Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam gives an update on COVID-19, July 24, 2020. (CPAC)
Cases of the coronavirus are trending upward again in Canada.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says this week, an average of almost 500 people were diagnosed each day, up from less than 300 earlier this month.
“Although we know we can’t eliminate all cases and clusters of COVID-19, we need to keep on top of things to prevent re-acceleration of growth,” she explains.
Tam says to get that number down, we still have to be mindful and not take unnecessary risks even as the country continues to open up.
Federal health officials add that most of the new cases over the past two weeks were young people in their 20s and 30s.
Health officials are also looking out for any spikes in COVID-19 cases linked to bars and restaurants.
Tam explains local health officials are ready to take action if opening bars leads to outbreaks.
“I absolutely guarantee that they’re totally focused on exactly what’s happening there, and [will] see how they can retool the public health guidance or compliance or other measures,” she notes.
