National COVID-19 epidemic curve is rising again in Canada

Canadian officials are once again fretting about the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The latest data to be compiled by heath authorities shows a moderately rising epidemic curve starting around the end of August.

After the first wave peaked in April with just over 2,000 cases a day, the curve flattened to about 300 cases a day in Canada. However, the first week of September saw cases double to around 600 cases a day. Officials are now forecasting cases to quickly jump to over 1000 cases a day, with projections showing the potential for much higher daily averages.

The rise in reported cases at this time does not come as a surprise, given that the end of August and the beginning of September marks the beginning of a new school year and the end of summer vacations for many across the country. Canadian schools have resumed operation across all provinces with certain restrictions and measures in place.

Despite measures put in place across education systems, contact frequency, compliance fatigue, and other various factors have resulted in exposures increasing. As a result, transmission risks have increased substantially. These risks are now appearing in the epidemic curve data.

We've added Canada's COVID-19 data to the dashboard.