Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

National data standards in the works after COVID-19 highlighted info gaps: Hajdu

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jun, 2020 08:33 PM
  • National data standards in the works after COVID-19 highlighted info gaps: Hajdu

Health Minister Patty Hajdu says federal officials are working on national standards for health data collection after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted major gaps in information.

She told a Senate committee today that national standards — and ensuring information is shared quickly with Ottawa — is part of ongoing negotiations with the provinces over $14 billion in new federal COVID-19 transfers.

Hajdu says she was surprised to learn of the "fractured" way in which data is collected in the provinces and territories and how difficult it can be to have it reported to the federal level.

She says more detailed data is needed to track how vulnerable certain populations are to the novel coronavirus and notes that raced-based data has not been available at the federal level in part because not all jurisdiction have been collecting that information.

Dr. Theresa Tam told the committee that when the COVID-19 outbreak first began, federal public health officials had a hard time getting even basic epidemiological data from the provinces and territories to get a national picture of transmission rates.

The chief public health officer says that basic data is now coming in more quickly, but officials are working on getting more detailed information about specific populations.

MORE National ARTICLES

Greens likely to hold virtual leadership convention due to pandemic: May

Greens likely to hold virtual  leadership convention due to pandemic: May
The first leadership contest for the Green Party of Canada in 14 years is likely to end in October with an online announcement instead of a big party, former Leader Elizabeth May said Wednesday, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spare no big events.

Greens likely to hold virtual leadership convention due to pandemic: May

Horgan calls for national anti-racism program; will pitch idea to PM, premiers

Horgan calls for national anti-racism program; will pitch idea to PM, premiers
B.C. Premier John Horgan says he will push for a national anti-racism program this week during a conference call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his fellow premiers.

Horgan calls for national anti-racism program; will pitch idea to PM, premiers

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Deletes Tweet, Apologizes to RCMP

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Deletes Tweet, Apologizes to RCMP
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum gets heat from the RCMP after his Safe Surrey Coalition party puts out a slanderous tweet accusing the RCMP of a murder of a man in Prince George.

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum Deletes Tweet, Apologizes to RCMP

Discipline of Vancouver officer to be reviewed by retired judge: commissioner

Discipline of Vancouver officer to be reviewed by retired judge: commissioner
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner of B.C. has ordered a review of the findings of a discipline investigation against a Vancouver police officer.

Discipline of Vancouver officer to be reviewed by retired judge: commissioner

Bank of Canada keeps key rate target on hold, expects return to growth in Q3

Bank of Canada keeps key rate target on hold, expects return to growth in Q3
The economy appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of Canada said Wednesday as it kept its key interest rate steady at its lower bound.

Bank of Canada keeps key rate target on hold, expects return to growth in Q3

Protests are important but risks of COVID-19 must be considered: Freeland

Protests are important but risks of COVID-19 must be considered: Freeland
Deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland suggested Wednesday that COVID-19 will keep her away from anti-racism marches planned across Canada in coming days.

Protests are important but risks of COVID-19 must be considered: Freeland