Canada’s chief public health officer says the pandemic is exposing the fragility of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Theresa Tam says if we are to end increased disease and death rates in vulnerable populations, we need to make things right now.
“So when I think about where we are right now, with outbreaks, and vulnerable settings and underserved populations driving the epidemiology of COVID-19, I am reminded of the critical importance of addressing inequities,” she said.
Tam said we need to look beyond the health system and expand to include the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our society.
“This pandemic has exposed the fragility of some of our populations especially those living in long term care homes, group housing, those experiencing homelessness, or vulnerable indigenous communities.”
Tam said we need to adapt our daily lives to include physical distancing, handwashing, and other control measures so we are managing COVID-19 and it’s not managing us.
“This is not just someone else’s problem or someone else’s sorrow, inequities touch us all. They affect the health and social wellbeing of all Canadians just as they diminish our humanity.”
Tam said we need to build protective supports into our social fabric to provide long term protection against future waves of COVID-19 and future pandemics of emerging disease.
Tam reported 47,327 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,617 deaths.
She said labs across Canada have tested over 717,000 people and 7 per cent of those tested were positive for COVID-19.
Tam said we will all get through this by being stronger together.
