New COVID cases continue downward trend, but officials urge caution as flu season approaches
CBC
Health officials say COVID-19 cases are still trending downward nationally but warn that a hard flu season could put more pressure on the health care system.
Last week, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported that the virus's reproductive number (Rt) had fallen below one for the first time since mid-July, putting new COVID infections on a downward trajectory for the first time in months.
PHAC says the past week saw an average of about 3,160 new cases per day, down 15 per cent from 3,745 average cases the previous week.
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But Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam continues to urge precautions to avoid straining the health care system at a time when thousands of Canadians are still being treated for the virus in hospitals.
Tam pointed to the approaching flu season as a reason for Canadians to remain cautious.
"If a continuing fourth wave of COVID 19 were combined with a resurgence of the flu, this could place additional pressures on the health care system," Tam told a press conference Friday.