The federal government has announced new measures today aimed at mobilizing the country’s scientists and researchers in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says we need to have a long-term plan moving forward.
As as result, the federal government is investing 1.1 billion dollars for a national medical research strategy, which includes 3 pillars: research on vaccines and other treatments, supports for clinical trials, and expanding national testing and modelling.
Pillar 1-$115-million for Vaccines and research being developed in hospitals and universities across Canada-on top of funding previously announced.
Pillar 2- $662-million for a clinical trial led by Canada for a long-term solution
Pillar 3-$350-million to expand national testing and modelling. It also includes the creation of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, which will look into how many people have had the virus, whether they are now immune to it and if so, how long that immunity lasts.
The PM says testing of over 2-million Canadians will be a part of this study.
He says testing is key and about 20-thousand tests are being conducted daily, which is almost double where they were earlier this month.
Today’s measures bolster previous efforts by the Trudeau government to support Canada’s scientific community in the battle against COVID-19.
Trudeau says “the better we understand this virus, the better we can fight it and eventually defeat it.”
Today, I’m announcing more support for medical research to fight COVID-19, and a new national task force to oversee country-wide blood test surveys. Watch live for the details: https://t.co/PF8UtB3Ys9
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 23, 2020
LIVE: PM Justin Trudeau provides update on federal response to COVID-19
EN DIRECT : Le PM Justin Trudeau fait le point sur la réponse fédérale à la COVID-19#cdnpoli #COVID19 https://t.co/1MyDsEuVu2
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) April 23, 2020