COVID-19 cases in Canada might escalate beyond the levels seen in the spring, according to recent reports, suggesting a second wave of the pandemic.
The coronavirus second wave is upon us, and it's shaping up to be a doozy in Canada, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. During a prime-time address on all national TV networks, he broke the news.
"The second wave is here, and the figures don't lie: when we enforced a nationwide lockdown on March 13, there were just 47 new cases reported, but yesterday (September 22), there were over a thousand," he said. "This fall could be far more severe than it was in the spring."
Trudeau urged all Canadians to adopt necessary safety measures to combat this wave, such as wearing masks, keeping social distance, and getting a flu shot.
"By working together, we can curb the second wave of the pandemic," the prime minister stressed.
He also hinted that the traditional large-scale Thanksgiving celebration, usually held in October, is "already uncertain, but we've got a chance to celebrate at Christmas (December 25)."
The leader noted that Canada has secured deals with prominent international pharmaceutical companies working on a coronavirus vaccine.
"The vaccine will be at our disposal as soon as it's ready," the prime minister promised.
Since the beginning of September, Canada has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, with over a thousand new infections reported on September 17, the highest figure since late May. At the start of the month, no more than 300-400 cases were reported daily. The rise in cases is evident in provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario.
While Canada's current situation doesn't neatly fit the traditional definition of a "second wave," it's clear that ongoing COVID-19 activity persists. As of April 2025, roughly one in 151 Canadians is actively infected, causing around 4,400 hospitalizations and 8,600 severe long COVID cases weekly. Additionally, nearly 30,000 hospitalizations and 1,837 deaths have occurred since summer 2024, with approximately 3.5 million Canadians estimated to have long COVID as of the same date [4]. No specific safety measures from Prime Minister Trudeau have been reported in recent documents, but government focus seems to be on trade countermeasures against U.S. auto imports with no COVID-19-related policy updates in the provided reports [3]. Public health responses likely continue to prioritize vaccination, although current recommendations primarily target unvaccinated populations and older adults [2]. Meanwhile, a measles outbreak (with 731 cases nationally by April 2025, mainly in Ontario) has highlighted infectious disease risks due to reduced surveillance systems [4]. COVID-19 wastewater monitoring and vaccination tracking continue nationally [1].
- Despite the staggering rise in coronavirus cases in provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized the importance of citizens adopting safety measures during the second wave.
- As the second wave is underway, it appears very unlikely that Canada will be able to celebrate a traditional large-scale Thanksgiving celebration this year, while the prospects for a Christmas celebration are still uncertain.
- With the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and ongoing activity, science and medical-conditions continue to dominate the health-and-wellness, general-news, and, to some extent, politics discourse in Canada.
- Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted that Canada has secured deals with prominent international pharmaceutical companies working on a coronavirus vaccine and promised that the vaccine will be ready for use as soon as it becomes available.
- Even though Canada's second wave of the pandemic might not perfectly align with the traditional definition, it has led to numerous hospitalizations, severe long COVID cases, and deaths over the past year, making it a pressing concern for citizens and authorities alike.
