Thought of the Day - March 6 2022 - By the Numbers

Official COVID deaths around the world have now hit six million, with the US closing in on one million of these.

The countries that had been working for COVID-Zero are now starting to experience the Omicron case wave; either due to reopening or leaks. With no natural immunity to boost their vaccination program the virus spreads like wildfire.

Case in point is Hong Kong; where cases have exploded in the past week. They have now shot up to the highest number of per capita cases.

Deaths have also started to increase as hospitals in Hong Kong are getting overwhelmed with the sudden influx of cases coupled with staff shortages. As they have been so successful in the past, they now have a pent-up "death debt". Meaning many of their most vulnerable are now being exposed for the first time. Those, that in other countries passed away in 2020 or 2021, are now in critical condition.

New Zealand is rapidly following suit in number of cases. It is also expected that Australia's Western Territories, whose lockdown of almost 700 days ended last week, will see significant outbreaks in the coming weeks.

Only time will tell which will prove to be the best overall strategy (minimal intervention, restrictions by wave, or COVID-zero).

Canada's cases, hospitalizations and deaths are now leveling off; as outbreaks still continue particularly in the territories and islands, as they have been for a couple of weeks now.

This week's shout out goes to Ontario. They now have one of the lowest fatality rates in the country. This week they ended most of their restrictions including vaccine passports.

Cheers

Cliff