Statement from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, March 29, 2021

On March 29, 2021, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Teresatam, issued the following statement regarding COVID-19:

March 29, 2021 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada

Monitoring the broader impact of the pandemic on population health and well-being remains a priority, especially among individuals at high risk of exposure and / or serious outcomes. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has worked with Statistics Canada to provide and develop new funding. Survey on COVID-19 and mental healthHow has changed life satisfaction, community affiliation, self-assessed mental health, and suicidal ideation among different Canadian adults across different socio-demographic characteristics since 2019? I’m investigating.This survey too Includes questions about clinical screening tools for assessing symptoms of child-rearing, alcohol and cannabis use, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder..

First findings A study found that one in five Canadians (21%) was positive for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Individuals were screened positive for these disorders if the screening tool score showed moderate to severe symptoms. Women aged 18 to 24 and young adults were more likely to report symptoms of these conditions. Many Canadians are adversely affected by the pandemic. These effects include feelings of loneliness and isolation, loss of work and income, and difficulty meeting financial obligations and essential needs. Those who reported these effects were four times more likely to be positive for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic disability. The results of this study underscore the need to continue to support the mental health and well-being of diverse Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is why the Government of Canada launched Wellness Together Canada In April 2020, we will provide Canadians with free, 24/7 access to confidential mental health and substance use support. Individuals have access to different levels of support, from information and self-assessment tools to sensitive text sessions with peer support, social workers, psychologists and other professionals and phone connections, depending on their needs. I will. It also provides individuals with the opportunity to assess their mental health and monitor their progress as they engage in selected care options.

COVID-19 is still active in Canada, so Tracking various epidemiological indicators To monitor where the disease is most active, where it is widespread, and how it affects the health and public health, laboratories and medical abilities of Canadians.At the same time, the Public Health Agency of Canada provides Canadians with regular updates to COVID-19. Vaccine administered, Scope of vaccination And continuous monitoring Vaccine safety Nationwide. The following is an up-to-date summary of the number and trends of countries and is the action we all should take to reduce infection rates while vaccination programs are expanding for the protection of all Canadians. The national seven-day average has not been updated in today’s statement due to a decline in reports over the weekend. These data are still being collected and analyzed. I will tell you the latest numbers in tomorrow’s remarks.

Since the inception of the pandemic, there have been 965,404 cases of COVID-19, including 22,880 deaths reported in Canada. These cumulative numbers tell us about the overall burden of COVID-19 infections to date. They also say, along with the results of serological studies: The majority of Canadians remain vulnerable to COVID-19.. There is optimism that COVID-19 vaccination can achieve widespread and sustained immunity as vaccination increases at an accelerating pace.We now have multiple safe and effective ones COVID-19 vaccine with unique advantages approved for use in Canada.. Vaccination rate Increasing across Canada, benefits are seen in high-priority, high-risk populations. As of March 29 Over 5.2 million doses have been administered throughout Canada.. Increased vaccine supply and accelerated vaccination programs will return additional benefits to protect more Canadians over the coming weeks and months.

However, the activity of COVID-19 has increased, and the proportion of cases containing more contagious variants of concern is high and strong. Public health measures And Individual notes It should be maintained in a place where COVID-19 is circulating. Driven by the most prevalent areas of Canada’s most populous states, the average daily number of cases is increasing nationwide. The latest national level data show an average of 4,057 new cases daily for 7 days (March 19-25). Currently, there are 43,590 active cases nationwide. Sustained high infection rates also affect delayed indicators of COVID-19 severity, leveling off or increasing, especially in areas of high disease activity. According to state and territory data, an average of 2,194 people with COVID-19 have been treated daily in Canadian hospitals for the last 7 days (March 19-25), of which 605 are in the intensive care unit. I was being treated. During the same period, an average of 29 COVID-19-related deaths were reported daily.

COVID-19 continues to affect people of all ages in Canada, but the prevalence is highest among people aged 20-39. Severe illness is less common among young adults, but it is important to remember that serious illness can occur at any age. Evidence indicates that the B.1.1.7 variant of concern is associated with the consequences of more severe illness in adults. In addition, the circulation of COVID-19 in younger, more mobile and socially connected adults indicates an ongoing risk of spreading to high-risk populations and the environment.Specific appearance and spread SARS-CoV-2 virus mutant Raise this concern. During the week of March 14-20, an average of 101,165 tests were completed daily across Canada, 3.7% of which were COVID-19 positive. As of March 28, a total of 8,266 Variants of concern cases have been reported throughout Canada, Includes 7,725, 272 P.1 variants, including B.1.1.7 variants, and 269 B.1.351 variants.

A high degree of attention must be maintained while the vaccination program continues to accelerate amid the feared trend of increased disease activity, varying severity, and an increasing proportion of cases with mutations of concern. Relaxation of public health measures is slow, signaled by key indicators and assessments of local conditions, and enhanced testing, screening, and genomic analysis to quickly detect and respond to mutants of concern. Must be accompanied. Sufficient contact tracing capabilities and effective isolation support are needed, especially given the increased transmissibility of the variants of interest.

Canadians are required to stay vigilant, follow local public health advice, and consistently maintain individual practices to keep us and our families safer. At home / self-quarantine If there is Symptoms, Think about risk Minimize non-essential activities and outings, Avoid all non-essential trips, And maintain individual protection practices Physical distance, Hands, cough And surface Hygiene and If necessary, wear a properly worn and properly worn face mask (Including indoor or outdoor shared spaces and shared spaces with people outside the immediate household).

Aiming to minimize interaction with the minimum number of people in the shortest time, shortest distance, shortest distance while wearing the best mask is to limit the spread of COVID-19 by all of us. A simple rule that can be applied. As the vaccine program expands to protect all Canadians.

Canadians can also take it one step further by sharing reliable information. COVID-19 Risks and Preventive Measures And Measures to reduce COVID-19 in the community And by downloading COVID alert An app that helps break the cycle of infection and limit the spread of COVID-19.Read my background description for more access COVID-19 Information and Resources How to mitigate risk and protect yourself and others COVID-19 vaccination..

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