1/4 Co-circulation of #COVID19, #influenza & #RSV viruses is causing significant strain on health care systems. Very young & elderly people and those with pre-existing medical conditions, continue to be at highest risk for serious illness.

canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/4 Most worrisome is an increase in influenza-related hospitalisations. Also, sentinel paediatric hospital data suggest a shift to a ↑ proportion of hospitalized cases in 10-16 year-olds, compared to seasons prior to the #COVID19 pandemic.

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1/4 Today, as co-chairs of the Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of #OpioidOverdoses, Dr. Yves Léger and I are releasing the latest national data on the #OverdoseCrisis.
canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/4 These latest data show the tragic and continued increase in average daily deaths and hospitalisations due to opioid-related overdoses in Canada in 2021, compared to earlier years.

(1/5) Today, Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health are reinforcing the importance of staying up to date with vaccines to maintain protection against COVID-19 and other vaccine preventable diseases
canada.ca/en/public-heal… (2/5) We are also celebrating the collaboration and efforts of jurisdictions, Indigenous partners, healthcare workers, individuals and communities. Our continued collective efforts will be integral to our emergence from this pandemic.

1/5 Today, the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) announced seroprevalence results from 21 studies funded by the Government of Canada, estimating the level of infection during the Omicron wave up to the end of May 2022. covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/the-omicron-ts… 2/5 Antibodies to certain blood proteins known as “nucleocapsids” only develop in those who’ve been infected. So detecting their presence in blood (seroprevalence) is a way to estimate the proportion of people with past #SARSCoV2 infection.

1/5 The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware that @SickKidsNews has reported cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children to @ONTHealth. This is a relatively rare condition that does occur in Canada. In many cases, an underlying cause cannot be found. 2/5 Information on these and other cases is being further reviewed by health authorities. Those that meet the case definition will be reported to @GovCanHealth to be included in the national investigation.

1/5 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : as public health measures have eased and we resume more activities and connections, other serious infectious diseases, such as influenza and measles, are making a comeback. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/5 #COVID19 is still circulating across the country and Canada is reporting increased #influenza activity in recent weeks, late in the 2021-22 season. This includes the first outbreaks and a sharp rise in influenza detections, mostly in ages <45 years.
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1/4 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : after weeks of increasing transmission, hospitalisation rates are rising in many jurisdictions and across most age groups. Rates of hospital/ICU admission/death remain highest in older adults, aged ≥60 years.
health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epide… 2/4 With #COVID19 still spreading widely in Canada, it’s not too late and very important to get the best possible protection against severe illness by keeping #COVID19Vaccines up-to-date, including #COVID19Booster dose(s) as recommended. canada.ca/en/public-heal…

1/7 Today #PHAC released an Update on #COVID19 in Canada: Epidemiology & Preparedness, which underscores the need for ongoing work to prepare for futures challenges as the #SARSCOV2 virus continues to circulate and evolve. canada.ca/content/dam/ph… 2/7 Although Canada’s overall high vaccination coverage and a range of surveillance, public health measures, treatments & other tools can better protect us going forward, we must still prepare for possible resurgence this spring and fall.

1/4 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : not unexpectedly, ⬆️ in-person activities following easing of public health measures, together with spread of the more transmissible BA.2 variant and some waning of immunity, may be contributing to ⬆️ transmission. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/4 Average daily cases have increased by 28% vs. last week, indicating resurgence is underway nationally (Mar 25-31, 2022); also 7-day lab test positivity (Mar 23-29) ⬆️ to 16% and wastewater signals are ⬆️ in many localities.

1/5 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦: while we’ve passed peak #omicron, measures are still needed to relieve the pressure on our hospitals. In particular, closing vaccine coverage gaps and maintaining core personal protective practices. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/5 In particular, millions of eligible Canadians could reduce their risk of ending up in hospital with severe COVID-19 disease by getting up-to-date with #COVID19Vaccines/mRNA #Booster as eligible/ recommended.

1/4 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : as we continue to take measures to mitigate the ongoing impact of COVID-19, health authorities are closely monitoring epidemiologic indicators to guide the easing of public health restrictions. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/4 Nevertheless, we must maintain a state of readiness as we can expect #SARSCoV2 to be with us over the long term, with potential for sudden emergence of new variants, and uncertain transmission and severity characteristics. canada.ca/en/public-heal…

1/5 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦: multiple disease indicators show Canada is past the peak of the Omicron wave; however, the unprecedented size of this surge means high infection levels persist and the virus is still widespread in Canada. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/5 While we continue to take measures to mitigate the impact of #COVID19 on the health system and vulnerable populations, health authorities across Canada are looking ahead to longer-term sustainable management of the #SARSCoV2 virus. canada.ca/en/public-heal…

1/4 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : guided by evidence, jurisdictions are easing restrictions. This next phase is good news, but as with all change, uncertainties can make us feel uneasy. It’s okay to proceed at your own pace, with #VaccinesPlus. 2/4 What won’t change is our ability to use tools and supports to assess risks for ourselves/our family that allow us to make informed decisions and take measures to reduce the risks when, where and how works best for us. #AtYourOwnPace ➡️canada.ca/en/public-heal…

1/4 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦: in good news, today is the first day all jurisdictions are reporting a decline in their latest 7-day average case counts. Infection rates are still elevated/activity still widespread, but trending in the right direction!
health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epide… 2/4 Protecting this progress and ↓ severe illness trends across the country, is helped by more people getting up-to-date with #COVID19Vaccines and by all of us maintaining precautions like wearing masks & avoiding crowding. #VaccinesPlus

1/5 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦: this may feel like a double marathon we didn’t sign up for, but we can draw strength knowing the ground we’ve covered so far to stay on track and work together to get where we need to go. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/5 As public health continues vaccination efforts & closely monitors local epidemiology for signs of peaking activity in the weeks ahead, we can all help by staying the course to get through this difficult time sooner. #VaccinesPlus➡️ canada.ca/en/public-heal…

1/7 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦: Nationally, the average daily case count has increased by more than 50% compared to the previous 7-day average, with >42,000 cases being reported daily over the past 7 days (data up to Jan 6th). health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epide… 2/7 High infection rates that are challenging testing capacity in much of the country lead to an underestimation of the true case numbers, but we continue to test & sequence at very high levels to track the spread and monitor variant predominance. canada.ca/en/public-heal…

1/4 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : we’ve got the winter blues across the country, but this too shall pass! Let’s lighten the blues sooner with layers of protection for you and yours. #FullyVaccinated #BoosterDose #VaccinesPlus
➡️health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epide… 2/4 Winterizing your #covidwise includes choosing a mask that is well-constructed and can be adjusted to fit your face snugly to filter potentially contaminated air in/out of your mask. 🚫 #MaskGaps

1/7 #COVID19 key concerns 🇨🇦 : COVID-19 cases have rapidly accelerated, with #Omicron now predominating and widespread across much of the country. The latest 7-day average of 40,696 cases/day is a 78% increase over last week.
➡️health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epide… 2/7 Though very high activity levels that challenge testing capacity may underestimate true case numbers, other indicators remain useful to monitor trends in overall disease activity (e.g. test positivity) & severity (hospitalizations etc.)

1/5 Layering #COVID19 protections is best! Evidence on aerosol spread of the #SARSCoV2 virus shows that expelled virus particles can spread over distances and linger in fine aerosols for periods of time, much like second-hand smoke. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/5 Likewise, those in close proximity to the infected person can inhale more aerosols. This is why opening a window can help reduce the risk and why wearing a well-fitted and well-constructed mask is so important. #GoodVentilation #MaskFit

1/4 Since the outset of the pandemic, we’ve learned a lot about the #SARSCoV2 virus that causes #COVID19. Importantly, we’ve learned how the virus can linger in fine aerosols and remain suspended in the air we breathe. canada.ca/en/public-heal… 2/4 Much like expelled smoke lingers in poorly ventilated spaces, #SARSCoV2 virus can remain suspended in the air, with those in close proximity to the infected person inhaling more aerosols, especially in indoor and poorly ventilated spaces.

1/4 Q: I’m planning a pregnancy, should I get the #COVID19 vaccine? Read this thread for the answer⬇️ 2/4 Yes! It’s recommended that you get vaccinated with a mRNA #COVID19Vaccine if you’re planning a pregnancy. Millions of mRNA vaccinations have been administered in Canada and around the world.