Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Vaccinations stepped up but COVID still a threat

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Mar, 2021 06:30 PM
  • Vaccinations stepped up but COVID still a threat

Health authorities stepped up COVID-19 vaccination efforts on Wednesday amid a stubbornly consistent spread of new infections and related deaths.

As a result, the Public Health Agency of Canada urged caution in the lifting of anti-pandemic restrictions, saying easing should be slow and with special attention to emerging variants that are more contagious.

The vast majority of Canadians are still susceptible to COVID-19, Dr. Theresa Tam, the country's chief public health officer, said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Although COVID-19 activity had been declining nationally from mid-January through mid-February, daily case counts have since levelled off," Tam said.

"With the continued increase of cases and outbreaks associated with more contagious variants, we must all remain vigilant with public health measures and individual precautions to prevent a rapid shift in trajectory of the epidemic."

To date, Canada has seen almost 894,000 cases of COVID-19, more than 22,300 of those fatal. Infection rates are now highest among those aged 20-39 years old, latest data show.

Health Canada said it expected Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna would deliver more than two million doses of vaccine in the next two weeks.

In the interim, the pandemic continued its spread, particularly in hard-hit Central Canada.

Ontario reported 1,316 new infections — most in Toronto and surrounding areas — and another 16 deaths. Quebec saw another 792 cases, with 10 more people dying from the disease.

Both provinces reported some progress on the vaccination front, with another 18,000 people in Ontario inoculated and 35,000 more in Quebec.

Manitoba said it would be launching pop-up vaccination sites next week in places such as Flin Flon, Portage La Prairie, Dauphin and Gimli in an effort to reach communities far from existing "super sites" Appointments have to be booked through the provincial call centre.

Saskatchewan, too, said residents will be able to book vaccinations by phone or online starting on Thursday. Premier Scott Moe said the province was in the final stretch of the pandemic and the aim was to start vaccinating people aged 60 to 69 by early next month.

The ongoing pandemic and measures to combat the spread have taken a toll on mental health, Tam said. The problem is especially acute for those without access to their regular support networks, she said.

To help mitigate pandemic-related stress and anxiety, the public health agency announced a new online portal — Wellness Together Canada. Anyone can access immediate, confidential supports for mental health or substance use at any time and at no cost.

Vaccination efforts are also ongoing in federal prisons, where infection rates have reached about 10 per cent — roughly five times the rate of the general population. About 600 offenders have received shots, Correctional Service of Canada reported.

To date, more than 1,400 inmates have contracted the virus and five have died.

MORE National ARTICLES

New warships to cost $17B more than expected: PBO

New warships to cost $17B more than expected: PBO
Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux’s latest estimate is $17 billion more than the government’s stated price for the 15 warships, which are to be built in Halifax over the next two decades and form the Navy’s backbone for most of the century.

New warships to cost $17B more than expected: PBO

Some travellers not complying with Quarantine Act

Some travellers not complying with Quarantine Act
Police said they will not detain anyone for breaking the hotel quarantine rule unless there are aggravating circumstances involved, such as a criminal offence.

Some travellers not complying with Quarantine Act

Tories' O'Toole hits turbulence six months in

Tories' O'Toole hits turbulence six months in
Caucus morale is buoyed by this week's House of Commons vote in favour of a motion declaring a genocide against Uighur Muslims in China.

Tories' O'Toole hits turbulence six months in

Crash on Highway 16 kills Vancouver-area man

Crash on Highway 16 kills Vancouver-area man
An RCMP statement says the collision happened Monday as the Alberta man in a westbound pickup was overtaking an empty logging truck.

Crash on Highway 16 kills Vancouver-area man

COVID-19 on two more units of Vancouver hospital

COVID-19 on two more units of Vancouver hospital
A statement from Vancouver Coastal Health says outbreaks are underway on inpatient units T-14-G and T-11-G in the highrise tower of the hospital's Jim Pattison Pavilion.

COVID-19 on two more units of Vancouver hospital

Richmond RCMP mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated force members Constable Jasmine Thiara

Richmond RCMP mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated force members Constable Jasmine Thiara
The death happened while they were off duty and the BC Coroners Service is conducting an investigation to determine the facts surrounding the death.

Richmond RCMP mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated force members Constable Jasmine Thiara