Omicron causes 'enormous' caseload, but severe illness not rising at same rate: Dr. Theresa Tam

Canada's chief public health officer says the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is causing an "enormous" volume of cases.

In a news conference this morning, Dr. Theresa Tam said the average daily case count has increased 65 per cent from last week.

Tam says testing capacity is challenged in many areas of the country, but public health officials continue to use other indicators to measure the progress of the virus.

Dr. Theresa Tam said the new variant is now "predominating and widespread" in much of the country.

Tam says the portion of laboratory tests coming back positive is estimated at 29 per cent, indicating significant community transmission.