Since Chinese Health Authorities first alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31 2019 of numerous pneumonia cases in Wuham City in the Hubei Province in China which had no apparent cause, the mystery disease now named COVID-19 which started out as a scare, turned out to be a living nightmare. From the moment of its identification, COVID - 19 has infected many countries. As the numbers climbed, concerns grew over a massive global outbreak.

Many countries, for fear of a healthcare collapse due to mass influx of positive cases, instituted extreme lockdowns closing schools and any business deemed inessential. Yet despite the joint efforts of political leaders and health care authorities, the numbers continued to climb as did the casualties.

At this point, the current confirmed cases globally is sitting at 72 851 747 and 1 643 399 (WHO) deaths. In Canada, confirmed 486 424 of which there have 395 000 recoveries and 13 844 deaths as at December 17, 2020

In the County of Two Hills there have been 94 total cases, 38 active cases with 54 recoveries.

With the rise in cases and a higher mortality rate, authorities stress the importance of wearing a face mask and sanitizing regularly. Anyone experiencing symptoms are urged to quarantine to minimize the spread of the virus.

The Public Health Agency of Canada expects to have enough vaccine by September 2021 to inoculate every Canadian who wants a shot. “Based on current data, by the end of September 2021, Canada projects having sufficient member doses to be able to offer a vaccination to every Canadian,”a spokesperson for PHAC said in a statement to CBC News.

Healthcare professionals urge the public to remain vigilant as it may be some time before the vaccines become readily available and the resurgence is proving to be more difficult to manage than the first wave.