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Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-could-be-start-of-4th-wave-1.6123894
Canada could be seeing the start of a variant-driven 4th wave, chief health officer warns
Seriousness of resurgence will depend on vaccination rates, Tam says
Darren Major · CBC News · Posted: Jul 30, 2021 11:31 AM ET | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
Canada's top health officials are warning that Canada could be seeing the beginning of a fourth COVID-19 wave driven by the more infectious delta variant.
The seriousness of the pandemic's resurgence will depend largely on vaccination coverage — especially as provinces move forward with reopening plans — Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said today.
"I think we are in a slightly precarious period at the moment, in between these people trying to get the vaccines in and reopening," Tam said.
"As soon as that balance is tipped, and it wouldn't take very much with a highly transmissible virus, you're going to see an uptick in cases."
Health officials are looking at the 18 to 39 age demographic as the key to addressing a possible fourth wave.
Roughly 70 per cent of that age group has received a vaccine shot, but Tam said that number needs to rise to 80 per cent in order to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
"This could significantly reduce the size and impact of the resurgence," she said...
Canada could be seeing the start of a variant-driven 4th wave, chief health officer warns
Seriousness of resurgence will depend on vaccination rates, Tam says
Darren Major · CBC News · Posted: Jul 30, 2021 11:31 AM ET | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
Canada's top health officials are warning that Canada could be seeing the beginning of a fourth COVID-19 wave driven by the more infectious delta variant.
The seriousness of the pandemic's resurgence will depend largely on vaccination coverage — especially as provinces move forward with reopening plans — Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said today.
"I think we are in a slightly precarious period at the moment, in between these people trying to get the vaccines in and reopening," Tam said.
"As soon as that balance is tipped, and it wouldn't take very much with a highly transmissible virus, you're going to see an uptick in cases."
Health officials are looking at the 18 to 39 age demographic as the key to addressing a possible fourth wave.
Roughly 70 per cent of that age group has received a vaccine shot, but Tam said that number needs to rise to 80 per cent in order to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
"This could significantly reduce the size and impact of the resurgence," she said...