and properly worn face mask as appropriate (including in shared spaces, indoors or outdoors, with people from outside of your immediate household).

Aiming to have the fewest interactions with the fewest number of people, for the shortest time, at the greatest distance possible, while wearing the best-fitting mask is a simple rule that we can all apply to help limit the spread of COVID-19, as vaccine programs expand to protect all Canadians. 

Canadians can also go the extra mile by sharing credible information on COVID-19 risks and prevention practices and measures to reduce COVID-19 in communities and by downloading the COVID Alert app to break the cycle of infection and help limit the spread of COVID-19. Read my backgrounder to access more COVID-19 Information and Resources on ways to reduce the risks and protect yourself and others, including information on COVID-19 vaccination.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada