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Briefing Package for the hearing on Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates – 26 April 2021

COVID-19 is a new disease not previously identified in humans. Currently there is no vaccine or therapeutic product for COVID-19 that is authorized to treat or prevent the disease. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in a global review of therapies that could be used to treat or prevent the infection. In an effort to facilitate earlier access to a vaccine, or therapeutic product for COVID-19, the Department will expedite the review of any COVID-19 related health product submissions and applications.

As of June 16, all COVID-19 datasets will be updated weekly on Thursdays by 2pm. This dataset details the percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in hospitals and ICUs for COVID-19 related reasons, and for reasons other than COVID-19. Data includes: * reporting date * percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in hospital admitted for COVID-19 * percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in hospital admitted for other reasons * percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in ICU admitted for COVID-19 * percentage of COVID-19 positive patients in ICU admitted for other reasons Due to incomplete weekend and holiday reporting, data for hospital and ICU admissions are not updated on Sundays, Mondays and the day after holidays. This dataset is subject to change.

COVID-19 is a new disease. A vaccine or therapy to treat or prevent this disease has not yet been developed. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global review of therapies that may be used to treat or prevent the disease. Canada is speeding up the importation and sale of medical devices used to diagnose, treat or prevent COVID-19.

Variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging that may affect the level of protection provided by currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, manufacturers are adapting authorized COVID-19 vaccines to provide protection against infection and disease caused by virus variants.

COVID-19 vaccine ingredients in the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines.

What being vaccinated against COVID-19 means for me. By getting vaccinated, you benefit from the protection you get against COVID-19 and the easing of restrictive measures in your community.

People with COVID-19 do not always recognize their early symptoms. Even if you do not have symptoms now, it is possible to transmit COVID-19 before you start showing symptoms or without ever developing symptoms. You need to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days at home when you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms. Quarantine and isolation can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others.

Several different types of treatments for COVID-19 have been developed. Examples include drugs that reduce or stop the virus from multiplying in human cells and drugs that treat the symptoms of COVID-19.

This page presents detailed information on Canada's whole-of-government actions to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.