Canada’s chief public health officer says we need to step up our efforts to stamp out COVID-19 outbreaks in high-risk settings.
“There are signs that our collective efforts, starting several weeks back, have had an impact on slowing down the epidemic,” says Dr. Teresa Tam, “…assuming our staycation for the nation over the long weekend has helped to maintain this trend, we now need to double-down to stamp out outbreaks in high-risk settings.”
She explains that even though they have primarily talked about long-term care homes, there are other groups that urgently need attention.
“Not having a home is a significant barrier to following public health advice, like maintaining physical distancing and hand hygiene.”
Tam says that immediate action is needed to look after those without a home to prevent further outbreaks and avoidable deaths.
Despite the warning, she says that some municipalities are starting to act.
“Some are starting to secure additional accommodation to ease crowding and facilitate physical distancing. This is a good step forward. Volunteers are reaching out to support homeless shelters, including making hygiene kits, and helping to serve and deliver meals to those in need.”
Tam adds that we cannot crush the curve unless and until everyone is looked after.
As of late Thursday, there were 30,081 confirmed cases with 1,193 deaths, with almost 50 per cent of the deaths linked to long-term care homes.
