COVID-19 modelling shows curve flattening; up to 3,883 deaths by May 5

Federal forecasting data suggests that by May 5, as many as 3,883 people could die due to COVID-19.

And by the same date, there could be as many as 66,835 cases in Canada.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the initial models released on April 9 under-predicted the number of deaths in Canada.

But she says with a large number of outbreaks occurring in long-term care homes, there has been a higher fatality rate.

Dr. Theresa Tam says so far, 740,000 tests have been carried out, with about 20,000 people getting tested daily.

Seven percent have tested positive.

Tam says the new models are planning tools that allow illness rates to be forecasted in the short term and to allow public health measures to be adjusted.