Canada surpasses 2 million COVID-19 cases

TRENTON, Canada

COVID-19 cases in Canada surged past the 2 million mark Monday as the omicron variant embedded itself in the country.

The US Johns Hopkins University, which keeps a running total of virus cases globally in various countries, put the Canadian figure at 2,005,105, with 30,215 deaths. Active cases totaled just under 160,000 and 1.8 million have recovered.

The total number of vaccine doses administered as of the latest figures available (Dec. 24 due to Christmas holidays) stood at about 66,577,577 million, according to Government of Canada statistics, with 29.4 fully vaccinated, or 77.2%. Canada has a population of about 38 million.

The highly transmissible omicron variant has sent case numbers skyrocketing, particularly in the two most populous provinces. Ontario reported more than 9,400 cases Monday for the fourth consecutive day. Quebec numbers surged to more than 8,000 cases Monday.

Public health officials are worried that the numbers may overwhelm hospitals and health-care workers as they battle the burgeoning case count.

Paul-Emile Cloutier, president of HealthCareCAN which represents research hospitals and regional health authorities, told CTV News Sunday that health-care workers are under fire.

"The health professionals are stepping up one more time, as they do normally, and try to provide the care that patients need," Cloutier said. "But they do it when they're tired. They're doing it when they're exhausted. They're doing it when they're at the end of their rope."

Provinces are adopting new restrictions as the omicron variant grabs hold and is not likely to let go for some time.

"I think everybody agrees that the numbers will go higher," he said.

Dr. Abdu Sharkaway, a Toronto University Health Network infectious disease expert, agreed with Cloutier.

"It's impossible for these numbers to slow down for at least the next three to four weeks, unless very drastic measures are taken," he said.