Canada’s top doctor warned against lifting restrictions being used to stem the spread of COVID-19 too soon.
“Now is absolutely not the time to change our current stance,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, head of the Public Health Agency of Canada. “We need to keep going on our public health measures but I think it’s a testament to the work of all Canadians that we have managed to move to this more positive direction.”
Tam said there are still some areas of concern and not just long term care facilities.
“We heard of a work camp in Alberta and other settings where we need to take a significant amount of care so that we don’t ignite new chains of transmission,” she said.
Over the weekend there was also an outbreak in La Loche, Sask., a mainly Dene community.
Six new cases were discovered over the weekend.
In Quebec, both Inuit and Innu communities are trying to contain cases and both Nunavik in the north, and along the North Shore are getting support from the Canadian Rangers.
Tam was also asked about how restless Canadians may be getting in light of the protests over social distancing in the U.S.
“Now is not the time to let go of all the hard earned efforts you have just put in to slow down this epidemic,” said Tam.
“We’ve got to keep going.”
During a rare session of parliament, the Conservatives asked about the government’s plan to restart the economy with new COVID-19 cases stabilizing.
“Canadians need to see a plan. When will the Liberals provide a national plan to get this country back to work?” asked Leona Alleslev (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill)
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said she’s coordinating with the provinces and territories.
“Whether it’s research, whether it’s support for public health, whether it’s boosting up our health care system across the country, these are steps we need to take together and in a co-ordinated fashion,” Hadju responded. “We’ll continue that hard work Mr. Speaker and we’ll come back to Canadians when we have a plan that will protect their safety first and foremost and allow people to get back to work.”
As of this posting, nearly 38,000 Canadians have tested positive for the new coronavirus – another 1,678 have died.
