Remarks by the Chief Public Health Officer, March 2, 2021

Speech

Remarks by the Chief Public Health Officer on COVID-19, March 2, 2021

To date, there have been 870,033 cases of COVID-19 in Canada, including 22,017 deaths. After a month of declining transmission, the number of daily cases has stabilized and is now increasing moderately nationally. The number of active cases is now at 30,430 nationwide. Over the past week, an average of 2,933 new cases and 42 deaths have been reported each day. During the same period, 2,169 people with COVID-19 were treated daily in Canadian hospitals, of which 568 were in intensive care.

When the number of cases remains high or increases further, we fear it will impact hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and deaths. In addition, the number of cases of more contagious worrying variants is still on the rise. At 1^is March, 1,257 cases of variant B.1.1.7, 99 cases of variant B.1.351 and 3 cases of variant P.1 were reported in Canada. While the hardest-hit provinces recorded the highest numbers, no province was spared. The experience of the small Atlantic provinces shows us that, although the situation has been well under control for many months, it can quickly spiral out of control when more contagious variants appear. It also shows us that the best way to regain control is to take strong public health action quickly.

The positive side of this long struggle, vaccines as opposed to variants, we are making great progress every day. Last week, Health Canada approved two additional COVID-19 vaccines, which are safe and effective. So we now have four vaccines at our disposal to fight COVID-19; each has unique benefits, but all help reduce severe cases of illness and death in Canada linked to COVID-19. Yesterday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated its guidelines to include recommendations on the use of AstraZeneca’s newly licensed COVID-19 vaccine to maximize public health benefits . NACI is also reviewing the intervals between the first and second dose of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines, to allow the greatest number of immunizations without compromising the effectiveness of the vaccines. NACI is considering the evidence from the latest scientific studies and plans to make its recommendations this week.

As the science behind COVID-19 vaccination continues to evolve, we are adapting expert recommendations to maximize the benefits of licensed vaccines. Canadians continue to support these efforts, not only through the compromises they have made to save time in the name of research and innovation, but also through commitment, learning and unwavering confidence in the scientific process. The journey was long and difficult, but we know that we will remain resolute in our approach, which will allow us to see it through to a successful conclusion.

We each need to focus on limited interactions with as few people as possible, for the shortest time, at the greatest possible distance in order to counter the spread of COVID-19, while immunization campaigns aimed at protecting all Canadians is gaining momentum.

For information and resources on COVID-19, see the backgrounder. Among other things, you will find information on vaccination and ways to reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting the disease to others.

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