Canada confirms 1,411 monkeypox cases

Canada has confirmed 1,411 cases of monkeypox, including 38 hospitalisations, the Public Health Agency of Canada said.

Of the confirmed cases, 674 are from Ontario, 521 from Quebec, 167 from British Columbia, 41 from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, two from the Yukon and one each from Nova Scotia, Manitoba and New Brunswick, the health agency added on Friday.

The rollout of second doses in Canada started this week. The second dose, only for people who do not have symptoms, can be administered 28 days after the first, Xinhua news agency reported.

Monkeypox is a viral disease that can spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person, including through hugs, kisses, massages or sexual intercourse, according to experts.

Canada confirms 18,478 new Covid-19 cases in one week

On the other hand, Canada confirmed 18,478 new Covid-19 cases for the week ending October 1, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said.

The number of total Covid-19 cases and deaths in Canada reached 4,270,891 and 45,394 respectively, according to the weekly update issued by the PHAC on Friday.

The daily positive rate during the week averaged at 11.9 per cent, and daily tests per 100,000 people were 59, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Canadian government got rid of Covid-19 border restrictions from October, including mandatory vaccinations, testing and quarantine of international travellers.

Health Canada said vaccination continues to be one of the most effective tools to protect against Covid-19 and that getting booster doses as recommended will help protect individuals against serious illness and other complications from Covid-19 infection.

Health Canada authorised on Friday a second bivalent Covid-19 vaccine booster targeting the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, noting that all mRNA Covid-19 vaccines authorised for use in the country continue to be very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalisation and death from Covid-19.