Get ready, because a seventh wave of COVID-19 will hit Canada after Labour Day, says Dr. Theresa Tam, the country's chief public health officer..“We cannot predict exactly how big the next wave is, but I think we need to prepare,” Tam testified at the Commons health committee..“We need to prepare for the fall and winter season.”.“Can you tell us what the Public Health Agency’s assessment of the chances of a seventh wave of COVID are in the fall?” asked New Democrat MP Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway)..“I think the pandemic is not over,” replied Tam..“Given the continuous evolution of the coronavirus we think it is very likely we will get some more viral activity in the future.”.“What is the current thinking of what the next virus will look like?” asked Davies..“It’s very important that we continue to monitor the genomic sequencing which is being done right now,” replied Tam. “The Omicron virus continues to undergo evolution.”.“What is the current thinking in terms of whether there is a significant difference in the ability to transmit COVID-19 between a vaccinated and unvaccinated person in Canada?” asked MP Davies..“Omicron is a game changer,” replied Tam..“When Omicron came along two doses really waned over time in terms of protection. It really declined over time to 20% or less after six months in terms of protection.”.Blacklock's Reporter says the Public Health Agency (PHA) to date has not redefined “full vaccination” to include a minimum three shots for the general public..A federal panel on April 12 said current vaccines offered little to no protection after 180 days..“Protection is minimal by six months since the second dose in adults,” the National Advisory Committee on Immunization wrote in a report..Protection for adults was “approximately 10% to 20% higher following a third dose,” wrote researchers..Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville, Ont.) urged the PHA to explain what milestones must be achieved before remaining pandemic restrictions are lifted..“Provide what the goal posts are so Canadians know when we’ve got the touchdown,” said Barrett..“Are you able to provide us the metrics that are being used to sustain or allow those restrictions to expire?” asked MP Barrett..“We have metrics,” replied Harpreet Kochhar, president of the PHA..“Are you saying there is no number in hospital capacity?” asked MP Barrett. “There is no number in wastewater surveillance? There is no number in community transmission? There is no number in vaccination uptake? There is no number in terms of community spread in other countries, that once those numbers are hit it would be safe for vaccine and mask mandates to be lifted?”.“All these variables are taken into consideration,” replied Kochhar..“We understand that sir, but what are the numbers?” asked MP Barrett..“There aren’t any specific numbers,” replied Kochhar.
Get ready, because a seventh wave of COVID-19 will hit Canada after Labour Day, says Dr. Theresa Tam, the country's chief public health officer..“We cannot predict exactly how big the next wave is, but I think we need to prepare,” Tam testified at the Commons health committee..“We need to prepare for the fall and winter season.”.“Can you tell us what the Public Health Agency’s assessment of the chances of a seventh wave of COVID are in the fall?” asked New Democrat MP Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway)..“I think the pandemic is not over,” replied Tam..“Given the continuous evolution of the coronavirus we think it is very likely we will get some more viral activity in the future.”.“What is the current thinking of what the next virus will look like?” asked Davies..“It’s very important that we continue to monitor the genomic sequencing which is being done right now,” replied Tam. “The Omicron virus continues to undergo evolution.”.“What is the current thinking in terms of whether there is a significant difference in the ability to transmit COVID-19 between a vaccinated and unvaccinated person in Canada?” asked MP Davies..“Omicron is a game changer,” replied Tam..“When Omicron came along two doses really waned over time in terms of protection. It really declined over time to 20% or less after six months in terms of protection.”.Blacklock's Reporter says the Public Health Agency (PHA) to date has not redefined “full vaccination” to include a minimum three shots for the general public..A federal panel on April 12 said current vaccines offered little to no protection after 180 days..“Protection is minimal by six months since the second dose in adults,” the National Advisory Committee on Immunization wrote in a report..Protection for adults was “approximately 10% to 20% higher following a third dose,” wrote researchers..Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville, Ont.) urged the PHA to explain what milestones must be achieved before remaining pandemic restrictions are lifted..“Provide what the goal posts are so Canadians know when we’ve got the touchdown,” said Barrett..“Are you able to provide us the metrics that are being used to sustain or allow those restrictions to expire?” asked MP Barrett..“We have metrics,” replied Harpreet Kochhar, president of the PHA..“Are you saying there is no number in hospital capacity?” asked MP Barrett. “There is no number in wastewater surveillance? There is no number in community transmission? There is no number in vaccination uptake? There is no number in terms of community spread in other countries, that once those numbers are hit it would be safe for vaccine and mask mandates to be lifted?”.“All these variables are taken into consideration,” replied Kochhar..“We understand that sir, but what are the numbers?” asked MP Barrett..“There aren’t any specific numbers,” replied Kochhar.
