Rising COVID-19 cases fueled by the fast-transmitting Omicron variant are pushing the healthcare system to the brink and putting pressure on some police and transit services.
With 170 registered staff members on COVID-19-related leave, the Winnipeg Police Service declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and Edmonton and Calgary police services warned of staffing challenges after increasing numbers of members tested positive or isolated.
GO Transit of Ontario says a temporary reduction in train and bus service in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton regions will begin in a few days due to staff shortages caused by the Omicron bypass.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced yesterday that Ottawa will distribute 140 million rapid tests nationwide this month, four times the amount delivered in December.
Read more:
Winnipeg Police Chief Declares State of Emergency Forcibly Due to COVID-19
Public Health Director Dr. Theresa Tam said restrictions on molecular laboratory testing mean there is no way to be sure how many COVID-19 cases are actually in Canada.
According to the latest figures from Health Canada, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has fueled 344,140 active cases across the country.
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