The highly contagious variant of omicron has caused the number of cases in Canada to skyrocket.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TRENTON — Kasus Covid-19 from Canada surpassed the 2 million mark on Monday (27/12). The spike in cases is due to the widespread variant of Omicron in Canada.
The highly contagious variant of omicron has caused the number of cases to skyrocket, especially in the two most populous provinces. Ontario reported more than 9,400 cases Monday for the fourth straight day. Meanwhile, Quebec has recorded a spike in infections at more than 8,000 cases.
Public health officials fear the rise in cases could overwhelm the healthcare system. HealthCareCAN president Paul-Emile Cloutier, who represents research hospitals and regional health authorities, said healthcare workers were overwhelmed with patients with Covid-19.
“Medical professionals try to give patients the care they need. But they do it when they’re tired. They do it when they’re at their wit’s end,” Cloutier said. Anadolu Agency, Tuesday (28/12).
A number of provinces are adopting new restrictions as the omicron variant continues to grow. “I think everyone agrees the numbers will be higher,” Cloutier said.
University of Toronto Health Network infectious disease expert Abdu Sharkaway said the rise in Covid-19 cases is not expected to subside over the next three to four weeks. According to him, strict restrictive measures must be put in place to stem the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.
“These numbers are unlikely to slow for at least the next three to four weeks unless very drastic action is taken,” Sharkaway said.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University in the United States (US), the number of Covid-19 cases in Canada has reached 2,005,105, with 30,215 deaths. Active cases are below 160,000 and 1.8 million people have recovered. According to Canadian government statistics, 77.2% of Canada’s 38 million people have received full vaccinations.
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