6.68°C Vancouver

Apr 9, 2020 3:42 PM -

Control measures critical to keeping Canadian COVID-19 deaths under 22,000, health agency says

Share On
control-measures-critical-to-keeping-canadian-covid-19-deaths-under-22-000-health-agency-says
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam arrives for a press conference on COVID-19 at West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Even with strong containment measures, as many as 22,000 Canadians could die of COVID-19 in the coming months.

That's the worst-case scenario set out by federal public health officials this morning at a briefing in Ottawa.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says short-term estimates are more reliable, and that up to 700 people could die by the end of next week.

Officials warn that if people don't obey social distancing and self-isolation rules, the death toll could be much higher.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says ``we cannot prevent every death but we must prevent every death that we can.''

Latest news

solutions-to-addictions-discussed-at-welfare-for-all-workshop-in-surrey
BCDec 08, 2025

Solutions to addictions discussed at Welfare of all workshop in Surrey

A welfare workshop was organized by the Vaapsi Seva Society this weekend at the Khalsa School, located near 120th Street and Old Yale Road in Surrey. The aim of this workshop was to educate people about addiction and mental health. The event continued from 1 pm to around 5 pm. Audience listens to the speaker at a welfare forum organized by Vaapsi Seva SocietyDuring this, various speakers shared their views and explained to the nearly 300 people who attended the workshop, based on their knowledge and experiences, the harms of substance use and addictions and its impact on the community. Audien
carney-says-details-of-federal-return-to-office-plan-expected-within-weeks
CanadaDec 08, 2025

Carney says details of federal return-to-office plan expected within weeks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will soon clarify how often public servants will be required to work from their offices, signalling that updated expectations should become clearer in the coming weeks. His comments came during a discussion with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the mayor’s monthly breakfast event hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal. Carney said in-person attendance requirements will not be uniform across the federal workforce and will instead reflect employees’ roles, responsibilities and seniority. He noted that the gover
burnaby-rcmp-seizes-high-value-stolen-goods-after-search-at-vancouver-home
BCDec 08, 2025

Burnaby RCMP seizes high value stolen goods after search at Vancouver home

Burnaby RCMP says a coordinated investigation into organized retail theft has led to the recovery of about $40,000 in stolen merchandise following a search at a Vancouver residence earlier this week. The operation was launched after the detachment’s Community Response Team received information that high end clothing was being resold through an online marketplace. Officers from the Community Response Team and the Bike Section executed the warrant on November 19, locating more than 230 items linked to stores in Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam and West Vancouver. Police also seized more than $2,0
air-transat-pilots-issue-strike-notice-as-contract-talks-stall-flights-set-to-wind-down-early-next-week
CanadaDec 08, 2025

Air Transat pilots issue strike notice as contract talks stall, flights set to wind down early next week

Air Transat travellers are being told to prepare for significant disruption after the union representing the airline’s 750 pilots served a 72-hour strike notice. The Air Line Pilots Association says its members will walk off the job Wednesday morning unless contract talks with Transat A.T. Inc. show meaningful progress. The notice follows nearly a year of negotiations and a 21-day cooling-off period that ends December 10, the first day pilots can legally strike or the company can issue a lockout. Transat says it is continuing round-the-clock discussions but warned that flight operations will
AlbertaDec 08, 2025

Heavy snowfall and high winds expected across northern and southern Alberta through Tuesday

Northern and southeastern Alberta are bracing for significant winter weather as a fast-moving system pushes across the province. Environment Canada says communities throughout the Peace Region, including Grande Prairie and areas near Athabasca, could receive 15 to 30 centimetres of snow by late Monday, with some brief pauses possible before the system intensifies again. South of Edmonton, a winter storm watch has been issued for regions around Red Deer and Medicine Hat. Forecasters warn the incoming front may deliver heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow, creating unpredictable conditio

Related News