COVID-19: Provincial & Federal Briefings - Jan. 6-7, 2022
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Summary of developments for Thursday, January 6 and Friday, January 7, 2022 follows.
Federal Government
COVID-19 Update:
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic Leblanc held a press conference today. Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Doctor Theresa Tam and Deputy Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Doctor Howard Njoo joined the Ministers.
Minister Leblanc stated that new daily case counts are increasing across the country. Minister Leblanc said that the Government of Canada anticipates more requests for federal support from the provinces in the coming weeks, but noted that health care is within provincial jurisdiction and the federal government will seek to fill in gaps where needed. The federal government will meet with all premiers next week to discuss the path forward.
Minister Duclos restated that the Government of Canada will deliver 140 million rapid tests to provinces and territories in the month of January. Minister Duclos called rapid tests an important tool and a vital first line of defence against the Omicron variant. In the month of January, Quebec will receive 31.5 million tests, Ontario will receive 54 million tests, and Alberta will receive 16.2 million tests. The remaining provinces and territories will receive tests proportionately according to their populations.
Minister Duclos said that the Government of Canada will make announcements about antiviral drugs and COVID-19 treatments in the coming weeks.
Minister Duclos also stated that vaccination, in combination with other health measures, remains critical. 77% of all Canadians have been fully vaccinated. 8.6 million booster shots have been administered to date. Minister Duclos also announced that there will be enough paediatric vaccine doses in Canada to administer two dosses to all children aged 5-11 by the end of January.
Dr. Tam confirmed that cases are rising rapidly and the Omicron variant now predominates all other strains of the virus. She stated that the average daily new cases over the last 7-days reached over 42,000, which represents increase of over 65% from the previous week. Due to limited testing capacity, Dr. Tam echoed what provincial health officials have been saying; underreporting of new cases is to be expected. With this reality in mind, authorities are employing models that account for underreporting to monitor disease activity and severity. National severity trends are rising rapidly. Laboratory testing positivity is estimated at 29%, indicating significant community transmission. Although the risk of hospitalization is lower with the Omicron variant, the explosive rise in case counts is resulting in increased hospitalizations. On average, over 3,650 people a day were treated in hospital for COVID-19 over the last 7 days, including 600 in intensive care units (ICUs). An average of 39 deaths are occurring daily.
Dr. Tam reiterated that Canadians must continue to get vaccinated, receive boosters, limit contacts to household members as much as possible, and use layered protection to reduce risk of exposure and spread. Proper ventilation and well-fitting masks are essential in this regard. Almost seven million Canadians have not completed their primary vaccination series.
In response to media questions about rapid testing, Minister Duclos stated that the Government of Canada will procure as many tests as possible, as early as possible. The federal government’s distribution strategy has three main objectives: (1) meet public health objectives, (2) be efficient and deliver tests quickly and predictably, (3) be equitable, recognizing that there will always be scarcity in the short and medium term.
Asked by media about equity in access to rapid tests, Minister Duclos expressed full confidence in the ability of provinces and territories to meet the needs of their populations. He noted that the federal government is distributing tests using a per capita formula in an effort to ensure equity across jurisdictions to the greatest extent possible.
Responding to questions about requests for support from provinces and territories, Minister Leblanc stated that the Government of Canada will always provide federal resources to provinces and territories as required. However, federal resources are finite, and ongoing discussions between levels of government will be critical for ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in delivering federal support.
Following media questions about the possibility of federal resources running out, Minister Duclos stated that the federal government will always support provinces and territories to the greatest extent possible. He also stated that provinces and territories are right to act now in an effort to avoid or limit the need for federal assistance.
Minister Duclos expressed his personal view that mandatory vaccination will likely be introduced in the future, accompanied by enforcement measures. Mandatory vaccination policies will also likely be necessary given the ongoing strain on the health system and the importance of vaccination as a tool to end the COVID-19 crisis.
Asked about a federal response to the severe outbreak of COVID-19 at Bearskin Lake First Nation, Minister Duclos noted that Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, is in communication with leadership and officials to ensure that federal resources are available as needed. Minister Duclos and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) are collaborating with Minister Hajdu in that effort. Minister Duclos did not provide any information about a possible military deployment to assist Bearskin Lake First Nation.
Commenting on Erin O’Toole’s call for accommodations for the unvaccinated using regular testing, Minister Duclos said that rapid testing will not end the crisis. He reiterated that vaccination is the only way forward, and criticized O’Toole’s position.
Minister Duclos provided an update on the travellers who broke public health and transport rules on a privately chartered flight from Montréal to Cancun, Mexico earlier this week. 27 of the 130 travellers on the flight have returned to Canada. They were intercepted, interrogated, and tested at the Canadian border. Authorities verified compliance with public health requirements, including information entered in the ArriveCAN system. Contravention fines were issued for some of the travellers and processed through the Government of Quebec. This may result in further prosecution.
Changes in the Senior Ranks of the Public Service:
Yesterday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes in senior positions within the Public Service.?A number of senior officials will hold new roles in the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Graham Flack will become Secretary of the Treasury Board after serving as Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development. Jean-Fran?ois Tremblay will serve as Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development, moving from his current position as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources.
Paul Thompson, who currently serves as Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, will become Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement. Bill Matthews, current Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement, will commence a new role as Deputy Minister of National Defence.
Jacqueline Bogden will serve as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Emergency Preparedness and COVID Recovery, Privy Council Office. Bogden is currently Assistant Deputy Minister, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, Health Canada. Thao Pham, who currently serves as Deputy Minister, COVID Recovery, Privy Council Office, is set to retire from the Public Service.
COVID-19 Data Trends:
In the past twenty-four hours, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reported 43,148 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 60 deaths in Canada, bringing the cumulative total of cases to 2,437,822 and a total of 30,384 deaths. There are currently 376,670 active COVID-19 cases in Canada.
COVID-19 Vaccination Statistics:
PHAC had not updated the COVID-19 vaccination statistics in time for the release of this briefing.??
?Ontario
Today, Ontario announced targeted relief for businesses and people impacted by current public health measures. Shortly after the release, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli issued a statement.
The government will introduce the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, providing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses that are subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. Ontario will also provide additional electricity-rate relief for businesses, workers, and families. In addition, online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18.
Yesterday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore provided on update on COVID-19 in the province. Dr. Moore began his update by apologizing for the “necessary sacrifices” and Omicron-related restrictions. He added that the measures should help diminish the burden on the healthcare system and will allow the roll out of booster doses.
With regards to rapid antigen testing, Dr. Moore noted that tests are “limited at present.” Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are currently being allocated for highest risk settings and certain vulnerable populations, including for “test-to-work purposes” in highest risk workplaces such as hospitals and long-term care homes. Dr. Moore stated that given the high prevalence of COVID-19, “testing is a luxury”. If a member of the general public has symptoms, is not eligible for PCR testing and has no access to RATs, they should assume that they have COVID-19 and should self-isolate for the required period.
During the question and answer period, Dr. Moore noted that the number of occupants in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)?is up, but occupants are experiencing a shorter stay. In early December, the average stay was 13 days, compared to the current stay of six days.
When asked for details on the child under ten who died from COVID-19 in Wellington County, Dr. Moore?“was not aware”, but said he was so sorry and that his “heart goes out” to the child’s friends and family.
Dr. Moore was also asked whether children born in 2017 would be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Dr. Moore stated that the subject is under debate by the Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee. No conclusion has been made.
Also yesterday, the province announced that COVID-19 booster doses will be accelerated for education and child care staff. A statement issued by Minister of Education Stephen Lecce stated that the provincial mass vaccination clinic at the International Centre in Mississauga will support priority bookings for education staff, including educators, custodial staff, administrative staff, school bus drivers, and child care staff effective January 7. For individuals living outside the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the government is working with public health units to plan and provide prioritized access. No timeline was mentioned, but the statement said that local health units will provide further information.
Minister Lecce added that the following measures have been put in place in schools: providing optional non-fit-tested N95 masks to all staff that are expected to arrive end of this week; updated and stricter screening requirements; ventilation improvements, and; access to $1.6 billion in resources to protect against COVID-19 for school boards. In addition, licensed child care settings will receive optional N95 masks starting January 10 and updated screening measures.
In addition, starting January 10, free emergency child care will be available to certain eligible workers, including health care workers, in-person education staff, child care workers, truck and transit workers, construction workers, grocery and pharmacy workers, public safety workers, and certain public employees. Local service system managers should be contacted to confirm eligibility.?
Lastly, Minister of Long-Term Care Rod Phillips said that COVID-19 outbreaks are affecting long-term care (LTC) homes in almost all public health units. During the question and answer period of a virtual announcement, Minister Phillips said there are LTC staff “absenteeism rates in the neighbourhood of 20 to 30 per cent” in areas with significant outbreak.
The province reported 11,899 new cases today. There are 2,472 Ontarians being treated for COVID-19 in general hospital wards, with 338 individuals in the ICU, of which 177 patients are on a ventilator.
To date, 28,140,051 doses have been administered in Ontario. Currently, 91% of the population aged 12 or older has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 88.3% have received both vaccine doses. In terms of the total eligible population aged 5 or older, 87.5% have received one dose and 81.7% have received both doses.
Quebec
Yesterday Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé held a press conference to provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in the province. The Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Lucie Opatrny, and the Director General of Executive and Operational Manager of the Pandemic, Daniel Paré, joined him.
Minister Dubé announced that the epidemiological situation is dire. The “Institut national de la santé publique du Québec” ("INSPQ") expects a large increase in hospitalizations in the coming days. Specifically, the INSPQ expects 3,000 hospitalizations and 400 people in intensive care by mid-January.
The Minister also indicated that the number of cases is currently underestimated due to self-tests that were distributed. This distinction will be even more important following yesterday’s press briefing since only prioritized individuals will be eligible for PCR testing. Instead, the government will rely on the positivity rate, which is currently at a very high level (30).
Minister Dubé announced that a self-reporting platform for positive tests will be put in place and will give the government a better indicator of positive cases. This platform will be ready sometime next week. An announcement will follow shortly.
Beginning on January 18, 2022, the vaccination passport will be mandatory for access to liquor and cannabis stores in the province -?Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) and Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC). Customers will be required to present their vaccination passport when entering these establishments. Minister Dubé announced that the government will be adding non-essential services to the list of locations where the vaccination passport will be required. However, the vaccine passport will not be required to enter grocery stores or pharmacies, as they are considered essential.
The government will also expand the vaccine passport to three doses in the coming months. Minister Dubé said that this will not happen until all Quebecers have the chance to receive their third dose of the vaccine.
A press release (French only) was issued shortly after the conference.
Another press release (French only) was published to announce that educators and support staff will be included in the list of those eligible for clinic-based COVID-19 PCR testing.
Santé Québec reported 16,176 new cases of COVID-19 and 27 more virus-related deaths. Hospitalizations increased by 180 bringing the total number of people being treated in hospital with the virus to 2,133. 22 more patients were admitted to the intensive care unit bringing the total to 229 people in intensive care compared to the previous day.
A cumulative total of 15,756,550 vaccine doses were administered to Quebecers. Santé Québec had not updated the COVID-19 dashboard on vaccination rates by first, second and third doses for the eligible population aged 12 years and older by the time we were ready to release this briefing.??
Alberta
In a bulletin released yesterday, the government of Alberta announced that more than one million Albertans have now received a COVID-19 booster dose. An additional two million Albertans are currently eligible to receive their booster doses. Jason Copping, Alberta’s Minister of Health stated, “one million Albertans have made the effort to help protect themselves and our hospitals. I want to thank everyone who’s gotten all three doses as well as the dedicated health-care providers who continue working hard to administer the vaccine. Working together, we will protect our health-care system and all Albertans.”
The Government of Alberta also released a bulletin providing details about the return to school for students in kindergarten to grade 12 on January 10th. Health officials indicated that schools will be supplied with rapid tests and medical grade masks which will be distributed to students and staff. Commenting on the plan, Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education stated, “I have heard overwhelmingly from families that learning in person is best for their kids who feel more connected, learn better and thrive while attending school in person. Experts agree and continue to stress the importance of in-person learning to the overall health of children and youth. That is why Alberta’s government has placed such a high priority on safe in-class instruction and making sure schools have the tools they need to continue providing a world-class education to Alberta students. I’d like to thank everyone in Alberta’s school system who is continuing to prepare for the safe return of students to classrooms and will be well-positioned to help them catch up.”
The bulletin announced that students in grades 4 to 9 will have access to a new online learning resource, called the e-Tutoring Hub, designed to students catch up on missed instruction due to COVID-19 disruptions. The e-Tutoring Hub will contain pre-recorded videos and is designed to help students learn materials that were covered in grades 1 to 3.
Alberta Health Services provided an update on COVID-19 statistics in the province. There are 39,196 active COVID-19 cases. The provincial positivity rate is 34.54%. Currently, 498 individuals are being treated for COVID-19 in hospital, 64 of whom are in intensive care. To date, 7,794,080 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the province. This means that 89.5% of eligible people 12 years and older have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 85.5% have received their second dose, and 28.2 % have received their third dose.
British Columbia
Dr. Bonnie, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued a joint statement indicating that there have been reports of health workers at COVID-19 testing sites being harassed and intimidated by members of the public trying to obtain COVID-19 tests. Due to the ongoing Omicron COVID-19 wave, COVID-19 testing sites have been overwhelmed by members of the public seeking tests. The statement reminds the public that the British Columbia government recently brought into force the Access to Services Act, which makes it illegal to disrupt the work of health officials, the bulletin states “Incidents of threats and aggressive behaviour will be reported to police. Our health-care workers need a safe and respectful workplace, free of abuse and threats of violence, so they can continue their work to keep us safe.”
The bulletin also provides a reminder to not attempt to obtain a COVID-19 test at the public testing sites if you do not have symptoms.?“If you do not have any symptoms, you do not need to be tested. Please do not attempt to access testing services. This will allow health-care workers to prioritize care to those who need it. As a reminder, if you are feeling unwell at all, even if you think it isn't COVID-19, even if you think it is just a mild cold or flu, you need to stay away from others until you feel better.”
British Columbia’s Health Services provided updates on COVID-19 statistics in the province. The most recent data shows that there were 3,223 new cases and 3 new COVID-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours. 324 individuals are in hospital and 90 individuals are in intensive care. There are 31,817 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
To date, a cumulative 9,552,369 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the province, 4,139,941of which are second doses. 92.1% of eligible people 12 years and older have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 89.3% have received their second dose, and 24.1% have received their third dose.
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