Threat from variants means provinces must be ready to lock down quickly: Dr. Theresa Tam

Canada’s chief public health officer says the national COVID-19 picture has been improving in recent weeks.

Daily case counts less than half of what they were a month ago and both deaths and hospitalizations dropping.

But Dr. Theresa Tam says the growing number of cases of the more contagious COVID-19 variants is a concern, noting a resurgence due to one of the new strains would be much more difficult to control.

She is urging provincial governments set to relax public health measures to be prepared to put them back in place at a moment’s notice.

Ontario set to begin reopening economy

Ontario will begin to gradually reopen its economy on Wednesday starting with three public health units.

Health units in Hastings Prince Edward; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington; and Renfrew County will move into the least-restrictive green category.

That means the province’s lockdown and stay-at-home orders will lift in the regions and restaurants and non-essential businesses can reopen.

On Feb. 15, all remaining regions except three hot spots in the Greater Toronto Area are set to move to the restrictions framework.

The category they are placed in will depend on their local case rates.