Provinces react to prediction of second-wave

Quebecers are being urged to limit their social contact and Ontario is trying to get a handle on its testing backlog, while Alberta’s top doctor says she doesn’t believe a second wave of COVID-19 and tougher restrictions are foregone conclusions.

“Please, we’re asking Quebecers, all Quebecers, that you limit your social contact over the next few weeks,” Health Minister Christian Dube said Thursday, as Canada’s hardest-hit province recorded 582 new daily cases, up from 471 a day earlier.

“We can break this wave, but we need your support to make this additional sacrifice.”

Ontario, meanwhile, tweaked its approach to asymptomatic testing on Thursday as many centres in the province have struggled with long lineups. Back-to-school demand has contributed to a processing backlog of nearly 54,000 tests.

That province reported 409 new infections on Thursday, an increase from 335 a day earlier.

Previously, anyone who wanted to get a COVID-19 test could go to an assessment centre.

“There are two groups: people that want a test just for getting a test because they’ll feel a little more comfortable ... or people who need a test,” said Premier Doug Ford.

“We have to focus on the people who need a test.”

Alberta reined back its broad asymptomatic testing last week, limiting it to close contacts of confirmed cases and high-risk groups. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said there has so far been no decrease in testing volumes or the positivity rate.

Hinshaw said the concept of a second wave implies that the virus is spreading uncontrolled. She said while Alberta’s daily case counts have been elevated for the past few months, they have remained relatively stable.

“When I think about a second wave, I think about a very large spike of uncontrolled spread, and that’s not our only possible future,” she said.