So what is going on, and why might Canada's experience be different to that of the US so far? Unlike the US, however, Canada has a universal, decentralized and publicly funded healthcare system administered by its 13 provinces and territories. That means that people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to healthcare," said Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal. "What makes that an important factor is that, regardless of where you are in your phase of illness, you will still be able to get healthcare."
Far more Americans were ending up in intensive care as well. Last month during the Omicron wave, the number peaked at nearly 79 per million when Canada's was 32 per million. "That has to be a function of healthcare systems. [Canada] is intervening quicker, and in different ways, than the US," Dr. Cameron said. "That's where severe cases are ending up when other approaches and interventions have failed."