Flat curve, but virus still alive

CANADA: INCREASE IN CASES IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES

‘We will move forward together with care and common sense.’

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Canada’s coronavirus curve is flat but worrying trends are emerging, particularly outbreaks in vulnerable indigenous communities, the country’s top medical officer said.

The daily death toll in Canada has risen by 10% or more only once in the past 11 days. The total number of people killed by the coronavirus increased by six percent to 3 082 in a day, official data showed on Thursday.

“The Covid-19 curve is flat ... but we have to be very cautious going down the other side of the epidemic curve,” chief public health officer Theresa Tam said.

“Already on this path, we have seen some worrisome transmission events emerging,” she said, citing increasing cases in remote aboriginal communities in several of Canada’s 10 provinces.

Health officials say the virus spreads quickly in environments, often where vulnerable people are gathered, such as seniors’ residences, prisons and farflung parts of the country where healthcare is already patchy.

The figure for those diagnosed with the coronavirus had climbed to 52 056.

Quebec has emerged as Canada’s epicentre, with more than half of the country’s deaths, largely because of outbreaks at nursing homes.

Premier Francois Legault said 4 400 people were infected at nursing homes.

Testing across the province is expected to rise from 6 000 a day to 14 500, starting next week.

Alberta unveiled a plan to reopen its economy gradually, starting on Monday, with certain nonurgent surgeries, golf courses and services such as physiotherapists and social workers.

The next stage begins as early as 14 May, reopening retail businesses, hair salons, daycares and restaurants.

Moving to that stage hinges, however, on increased testing and contact tracing, with rules for using masks in crowded spaces.

Alberta has not set dates for reopening schools. “We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead,” Premier Jason Kenney said.

Ontario, which has not set dates to restart its economy, issued more than 60 guidelines for businesses when they reopen, ranging from barriers to additional labour inspectors to ensure compliance.

“We need to see the curve flatten for a number of weeks,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. “But we’re close.” – Reuters