Canada faces ‘critical week’

Canada faces “a critical week” in fighting the coronavirus, a senior official said, as the death toll jumped and the most populous province said residents should brace for a stark scenario.

Deaths surged to 161 from 105 on Wednesday while positive cases rose to 11,131 from 9,017, according to provincial announcements compiled by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

“This is a critical week in our fight against the coronavirus,” said Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Canada’s public health agency is particularly worried by the spread of the coronavirus in seniors’ residences, which are turning into hotspots in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia – the three biggest provinces by population.

It has also expressed concerns about remote, northern indigenous communities, where healthcare is scant. Canada’s military is in talks to offer help if necessary, an official at the ministry of indigenous services told reporters.

The health agency predicted a surge in Ontario, which accounts for more than a third of Canada’s 38 million citizens.

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