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.

She says it could explain why there is a sharper rise in deaths reported in recent days.

“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.