The peak of the 5th wave crossed in Canada, estimates public health | Coronavirus

In a press briefing on Friday, accompanied by the federal Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, and his colleague Howard Njoo, deputy chief administrator of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Dr. Tam explained that the number of reported cases remained at record highs.

She also noted that he is still an underestimate of the true number of infections, adding that multiple indicators suggest infections have peaked nationwide, including daily case counts, test positivity, true reproductive rates (TRs), trends and sewage monitoring.

According to data from January 26, the seven-day average number of daily cases, which is currently over 19,000, has fallen by 28% compared to the previous week and the incidence is decreasing in all age groups, notes the Public Health Agency.

The seven-day average positivity rate for laboratory tests, which is still very high at 19%, nevertheless continues to decline in Canada, showing a decline of 14% compared to the data of the previous week.

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Hospitalizations and deaths still very high

But the game is still far from won, warned Dr. Tam, in particular because of hospitalizations and deaths which remain very high throughout the country.

Which makes him say that even if the curve of cases goes down, the virus can still reserve many surprises for Canadians, especially in hospitals which are overloaded.

According to compiled provincial data, on January 27, there were 10,570 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Canada, down 397 from data the day before which showed a pandemic record of 10,967 hospitalizations in the country.

Also on January 27, there were 1,190 patients being treated in intensive care units across the country, down 20 from the previous day.

Data that is still very high, public health leaders point out, and that can still increase, even if the number of daily cases is down, they warn.

Green light from National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationCCNI for double vaccination of children

NACI strongly recommends that children 5 to 11 years old receive two doses of Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine to cope with Omicron.

Photo : Archyde.com / Jonathan Cherry

On the vaccine front, which still remains the most effective weapon to combat COVID-19, points out Dr. Howard Njoo, the National Advisory Committee of Canada (NACI) updated its recommendations on the use of messenger RNA vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old and those for adolescents 12 to 17 years old today.

According to National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationCCNI, although children and adolescents are at low risk of serious consequences compared to older people, the significantly higher rates of infection with the Omicron variant have led to an increase in the number of hospitalizations in this group of patients. age.

Therefore, the National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationCCNI now strongly recommends that children 5 to 11 years old receive a full series of two 10-microgram doses of Pfizer’s messenger RNA pediatric vaccine with a period of at least eight weeks between the first and second dose. It also recommends a third dose for children in this age group with moderate or severe immunodeficiency.

For teenagers aged 12 to 17, the National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationCCNI also strongly recommends a full series of messenger RNA vaccines, including a third dose for the immunocompromised.

CCNI recommends a booster dose of at least sixmonths after receiving the second dose”,”text”:”For adolescents who are more likely to develop more severe consequences due to increased biological or social risks, NACI recommends a booster dose at least six months after receiving the second dose”}}”>For adolescents who are more likely to develop more serious consequences due to increased biological or social risks, the National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationCCNI recommends a booster dose at least six months after receiving the second dose, explained Dr. Howard Njoo.

Remember that only 53% of Canadian children aged 5 to 11 received their first dose, while 82% of those aged 12 and over received their two doses and 48% their third dose.

The BA.2 sub-variant closely watched

With regard to the proliferation of new BA.2 subvariant reported in Canada, a hundred cases of this new version of Omicron have already been identified in the country by the national microbiology laboratory and associated laboratories, confirmed Dr. Theresa Tam.

2021. We are one of the first countries to have detected it”,”text”:”We know that we have detected it since November 2021. We are one of the first countries to have detected it”}}”>We know we have detected it since November 2021. We are one of the first countries to have detected it, stressed Dr. Tam, adding, however, that scientists still need to learn more about the impact of this subvariant.

International data suggests that it may have easier proliferation, but it does not appear to cause an increase in hospitalizations or symptom severity compared to BA.1. But we are monitoring the situation very closely., added the chief public health officer.

For its part, the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) confirmed on Thursday that the subvariant of Omicron BA.2 had been detected by sequencing in five travelers who have passed through Montreal so far.