Ontario, Quebec report higher daily COVID 19 cases after Trudeau warns of second wave
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Quebecers are being urged to minimize in-person contact and Ontario is trying to clear its COVID-19 testing backlog as Canada's two most populous provinces reported increases in new daily infections.
Ontario reported 409 new infections Thursday, 74 more than Wednesday. Quebec had 582 new cases, up from 471 a day earlier.
Quebec's health minister warned the province could "hit a wall" if efforts aren't taken to reduce the rising infection numbers and is urging people to minimize non-essential gatherings in the coming weeks.
Christian Dube said the contagion is being driven by community transmission at family gatherings, private parties, funerals and weddings.
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said nearly two-thirds of new cases in her province are in people under 40.
Ontario tweaked its approach to asymptomatic testing on Thursday as many centres in the province have struggled with long lineups. Back-to-school demand has contributed to a processing backlog of nearly 54,000 tests.
Previously, anyone who wanted to get a COVID-19 test could go to an assessment centre.
"There are two groups: people that want a test just for getting a test because they'll feel a little more comfortable ... or people who need a test," said Premier Doug Ford.
"We have to focus on the people who need a test."
Asymptomatic people can still make an appointment at up to 60 pharmacies across the province to get tested, but that also only applies to those in certain higher-risk categories such as if they've come into contact with a known case or have a loved one in long-term care.
Alberta reined back its broad asymptomatic testing last week, limiting it to close contacts of confirmed cases and high-risk groups.
Manitoba's chief public health officer said half of the province's COVID-19 cases in recent weeks have been in people who have visited bars, pubs and restaurants as it reported 37 new cases, the bulk in Winnipeg.
Canada's total number of COVID-19 cases stands at nearly 149,000, including more than 9,200 deaths.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned in a televised speech on Wednesday that a dramatic tripling in new daily COVID-19 cases in the last month means Canadians aren't likely to be able to gather for Thanksgiving.
"We're on the brink of a fall that could be much worse than the spring."
Trudeau said Canadians can't do anything to change the numbers now, or even tomorrow.
"But what we can change is where we are in October, and into the winter," he said.
"It's all too likely we won't be gathering for Thanksgiving, but we still have a shot at Christmas."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2020
Note to readers: This is a corrected story; An earlier version said Ontario's total case numbers were more than 148,000 when that figure was actually national.