Canada confirms 20,002 new COVID-19 cases in one week

Ottawa [Canada], October 15:Canada confirmed 20,002 new COVID-19 cases for the week ending Oct. 8, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said on Friday.
The number of total COVID-19 cases and deaths in Canada reached 4,293,273 and 45,689 respectively, according to the weekly update issued by the PHAC.
The daily positive rate during the week averaged at 12.9 percent, and daily tests per 100,000 people were 57.
According to the PHAC, between Oct. 3 and Oct. 10, the total number of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients increased from 5,070 to 5,373 beds, the number of non-ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients increased from 4,841 to 5,138 beds, the number of ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients increased from 229 to 235 beds, and the number of COVID-19 patients who were mechanically vented increased from 89 to 100.
A public health expert said in the media that the impact of new variants remains unknown and that the arrival of flu season at a time when COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising could put heavy pressure on local healthcare system.
The federal government got rid of COVID-19 border restrictions from October including mandatory vaccinations, testing and quarantine of international travellers.
Health Canada said vaccination continues to be one of the most effective tools to protect against COVID-19 and that getting booster doses as recommended will help protect individuals against serious illness and other complications from COVID-19 infection. According to Health Canada, all mRNA COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada continue to be very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Source: Xinhua