The total number of COVID-19 cases in Canada soared to more than 5,500 on Saturday as hundreds of new cases were reported.
A total of 61 people have died from the virus, including 22 in Quebec, 19 in Ontario, 17 in British Columbia, two in Alberta, and one in Manitoba.
Dr. Theresa Tam, the country’s chief public health officer, said about seven per cent of cases have required hospitalization, about three per cent have been critically ill, and one per cent have been fatal.
Tam notes nearly one-third of those who have been hospitalized were under the age of 40.
“I am reminding Canadians not to underestimate the severity of this disease. The devastating impacts of COVID-19 is evident in Europe and parts of the United States,” said Tam on Saturday.
“We continue to keep a close eye on the severity of the disease because although there will be day-to-day fluctuations, a sustained trend of increased severity could point to a higher rate of infection in vulnerable populations or that the health system is being overwhelmed.”
But despite the growing number of cases across the country, there are signs of hope in at least one province.
Tam said there is “cautious optimism” in British Columbia, the first province to experience community transmission of the virus.
“It is still too early to know for sure, but after weeks of public health interventions, the rate of growth appears to be slowing,” she said.
“We will be closely looking at B.C. over the coming week for better clarity on the effect of their public health measures.”
Tam said this should spur us to keep up with the new habit of physical distancing, despite the hardships.
More than 184,000 thousand have been tested in Canada, an increase of 84,000 people since Monday.
Tam said just because you are not hearing of cases in your community does not mean there are not any or there no exposures waiting to happen.
Close to 500 people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 across Canada are reported to have recovered.
