Dr. Theresa TamEgiaztatu kontua

4/4 Wherever you are this #LongWeekend, going out should ONLY be an option IF you can go OUT SMART. Living with #COVID19 means maintaining #GoodHygiene habits, #PhysicalDistancing, frequent #handwashing, #coughetiquette & #StayHomeIfSick. #OutSmartEpidemics

3/4 Going OUT SMART also means KNOWING WHEN TO STAY IN!! Going out is NOT okay when you are sick, even if you are experiencing only mild symptoms consistent with #COVID19. #StayHomeIfSick is a MUST DO. #StayHomeSavesLives #ProtecttheVulnerable

2/4 Depending on #COVID19 #epidemiology in your area, local #publichealth may recommend using a non-medical mask or facial covering as an added layer of protection for when #PhysicalDistancing 2 m. from others is not possible, e.g. on public transit.

1/4 Going OUT SMART #COVID19 means #PhysicalDistancing 2 metres from others wherever & whenever possible, keeping up #GoodHygiene, #WashYourHands often, avoiding high touch surfaces/objects, & always using #CoughEtiquette. #OutSmartEpidemics

4/4 That means not dropping vital layers of protection that we’ve used to #PlanktheCurve that are now well-ingrained, like #GoodHygiene habits and #PhysicalDistancing. These measures help to protect you and #ProtecttheVulnerable at the same time.

3/4 The reality is that #COVID19 is still spreading in some areas and it will be with us for the foreseeable future. So as local authorities continue to slowly reopen recreational, social, & economic spaces, the right & safest way to go out is to go OUT SMART. #OutSmartEpidemics

2/4 As we continue down the curve, there are lessons to be learnt from other countries that are ahead of us on this path. Move too soon, relax too much & COVID-19 will come back. #COVID19 is still active in many areas of , so we must remain vigilant.

1/4 #COVID19 key concerns in : With slowed epidemic growth & the Victoria Day long weekend upon us, getting outside is top of mind. At the same time, many Canadians are concerned about how we can go out safely. This is a reasonable concern.

2/2 As we target #COVID19 testing where the virus is spreading, a low % positive (keeping <10%) indicates our surveillance remains sensitive. The net is cast wide, confirming the few infected (+ve) & many uninfected (-ve) as we #TestandTrace.

1/2 To date, labs across have tested 1,232,912 people for #COVID19, w\ an average ~6% positive overall. In recent weeks, an average of 26-28,000 people are tested daily (w\ ~4% +ve) as #publichealth continues to #TestandTrace.

1/2 Over 10,700 #FluWatchers reporting this week. Keeping it steady 3 weeks in a row with only 0.2% reporting symptoms of cough and fever. #PhysicalDistancing #StayHomeSaveLives

3/3 #COVID19 serology tests are also essential to understanding the body’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the understanding of whether those infected by the virus have long-lasting immunity.

2/3 Serological/antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus will help us understand the scope and scale of #COVID19 infections across the country, which will be key to managing the epidemic over the coming months. https://bit.ly/3dLyUXJ 

1/3 Health Canada @GovCanHealth has authorized the first #COVID19 serological test that will enable labs in Canada to test for antibodies that indicate whether people have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus.

3/3 Dr. Guillaume Poliquin will act as Scientific Director General of the NML. Dr. Poliquin has been integral to Canada’s lab response to COVID-19 and has extensive knowledge of infectious diseases, treatment, vaccines, and diagnostic testing.

2/3 Join me in wishing Dr. Gilmour and his family the very best as they embark on this exciting journey in the United Kingdom.