Why Canada does not know how many cases are connected to travel
Arguments in favor of more robust travel-related measures for Canada in the course of the COVID-19 epidemic often draw attention to the fact that only a few cases can be linked to travelers. The primary source of this information comes from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), which regularly releases information about places where there is a risk of exposure to the disease in Canada as well as on International and domestic travel.
Based on the reported exposures, PHAC estimates that international travel was responsible for 0.4 percent in May and 2.7 percent of all confirmed cases during the last eight months. These figures are regularly used in the press by representatives from industry public health officials, as well as government officials.
Based on these findings, which suggest there is a small risk from traveling, governments have been hesitant to put in place more stringent measures about who can travel and the protocols they need to adhere to.
Premier Minister Justin Trudeau announces new travel restrictions and protocols for arrival, as reported by CTV News.
For instance, on the day of Jan. 21st, British Columbia Premier John Horgan justified his decision not to restrict travel between provincial provinces due to the fact that the government is only able to take action ” if they are creating harm to the safety and health of the British Columbians. If we notice an increase in the number of travelers … we’ll apply more strict restrictions to travelers who are not essential.”
This international research team has been looking into how decision-making is made regarding measures related to travel during the COVID-19 epidemic across various countries, including Canada. Comparing Canada’s travel-related estimates to other countries, as well as the methods used to detect and count the number of imported cases, we believe that the numbers often cited underestimate the number of COVID-19 cases that have been linked to travel. The current system isn’t regularly or consistently gathering enough information to form the foundation for decision-making.
This happens at a time when COVID-19’s latest versions ensure that sound travel practices are more important. A more reliable, effective, accurate, and timely system is needed urgently.
Read more: Why new COVID-19 variants are on the rise and spreading around the world.
Counting cases
The current estimates are based on passengers from abroad arriving via air. Passengers are required to be monitored and quarantined for fourteen weeks, and in the event they are symptomatic and undergo a test. If they have a positive test and they claim to have been traveling on an international or domestic flight, they will be added to an online database of possible exposures.
People who are in the seat row next to them are considered to be at greater risk of being notified. Other travelers are required to look out for alerts and be quarantined regardless of. Only the cases of direct passengers on flights are considered. Any subsequent transmission to the community that involves tracked travelers or others is not counted in any official way.