Abstract
This rapid communication describes deaths among cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Canada by province and territory and by case characteristics. Of the 106,804 cases of COVID-19 reported in Canada as of July 9, 2020, 8,749 resulted in death, which represents a mortality rate of 23.3 per 100,000 population, and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 8.2%. Within Canada, the CFR ranged from 0% to 10.0% by province and territory, with the differences likely reflecting differences in the extent of the epidemic within each jurisdiction, and where and among whom localized outbreaks occurred (e.g. outbreaks in long term care homes, affecting older individuals with multi-morbidities). The CFRs increased with age and with the number of pre-existing medical conditions, and among residents of long term care and seniors' homes. Plans are underway to collect more detailed information on cases, including race and ethnicity, which will add to our understanding of the communities most impacted by COVID-19. Studies of excess mortality, a measure of the number of people who died from any cause as compared with the historical average, will help to clarify the full impact of COVID-19 within Canadian jurisdictions.
Highlights
By early July 2020, Canada had successfully flattened the initial wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, bringing the average number of reported daily cases down from a peak of 1,600 in the last week of April to 290 cases in the week leading up to July 9, 2020
Deaths provide a late indication of COVID-19 transmission, they provide a clear indication of the severity and impact of the disease and highlight the need to protect vulnerable populations, including those who are older and living with multiple pre-existing medical conditions
Canadians living in long term care and seniors’ homes have been severely impacted, with higher case fatality rates compared with older Canadians who are not living in such settings
Summary
By early July 2020, Canada had successfully flattened the initial wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, bringing the average number of reported daily cases down from a peak of 1,600 in the last week of April to 290 cases in the week leading up to July 9, 2020. After age-standardization, differences in mortality rates by province were likely due to a number of factors, including, most prominently, the spread of COVID-19 within long term care and seniors’ homes. Ontario and Québec had the highest age-standardized mortality rates at 18.4 and 60.4, respectively, with over 70% of these deaths occurring in long term care homes and seniors’ residences (Table 1).
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