National

Canada's pandemic future still uncertain, Tam says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Feb, 2022 11:00 AM

OTTAWA - Canada's chief public health officer says governments should be prepared to bring back public health measures in case of another serious variant of COVID-19.

Several provinces have begun to scale back on mandates for vaccines and masks, signalling a return to normalcy now that the Omicron wave is waning.

Dr. Theresa Tam says she hopes Canada is past the pandemic crisis and is now in a transition phase, headed toward recovery.

She says Canada must still be ready to bring some public health measures back if cases begin to shoot up again.

The goal, she says, will be to limit stiff restrictions in favour of "less heavy" measures like mask mandates.

She says COVID-19 is not going away, and Canada must be ready for next autumn when respiratory viruses typically resurge.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberals ready to release economic update

While the Bank of Canada has a mandate to keep inflation in check, the government agreed Monday it plays a role in helping the central bank maintain inflation around its two-per-cent target.

Liberals ready to release economic update

Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids

Data from the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia shows that Indigenous people are five times more likely to experience an overdose and three times more likely to die than other residents. The gap has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the authority said.

Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids

Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll

The discovery of unmarked graves at a former residential school in the B.C. Interior and the countrywide awakening it set off have been chosen as Canada’s news story of the year by editors in newsrooms across the country.

Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll

1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days

There are currently 2,949 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 217,705 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are currently in hospital and 72 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days

Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer

On December 2, 2021 a Richmond RCMP frontline officer was attempting to arrest a man for an alleged theft when the man allegedly assaulted the officer. During the attempted arrest, a struggle on the ground ensued. Prior to additional officers arriving, the man was able to break free and run from the area on foot.

Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer

27 teenagers crammed in a party bus with a dance floor, VPD issues fines in safety blitz

Officers found 27 teenagers crammed inside a party bus with a dance floor. The bus had been hired to take the teens downtown for a 17-year-old’s birthday party. VPD officers are now recommending 27 counts of failing to provide a chaperone for passengers under 19, allowing open liquor in a vehicle, and operating with too many passengers.