COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Canada remain stable but higher than in past summers

COVID-19 Hospitalizations, deaths and confirmed cases across Canada are relatively stable after an early summer wave, but much higher than in previous years. data show that .

As of Wednesday, Canada had an average of 3,475 laboratory-confirmed cases and 44 new cases per day, according to provincial and territory data compiled by Global News. death is seen. Currently, her 5,158 people are hospitalized with her COVID-19, including her 305 patients in intensive care units.

These figures are down slightly from the brief wave of infections in June and July, but remain much higher than the infection rates seen in the summer of 2020 and 2021. .

Over the past few years, an average of about 350 patients were admitted to the hospital each day during the summer. Despite an increase in hospitalizations from August 2021 to September of that year, it peaked at the current half.

Current mortality rates are also significantly lower than past summers when the average number of deaths per day was in the single digits. surpassed.

Previous evidence pointed to the summer months as a predictable lull in the pandemic as people spend more time in outdoor spaces where the virus is less transmitted.

However, a more virulent variant of Omicron turned that idea on its head, and further mutations, including the current BA.5 variant and its predecessor BA.2, have resulted in more infections this year than in the past. A wave of infection has arrived.

READ MORE: "15,000 deaths per week? Unthinkable': WHO warns rising death toll from COVID

World Health Organization BA.5 predominance warned Wednesday that there has been a 35% increase in reported COVID-10-related deaths worldwide in the past four weeks.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 15,000 people worldwide died from COVID-19 in the last week alone.

"There is a lot of discussion about learning to live with this virus, but we cannot live with 15,000 deaths a week. I can't go," he said at a press conference.

“We cannot live with unfair access to vaccines and other tools. It does mean that we use the tools we have to protect ourselves and protect others."

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tam said: said like this. The country is in the transitional phase of a pandemic that is likely to lead to further waves this year, warning in June that COVID-19 "hasn't left the stage."

Public health officials are shifting their focus to a potentially severe wave in the fall and winter. Plans are underway to provide vaccines to all adults who request a booster vaccine, while ensuring that vulnerable populations receive it.

Experts say boosters are important. Current vaccines do not adequately protect against Omicron and its subspecies, allowing "breakthrough cases" and even reinfection among vaccinated people.

"But there is evidence that if you've been vaccinated, you probably won't go to the hospital," said Dr. Horacio Bach, an infectious disease researcher and assistant professor at the University. . British Columbia.

"People [with COVID-19] will say, 'It's like the flu, it's okay, I'm going to stay home.' It's the result of the vaccine."

Canadian public The Department of Health found that between June 6 and July 3 of this year, unvaccinated patients were 3 more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to vaccinated patients. twice as likely to die from COVID-19 and four times more likely to die from COVID-19.

Tedros gets boosters for everyone with access to booster doses and makes it impossible to keep a distance. urged to keep wearing a mask if possible.

As of Monday, 86.1% of the Canadian population had received at least one dose of his approved COVID-19 vaccine, and 82.4% had received at least two doses. However, just under half (49.7%) received at least one more booster.

Despite relatively stable hospitalizations nationwide, there are signs that more patients are being hospitalized with symptoms.

According to the latest information, hospitalizations are increasing in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Most provinces other than Quebec have transitioned to reporting data weekly, while Saskatchewan plans to release its first monthly report on Thursday.

To date, states and territories have confirmed more than 4,125,000 cases of her COVID-19, including 43,471 deaths.

— Using files by Rachel Gilmore

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