Has Canada really passed the Omicron peak? Experts optimistic but urging caution
CTV
Canada's top doctor has said the latest wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant may have reached its peak. But while the modelling appears encouraging, experts say the news should be interpreted with cautious optimism.
But while the modelling appears encouraging, experts say the news should be interpreted with cautious optimism.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tam told reporters on Friday that there are "early indications that infections may have peaked at the national level" based on daily case counts, test positivity, the reproduction number and wastewater data.
"I hope we're at or nearing the peak, but the problem that I have is where we've got some uncertainty in the counting now since we don't do as much PCR testing as we once did," Dr. Ronald St. John, former director-general of the Public Health Agency of Canada's Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, told CTV News Channel on Saturday.
Due to the shortages in PCR testing capacity, many people who develop COVID-19, particularly if they're not in a high-risk group and have mild or no symptoms, have been unable to get PCR tests.