Could a third wave have been prevented in Canada?

Experts and officials have been warning of a third wave for weeks. With rising COVID-19 and variant numbers, is this something that could have been prevented? @city_cara with more.

CALGARY (CityNews) – British Columbia is in a circuit breaker lockdown, Ontario is topping 2,000 cases a day and there have been over 9,000 variant cases reported across the country.

“Most concerning is the continued increase in the number and proportion of variants of concern that spread more easily and increase the risk of severe illness outcomes,” said Dr. Theresa Tam during a recent COVID-19 update.

Experts have been warning about a third wave for weeks, even months. So how did we end up here?

“We have opened up a little bit from where we were in January,” said Dr. Daniel Gregson with the University of Calgary.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister warned that the spread of the variants mean we can’t take our foot off the gas especially as we approach a holiday weekend.

“What’s different is that even if the end of the pandemic is in sight, the variants mean the situation is even more serious.”

WATCH: Following BC, should Alberta consider a circuit breaker?

 

With the news that the AstraZeneca vaccine has been temporarily suspended across the country, has Canada mismanaged COVID-19?

Some experts say yes, along with many other countries.

“Almost nobody managed it well,” said Gosia Gasperowicz, developmental biologist at the University of Calgary. “In Europe, it’s crazy, it’s burning wild.”

But it’s not too late to change the trajectory the country is on and according to some, strict lockdowns similar to New Zealand in the first wave is the way to go.

“We should do a strong lockdown, financially supported, so people can survive it. As strong as possible.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today