Advertisement

COVID-19 severe illness trends still rising in most of Canada: Tam

Click to play video: 'Deeper perspective into latest COVID-19 deaths and ICU numbers'
Deeper perspective into latest COVID-19 deaths and ICU numbers
WATCH: Deeper perspective into latest COVID-19 deaths and ICU numbers – Jan 26, 2022

Canada’s top doctor says even though the average daily COVID-19 case count across the country is down 30 per cent compared to last week, it’s not an accurate reflection of the state of the pandemic.

Dr. Theresa Tam says targeted testing policies and reduced testing continue to underestimate the number of true infections, noting severe illness trends are still rising in most jurisdictions and hospitalization rates are increasing across all age groups.

Quebec announced it will begin tracking COVID-19 rapid test results through an online portal, although experts question its usefulness and the accuracy of such data.

Story continues below advertisement

Health Minister Christian Dube says the government-run platform will help Quebec better track COVID-19 transmission in the community, given that publicly run PCR testing is reserved for people in high-risk groups.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

COVID cases fuelled by the highly-transmissible Omicron variant continue to strain hospitals, with New Brunswick’s health minister saying most emergency room patients could be treated outside hospitals.

Alberta recorded its second-highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations with 1,418, one day after an overall record of 1,443.

Click to play video: 'New poll shows changing attitudes about the pandemic'
New poll shows changing attitudes about the pandemic

Sponsored content

AdChoices