Tam admits messaging is confusing

TORONTO — Canada's chief public health officer urged residents to continue making a “collective effort” to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday as parts of the country braced for new rounds of restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus.

Dr. Theresa Tam issued a statement acknowledging confusion over appropriate public health measures is understandable in light of the fact the pandemic is playing out differently across different provinces and territories.

But she stressed that Canadians must “keep our number of in-person close contacts low” and adhere to public health practices.

“There are no quick fixes and COVID-19 is not going away, so public health is focused on making the response sustainable through to the end of the pandemic, balancing the health, social and economic consequences,” Tam said Saturday in a news release. “What is certain, is that our response requires a collective effort. Everyone's actions matter.”

Canada continued climbing toward the 200,000 mark for COVID-19 cases, with 196,324 confirmed cases reported Saturday.

Canada also recorded 9,746 deaths related to the virus.

On Friday, the Manitoba government announced it would impose increased COVID-19 restrictions in Winnipeg on Monday, while the Ontario government plans to do the same in York Region, north of Toronto. Restrictions limiting visitors at long-term care homes in the region also took effect as of Saturday, the Ontario government said.

Quebec continued to post the highest number of new COVID-19 diagnoses in the country, reporting 1,279 new cases Saturday.

With different approaches across the country while schools and some businesses remain open, the situation is “complicated” and challenging, Tam said.

“Keeping apart is difficult, but it is what will make us stronger, more resilient and better able to sustain public health efforts through the fall and winter.”