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Omicron in Canada: Rapid spread shows the gap between rich and poor

As parts of Canada see a staggering increase in COVID-19 activity amid the rapid spread of Omicron, experts say the highly transmissible variant is creating a surge in COVID-19 activity. Pay attention to social inequality across the country.

Amit Arya, a palliative care physician in Mississauga, Ont., said the rise of Omicron continues to show “the story of two pandemics – rich and poor,” with people able to afford to protect them. defend themselves better than those who cannot.

Dr Andrew Boozary, head of the Social Medicine Program at the University of Toronto Health Network, says that while many essential workers have had two doses of the vaccine, absorption of the third dose is slower in those people with lower incomes.

Health professionals recommend booster vaccinations to increase protection, especially against serious illness and death, both of which are on the rise in parts of Canada.

Ontario reported 2,594 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Saturday, of which 385 were in intensive care, while Quebec reported 44 deaths from the virus, the highest daily death toll. for almost a year.

Meanwhile, figures released Saturday in Atlantic Canada show a steady rise in COVID-19 cases there, with hospitals around the region reporting that they are nearing or over capacity.

The number of people in hospitals in New Brunswick increased from 69 to 80, of which 17 were in intensive care and 11 were on ventilators.

While Omicron is thought to cause less severe disease in some people, experts say that characterizing the variant as “mild” can be problematic.

“You hear people say, ‘Why are you so worried about Omicron? If you’re healthy and young there’s no problem, it’s just a cold.” And that’s wrong,” Boozary said. “It completely disproves the reality of millions of people in this country.

“It’s that complete language and tone and policy that is putting millions of people at risk.”

Essential workers bore the brunt of the COVID-19 infection during the Delta wave in Canada last spring, and Arya says low-wage workers are likely to experience it again.

People with lower incomes, who make up the majority of essential workers, often cannot afford upgraded N95 masks or rapid antigen testing, nor can they easily take time off work for isolation or injections, he said. booster dose.

As provinces expand eligibility for PCR testing, Arya points out, private testing companies in Ontario, can provide same-day results to those willing to pay $160 or more for the service. service, further showing the income divide in how people can cope with COVID-19.

“If you have the money, you can buy the protection you need to stay alive and safe,” he said.

Ontario’s Saturday admissions were up from the previous day’s 2,472 patients hospitalized and 338 patients in intensive care units. There were also 31 new deaths linked to the virus.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said 248 ICU patients were not fully immunized or had unknown vaccination status, and 137 were fully vaccinated.

The province also reported 13,362 new COVID-19 cases, but Public Health Ontario said the actual number of cases may be higher as current testing policies limit access for many residents.

Quebec cites an 11% increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations, with health officials counting 2,296 hospitalized patients – 163 more than the day before – including 245 people in intensive care. in particular, an increase of 16 people compared to the previous day.

The province’s 44 deaths, up from 27 a day earlier, marked the worst tally since January 27, 2021, when 45 deaths were reported.

Quebec also recorded 15,928 new COVID-19 cases.

Nova Scotia reported 1,145 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, with the province saying it is currently limiting contact tracing to long-term care facilities, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and more. training, shelter, and other group settings.

New Brunswick has 421 new cases and one new death.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published on January 8, 2022.

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