Tam says Canada a series of ‘regional epidemics’

New Brunswick suspends legislature while Ontario sees jump in virus cases

Different regions face distinct challenges in emerging from COVID-19 lockdowns, Canada’s top public health doctor noted Thursday as New Brunswick had to suspend its legislature, Ontario saw a jump in cases and Manitoba grappled with loosening restrictions on gatherings.

Dr. Theresa Tam described Canada as “a series of regional epidemics,” with the hardesthit provinces remaining Ontario and Quebec.

“Even within those jurisdictions, you need to hone in on certain areas,” she said as she urged authorities to focus their efforts on hot spots and vulnerable areas.

Her assessment proved true on Thursday as various provinces experienced setbacks and successes in the fight against the virus.

New Brunswick’s provincial legislature abruptly adjourned, a day after officials confirmed a health-care worker who had travelled outside New Brunswick was at the origin of a cluster that has grown to at least six cases in the Campbellton area.

Premier Blaine Higgs has said the health-care worker was in contact with “multiple patients” over a two-week period after returning to the province without self-isolating. The area, near the border with Quebec, will now have to return to tighter restrictions on physical distancing.

Tam said the response shows public health officials across the country are taking a cautious approach to reopening.

Ontario also experienced a small setback as it reported 383 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, after several consecutive days of fewer than 300 new cases. It brings the provincial total to 26,866, an increase of 1.4 per cent over the previous day.

The province continued to deal with the fallout of a scathing Canadian Armed Forces report alleging “horrific” conditions in five long-term-care homes.

On Thursday, five Ontario Liberal MPs representing ridings with long-term-care homes “devastated” by COVID-19 urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Health Minister Patty Hajdu to push the province to hold a full inquiry into the province’s longterm-care system.

They said Ottawa should work with the provinces to develop “enforceable national standards.”