(The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson)

By rdnewsNOW and Canadian Press

day of observance

Saturday is third anniversary of COVID-19 pandemic being declared

Mar 11, 2023 | 1:05 PM

Today marks three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and Canada’a chief public health officer says the virus has reached a relatively steady state.

Doctor Theresa Tam says in recent months there have been no new variant-driven waves of infection.

Omicron subvariants continue to spread but hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths have stabilized.

Tam says population immunity is high due to an overall high vaccine uptake combined with the immunity people got from infection.

“Today is Canada’s National Day of Observance for COVID-19, a day to remember more than 51,000 people who have lost their lives, and to recognize those who are still suffering from COVID-19 and its significant impacts,” says Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister of Health.

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“It is also a day to acknowledge the tremendous resilience and sacrifices of the people in Canada, and to express our gratitude to all the health care and essential workers who have compassionately, tirelessly, and fearlessly been on the front lines throughout this pandemic.”

Since the declaration, 51,447 Canadians, including 5,622 Albertans, have died from COVID-19.

“An important part of managing this virus involves recognizing and helping those who are experiencing post COVID-19 condition (PCC) or long COVID. While scientific knowledge on this condition is growing, much is still unknown,” says Duclos.

“The Government of Canada recently released the full report from the Task Force on PCC which provides action items to help manage the health and socio-economic impacts of PCC in Canada. Additionally, we are funding Long COVID Web to develop accurate diagnostics, treatments, and rehabilitation strategies for PCC as well as Cochrane Canada and GRADE centres at McMaster University to develop clinical practice guidelines on PCC to support patients and health professionals.”

There are still 518 people in Alberta hospitals with COVID-19, including 12 in intensive care. There were 347 cases of COVID-19 reported to Alberta Health Services in the last week.

As of March 6, 9,992,842 doses of vaccine have been administered.

(with files from The Canadian Press)