Federal officials say the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada jumped 20% to 11,747, with 152 deaths so far.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam also cautions the number of cases and deaths will increase as the pandemic advances.

“This could explain why we are seeing a sharper rise in deaths reported in recent days,” Dr. Tam said. “This is a sad reminder to us all must take this disease seriously.”

She also says it points out the need to maintain social distancing, hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Meanwhile, Federal health minister Patty Hajdu took an apparent swipe at officials in the White House.

“We continue to work together at all levels of government to defeat this virus, and in this war I’d like to remind everyone that we are on the same side,” Hajdu said. “I’m  confident there is an end to this, and we will come out stronger together.”

3-M says they’ve been told by the White House to cease exports of masks and respirators to Canada.

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