Covid-19;Tension Grows in Canada as Delta Variant Surges.

Canada’s top health officials are warning that the more infectious delta variant of COVID-19 might mark the start of a fourth COVID-19 wave.

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According to Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer, the severity of the pandemic’s reappearance will be primarily determined by vaccination coverage.

“This prognosis emphasizes the need to proceed with caution when easing public health measures, to be watchful and sensitive to indicators of resurgence, and to continue to expand first and second dose vaccination coverage,” Tam added.

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“This forecast reaffirms the need to take a cautious approach to relaxing public health measures, to remain vigilant and responsive to signs of resurgence, and to continue to increase first and second dose vaccination coverage,” Tam said.

The delta version is already causing rapid proliferation in some provinces.Despite the fact that global case numbers are down, Alberta is seeing the virus spread faster than it did during the third wave’s peak, with the more infectious strain driving up case numbers.

After a rapid rise in cases in the Central Okanagan, B.C. declared a COVID-19 outbreak and is reimposing a local mask mandate, as well as other public health measures.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C. Provincial Health Officer, said the spread of the delta variant in the area is concerning, but she hopes the additional measures will help to level out the increase in numbers.

How Dangerous is the Delta Variant?

Scientists says the Delta Variant is at least 40-60% more transmissible than Alpha and nearly twice as transmissible as the original Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2.

Furthermore, patients infected with the Delta Variant have much more viral particles in their airways.

The viral loads in Delta infections were 1,000 times higher than those in infections produced by other variations, according to a Chinese study.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers Delta to be the “fastest and fittest” variety to yet, based on this evidence.