Canada COVID cases creep up as more activities move indoors
Posted November 10, 2021 7:22 am.
Last Updated November 10, 2021 7:49 am.
The COVID-free fall and winter we were all hoping for is not happening, even though the vast majority of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated.
The overall Canadian population is currently just shy of a 75 per cent vaccination rate. That number rises to 85 per cent when you consider how many Canadians 12 and up have received a full series of a vaccine.
You’ve done it again, Canada! 85% of the eligible population is now #FullyVaccinated against #COVID19. Let’s keep going! The more people fully vaccinated the better our protection. #COVID19Vaccines #ChooseToVaccinatehttps://t.co/OVdQu3SFAs pic.twitter.com/XLJOc3pdpn
— Canada's CPHO (@CPHO_Canada) November 8, 2021
We’re still waiting for the green light from Health Canada to get children as young as five vaccinated, with the agency continuing to review the data.
However, despite these strides, some areas of the country are seeing case counts on the rise, as we inch closer to winter and more activities move indoors.
The infection numbers are cause for some concern. In Ontario and Quebec, there’s been a 40 per cent jump in average daily new cases compared to last month.
Related article: Canada’s health care costs climb to $308 billion in 2021 due to COVID-19: CIHI report
In Nova Scotia, that soars to a 300 per cent jump in cases.
Nationally, the seven-day moving average of daily cases is up four per cent this week compared to last. Canada’s top doctor noted on Tuesday this is not unexpected, but urged vigilance in the weeks and months ahead.
“It’s a reminder we need those layers of protection,” Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said on Twitter.
2/2 Keeping up with #PublicHealth advice and being vigilant with individual practices/layers of protection is increasingly important for the months ahead: #COVID19Vaccines #FluShot #WashMaskSpace #GoodVentilation #COVIDKnowHow https://t.co/awMKelveL0
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) November 9, 2021
The rise in cases of late has prompted some officials to call for a tightening of pandemic restrictions.
Tam continues to urge people to keep layers of protection in place to help see us through the winter months, adding masks, hand hygiene, good ventilation, and getting your flu shot are key.
