Severe COVID-19 illness trends still rising in most regions, Canada's top doctor says

Canada's top doctor says even though the average daily COVID-19 case count across the country is down 30 per cent compared to last week, it's not an accurate reflection of the state of the pandemic.

Dr. Theresa Tam says targeted testing policies and reduced testing continue to underestimate the number of true infections, noting severe illness trends are still rising in most jurisdictions and hospitalization rates are increasing across all age groups.

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Quebec announced it will begin tracking COVID-19 rapid test results through an online portal, although experts question its usefulness and the accuracy of such data.

Health Minister Christian Dube says the government-run platform will help Quebec better track COVID-19 transmission in the community, given that publicly run PCR testing is reserved for people in high-risk groups.

COVID-19 cases fuelled by the highly-transmissible Omicron variant continue to strain hospitals, with New Brunswick's health minister saying most emergency room patients could be treated outside hospitals.

Alberta recorded its second-highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations with 1,418, one day after an overall record of 1,443.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2022.

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Canada

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World

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Iraqi authorities are investigating the killing of a social media influencer

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Anti-war protesters dig in as some schools close encampments after reports of antisemitic activity

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Yemen's Houthi rebels claim downing U.S. Reaper drone, release footage showing wreckage of aircraft

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Politics

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Health

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'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising

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Sci-Tech

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Hubble Space Telescope marks 34 years with new portrait of a 'cosmic dumbbell'

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Entertainment

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From pop to politics, what to know as Sweden prepares for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest

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Business

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Lifestyle

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Sports

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Autos

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King George SkyTrain station closed for 6 weeks

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Toronto

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Calgary

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Ottawa

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Montreal

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Edmonton

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Atlantic

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Man wanted on Canada-wide warrant arrested in Saint John

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Winnipeg

A timeline of the Jeremy Skibicki case

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Winnipeg emergency crews battle 5 fires in 6 hours Saturday morning

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Ice pileup warnings for Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg this weekend

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Regina

Teen boy charged after stealing from Regina business

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Kitchener

Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000

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Long faces around horse riding school as it prepares to close after 50 years

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Saskatoon

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Hometown kid nets overtime winner, Warriors lead 1-0

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Northern Ontario

French River area preparing for more flooding with weekend rain expected

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Northern Ont. hunters fined $8,500 for illegal moose hunt

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London

Fatal crash victim identified as 24-year-old Western University graduate

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'Beneath all these colours we are all one': Thousands attend Hindu Holi Festival at Victoria Park

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'I felt disappointed': Local women’s advocates lament MP Karen Vecchio’s ouster as Status of Women Committee chair

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Barrie

Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident

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Caledon OPP investigating serious two-vehicle crash

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Young driver charged after doing donuts and striking light post

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Windsor

Windsorite Theo Johnson selected by New York Giants in NFL Draft

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'It’s just life changing': No need to sell home after Windsorite wins 100K

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From backyard to professional pitch: Workshop gives opportunity to young aspiring players

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Vancouver Island

Canucks defeat Predators in Game 3, take 2-1 series lead

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Kelowna

B.C. man rescues starving dachshund trapped in carrier: BC SPCA

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Search crews called in after missing Kelowna senior's truck found

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Homicide investigation underway after body found near Kelowna, B.C.

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Lethbridge

Bandits get hat trick from Logan Sawyer en route to 8-2 win over Okotoks

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'No real winner' following first Alberta NDP leadership debate: political scientist

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Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario Chamber of Commerce delegates sew up quilt blocks for residential school survivors

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Sault begins phase 2 in waterfront development plan

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N.L.

Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's

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Cenovus fined $2.5 million for biggest oil spill in Newfoundland and Labrador history

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Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit

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CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Opinion | I just don't get Taylor Swift

Opinion | I just don't get Taylor Swift

Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift

Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift