Menu

Public Health

justin-trudeau

Trudeau Tests Positive For COVID-19 Again

, , , ,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again tested positive for COVID-19.

In a tweet on Monday, Trudeau said he is following public health guidelines and isolating himself.

“I feel okay, but that’s because I got my shots,” Trudeau said in the tweet.

Trudeau then encouraged all eligible Canadians who have not done so to get their shots.

The positive test follows his visit to the Summit of the Americas in California last week.

Canada’s prime minister also tested positive for COVID-19 back in late January.

xezXEh_fIeU-scaled-1

Detailed Cellphone Data Used To Track Canadians During The Pandemic

, , , , , , , , , ,

It seems that big brother really is always watching.

Peoples travel habits were tracked, in detail, by their phones during the past two years of the pandemic.

Trips to grocery stores, liquor stores, pharmacies and other locations were monitored by third parties and shared with a Toronto based company called BlueDot.

What is BlueDot? Via their website and LinkedIN page;

…Using artificial and human intelligence, BlueDot’s outbreak risk platform tracks over 150 infectious diseases globally in 65 languages, around the clock and anticipates their spread and impact. They empower national and international health agencies, hospitals, and businesses to better anticipate, and respond to, emerging threats.

BlueDot was among the first in the world to identify the emerging risk from, and publish a scientific paper on, COVID-19, and delivers regular critical Insights to its partners and customers worldwide to mobilize timely, effective, efficient, coordinated, and measured responses.

BlueDot was founded in 2013 by Dr. Kamran Khan, a practicing infectious disease physician, and Professor of Medicine with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Toronto. Motivated by his experiences as a frontline healthcare worker during the 2003 Toronto SARS outbreak, Dr. Khan has been studying the outbreak of infectious diseases over the past 15 years to lay the scientific foundation for BlueDot’s early warning system.

Public Health Agency of Canada received data, with redacted personal information, that mapped the travels of individuals and movement habits over the course of the last two years of living with COVID-19.

An ethic committee within parliament received a similar report, as it is looking into cellphone data and how it’s used at Public Health.

This data was used to see how long people were travelling in and away from their neighbourhoods, even over specific time periods (like the Christmas holidays or long weekends) as well as logging specific locations and how many visits that location received.

On May 4, 2022, the ethics committee decided that Canadians should be aware if the federal agency is collecting data and provide an option to opt out.

Canada had originally announced the partnership with BlueDot in March 2020, a timeline of the key events can be read here.

TAM-May-20

National COVID-19 Modelling Projects 4th Wave

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Canada is on the path towards concerning COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations according to COVID-19 modelling revealed by the country’s top health officials on Friday.

The loosening of pandemic restrictions throughout provinces and territories paired with slowing vaccination rates and the rapid spread of the delta variant has generated concern among health officials.

“This updated longer-range forecast shows how the epidemic trajectory may evolve through early September. It suggests that we are at the start of the Delta driven fourth wave but that the trajectory will depend on ongoing increase in fully vaccinated coverage and the timing, pace and extent of re-opening,” said Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam.

The seven-day rolling average for cases is 93% lower than the peak of the third wave, although a resurgence in cases has been recorded.

“Not surprisingly the majority of cases, hospitalizations and fatal outcomes are occurring among unvaccinated people,” said Tam.

“There have been relatively few cases reported in people that have received at least one dose of COVID-19 and fewer still among those who are fully vaccinated.”

Canada’s previous success battling COVID-19 has prompted many provinces to loosen their health measures, however, the recent figures suggest the changes may be too soon.

“This forecast reaffirms the need to take a cautious approach to relaxing public health measures, to remain vigilant and responsive to signs of resurgence and to continue to increase first and second dose vaccine coverage,” Tam said.

Long-term forecasts indicate a resurgence of cases is likely this Fall and Winter when restrictive measures and individual precautions are lifted.

“Canada has made great progress on increasing vaccine coverage over the last month, but we need more eligible people vaccinated.”

pallister-screen-grab

Manitoba Introduces COVID-19 Immunization Cards

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Manitoba is launching a new program to try and get more people vaccinated.

Premier Brian Pallister announced immunization cards for Manitobans who have had both doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Pallister says there are three big perks to the cards.

“You’ll be permitted to travel within Canada without having to self-isolate upon your return,” says Pallister, “You’ll be exempt from self-isolation if you’re deemed a close contact and you’ll be able to visit family and friends in a personal care home.”

He explains the perks might not just stop there.

“As we move forward with our reopening plans and as more Manitobans get fully vaccinated, there may be more items or privileges available to those who have an immunization card based on the advice of Public Health.”

The Premier adds that he hopes the cards aren’t around for the long haul.

“We hope this is a temporary measure, of course, as we get to the point where everyone is vaccinated and we don’t need to worry. In the interim period, this is an important additional thing that will benefit you.”

Manitobans can apply for a physical or digital immunization card two weeks after their second COVID-19 shot here.

Premier Pallister adds that getting vaccinated and following public health measures are the fastest way to save the summer.

Dr.-Howard-Njoo-CanadaE28099s-deputy-chief-public-health-officer-1

Public Health Measures Still Required Says Njoo

, , , , , , , , , ,

Canada’s deputy chief public health officer is reminding people that despite restrictions easing up, it’s important to follow public health measures.

Dr. Howard Njoo said there are still people who can become very sick from COVID-19.

“Continue to follow the individual public health measures that are important to stop the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

“Any optimism is predicated on our continued respect of public health measures.”

There have now been 81,765 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 6,180 deaths and 41,986 or 51 per cent have recovered.

There have been over 1,401,000 people tested with about 5 per cent testing positive overall.

Labs across Canada are testing an average of 26,000 to 28,000 people daily.

“Public health officials in your area will make recommendations based on a number of factors, including the rates of infection and/or transmission in the community,” he said.

Njoo said recommendations may vary from location to location based on local reality.

“Remember it is now recommended that Canadians wear a nonmedical mask as another layer of protection for settings where physical distancing is not possible.”

City20Hall_7-1

Dryden Reluctantly Agrees To Pay More For Public Health

, ,

The City of Dryden will have to shell out more money for public health after all.

Councillor Norm Bush says they have decided to pay the 2020 municipal levy increase despite an earlier decision to only pay 2019 rates.

Increased pressure on public health due to COVID-19 factored into the decision.

The hike results in another $30,000 out of City coffers.

However, Bush stresses they can’t continue to absorb these unsustainable cost increases and he’s hoping for better dialogue with the health unit after the pandemic ends.

John Carlucci agrees that the decision doesn’t mean the City can afford on-going levy increases.

“I just don’t want to take our foot off the gas. If down the road we can have a healthy discussion with the Northwestern Health Unit, that should be done, because I still think we are paying a lot more than we can afford.”

Michelle Price says they need to start dealing with this now so they are ready for 2021.

“Let the health unit know that we desperately can’t afford to have these continued hikes and rates.

The 2019 rate was $363,780.99.

In 2020 the City of Dryden will be required to pay $393,330.08.

tam-2-1

Tam Says Illnesses Have Health Consequences Beyond Themselves

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Chief Public Health Officer called attention to a Statistics Canada report on excess deaths in Canada in relation to COVID-19.

Dr. Theresa Tam said this is a measure of the additional deaths over and above the expected number based on trends from previous years.

“It is an important way for us to understand the full impact of an extraordinary event like COVID-19 against expected mortality,” she said.

There are now 71,486 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada with 5,209 deaths.

 

Tam said these illnesses can have health consequences beyond themselves.

“Such as increased illness and death associated with mental health issues, problematic substance use or delayed health-seeking for acute and chronic health conditions,” she said.

Tam said delays in seeking care for life-threatening illnesses or chronic disease management can affect death rates.

“Likewise delayed or missed appointments for prevention visits to maintain routine vaccinations, increases the risk of infectious disease outbreaks and associated illness and deaths.”

Tam said it is vital to maintain health visits for everything from prevention and vaccines to mental health and chronic disease management and not delaying getting immediate attention for life threatening health and mental health concerns.

She said healthcare providers have implemented a range of precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure patient’s safety.

“Speak with your healthcare provider to see what options are available for you and your family to safely have your health needs met.”

34,496 or 48 per cent of people in Canada have recovered from COVID-19.

1,169,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 with 6 per cent testing positive overall.

Tam-May-8-1

COVID-19 Testing Clarified By Chief Public Health Officer

, , , , , , , , , ,

Canada’s chief public health officer gave some clarification regarding COVID-19 testing in Canada.

Dr. Theresa Tam, says when talking about current lab capacity, it’s about building up the ability to determine a surge in cases when public health measures are relaxed.

“Specifically a robust testing capacity is a vital component of our case finding, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine approach to rapidly corner the virus,” she said.

Tam says we know we’re testing enough by the percentage of tests that come back positive.

“The lower the percentage of positive tests, the better your surveillance is. When the positive tests are really high, you’re missing a lot of infections.”

There have been over 1,032,000 people tested in Canada so far, with 65,399 confirmed cases of COVID-19, or 6 per cent testing positive.

Tam said the World Health Organization benchmark is to aim for a percentage positive rate of 10 per cent or below.

“Canada has maintained a percentage positive rate below ten per cent throughout the epidemic. Most encouragingly our average weekly percent positive rate has been declining from 9.8 per cent in early April to about 4 per cent in early May.”

There have been 4,471 deaths from COVID-19 and 45 per cent of COVID-19 cases have recovered.

nwhu_17-2

Health Unit Launches COVID-19 Survey

, ,

Information on COVID-19 and its impact on our area is now being collected by the Northwestern Health Unit.

Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmill says the public is being asked to help them by completing an online survey.

“We are gathering information on what steps local residents have taken to protect themselves against the coronavirus. What concerns they have and where they get information from to inform themselves of what’s going on with the pandemic.”

Dr. Gemmill adds “We want to know how well our population is understanding the pandemic as it affects this area. Also to help us know what needs to be done in terms of information.”

He says all input received will be used to determine areas where the Health Unit can provide support.

Dr. Gemmill states it will also help in future communication strategies.

To participate visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3TR9FPJ

 

Dr.-Theresa-Tam-May-1-1

Pandemic A Challenging And Shape-shifting Event For Physicians

, , , , , , , , , ,

Canada’s chief public health officer is calling the COVID-19 pandemic the most challenging and shapeshifting event in a physicians’ career.

Dr. Theresa Tam says doctors are doing important work across the county and around the world.

“Some are working tirelessly to care for and save the lives of patients with COVID-19. Others are working despite the challenges of COVID-19 to maintain the best level of care for their patients in all other areas,” she said.

There are 53,657 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada.

Deaths increased more than a thousand from the beginning of the week, now totalling to 3,223.

Labs across Canada have tested 837,000 people so far with roughly 7 per cent of those testing positive.

Tam took a moment to recognize doctors on National Physicians’ Day.

“I would like to acknowledge the leadership, support and wisdom of my provincial and territorial colleagues. Their collaboration has made us all stronger in leading Canada through the rough terrain of COVID-19,” she said.

Tam said citizens should speak with their healthcare provider to see what options are available to have health needs met.

“Health care providers are there to address your health issues. Virtual appointments may be possible and a whole range of precautions have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in health care settings.”

Load More