OTTAWA – The latest modelling from the federal government shows Canada is still on track for a “rapid growth trajectory” in COVID-19 cases by the end of this year.
The data suggests Canada is still expected to see 10,000 daily cases of the virus before the end of 2020 — if we maintain our current trend.
If Canadians increase their contacts, that number could jump to 30,000 a day by early January.
This modelling shows if we maintain our current trend, then we are still projected to hit 10,000 cases a day before the end of the year. If we increase contacts it could spike to 30,000 a day by early January #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/yLXeKM6BLl
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) December 11, 2020
“Currently, there are over 73,200 active cases in Canada — up from 52,000 just three weeks ago. Despite over 440,000 cumulative cases, just over one per cent of the Canadian population has tested positive for COVID-19 to date,” Chief Medical Health Officer Doctor Theresa Tam said Friday.
She said that’s an important reminder that the vast majority of Canadians remains susceptible to the virus.
577,000 cases by Christmas
The figures show the country is still struggling to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control during the second wave, and officials are saying provinces need to do more in terms of restrictions to get case numbers down.
The modelling projects Canada will have 577,000 cases by Christmas, and up to 14,920 deaths.
Most health regions across the country are reporting higher case counts. There are also escalating cases in the high-risk populations, such as those above the age of 80.
There are escalating cases in the high risk population of people 80 years of age and older. There are also an increasing number of outbreaks at long term care facilities and first nations communities. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/JnUYU1nZjW
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) December 11, 2020
There are also more outbreaks at long-term care facilities and Indigenous communities across Canada.
“COVID-19 is still presenting a very clear danger to Canadians across the country,” Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Friday.