Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer reported Tuesday afternoon that Canada has 26,631 reported cases of COVID-19 and 823 people have died as a result of the virus.
Dr. Theresa Tam said there has been completed lab testing for over 450,000 people with 6 per cent confirmed positive.
Tam reminded Canadians that while this is a challenging time for everyone, children are particularly impacted.
“Children’s daily routines have been turned upside down and the things they have most been looking forward to, have been canceled. As for us, it is for them,” she said.
Tam said lies and secrecy wouldn’t help children but talking to kids honestly and reassuring them we will get through this will help build resilience.
She also suggested showing gratitude to those working to keep our society running and limiting media consumption.
She noted that this April was the fortieth anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope.
“Terry believed that anything is possible if you try and that even one person can make a difference. Although Terry was not able to complete his journey, his spirit of hope remains with Canadians all these years later,” she said.
Tam said we should follow the example set for us by Fox and heed his message more than ever.
“The sacrifices we are making to maintain physical distancing are making a difference to slow the spread of COVID-19. So stay home, save lives, and let’s give our best efforts to plank the curve, then crush it,” she said.
Tam said the results change over the day, and Canada continues to improve its testing to track where the spread of COVID-19 happens.