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Last week, Canada’s top doctor warned the country was in for several “intense” weeks of COVID-19 activity, with modelling showing the Omicron wave could peak this month with 170,000 cases and 2,000 new hospital admissions daily.
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“While Canada could see a sharp peak and decline in cases in the coming weeks, given disease activity far exceeding previous peaks, even the downside of this curve will be considerable,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer.
“With several weeks of very intense activity expected to come, we need to do our best now to limit the size and impact of the Omicron surge in order to maintain the health system and critical functions of society.”
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Canada’s expected COVID-19 peak is similar to what some other countries are experiencing, but no country is in the clear yet, the World Health Organization warned on Tuesday.
“For many countries, the next few weeks remain really critical for health workers and health systems,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO.
“I urge everyone to do their best to reduce risk of infection so that you can help take pressure off the system.”
Earlier this week, Canada authorized Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 treatment for use in the fight against the pandemic.
A milestone moment, Paxlovid received Health Canada approval and is now the first oral COVID-19 treatment that can be taken by Canadians at home.
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Health Canada approves Paxlovid, Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill
Paxlovid can be given to adults 18 and older who are positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild or moderate illness, and who are at high risk of becoming more seriously ill, Health Canada said.
The treatment, which has to be prescribed, involves taking three pills of two different drugs, twice a day, for five days. It should be started after a positive COVID-19 test and within five days from the onset of symptoms.
Canada has an agreement with Pfizer for one million courses of Paxlovid, with an option to buy 500,000 more. So far, the country has received 30,400 treatment courses, with 120,000 more expected to be delivered between January and March.
Federal officials are working to firm up a delivery schedule, and provinces and territories will manage distribution, officials said Monday.
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Until more Paxlovid pills make it into Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada has offered suggestions about how to best use or triage the current supply.
It currently recommends prioritizing severely immune-compromised patients, people over 80 who don’t have all their vaccines, and people over 60 living in remote and rural locations, long-term care homes and First Nations.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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