The country now has reported 352,778 cases and 11,799 deaths total.

The funding will go toward food support, personal protective equipment and other essential needs during the territory-wide lockdown imposed last week.

Experts say overcrowded housing, food insecurity, a high unemployment rate and low educational attainment levels are all contributing factors to the quick spread of cases.

Over 252,000 patients have since recovered from the virus however, while another 13.2 million tests have been administered.

The previous record was 4,602 cases on November 8. The country now has 282,296 cases total.

As the COVID-19 pandemic pushes hospitals to the limits in many parts of the country, nearly 90 per cent of Canadians feel there is a need to increase health-care facilities.

A further 203,509 patients have since recovered from the virus while over 11.9 million tests have been administered.

Forty-two new deaths were also reported Thursday, bringing the national death toll to 10,074.

Dr. Theresa Tam said the virus had "shone a real spotlight on equalities in health and systemic gaps resulting in inequities," and called for structural reforms to the country's pandemic response.

Backdated data reported Monday show Sunday's true total of new cases nationwide was 3,004, a new record for the country.