The federal Chief Public Health Officer, Teresa Tam, is once again warning Canadians that a new wave of Covid-19 could be coming down the chimney soon, saying Canadians should think twice about who they socialize with this Christmas.

“When planning a holiday gathering, consider the potential impact of respiratory illnesses on your health and social plans,” Tam said Wednesday.

“The health status and risk factors of the people you’ll be gathering with, and the places you’ll be gathering in.”

Tam has been making the same comments since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020. For the last three Christmases, she’s discouraged or warned Canadians about gathering with loved ones.

It was unclear if Tam was wearing one mask or two while she read through a pre-written statement. She suggested that Canadians, once again, inquire with family members about when they were last boosted.

She also warned about the upcoming umpteenth wave of the novel coronavirus.

“Surveillance indicators, including clinical and wastewater testing show that Sars-cov-2 is still circulating across the country.”

“And while we are past the peak of the last COVID-19 resurgence, it is too soon to let our guard down,” she said, echoing her comments of the last three years.

“In Canada, variations in population level of immunity, and current global trends suggest that an uptick in COVID-19 could occur in the new year,” Tam continued.

Tam noted that genetic sequencing data show a continued variance of the virus. She also said that influenza-related hospitalizations are worrisome, adding that multiple sites across the country have received “sharp increases.”

Tam also reminded Canadians that they can get their flu shot and a COVID booster at the same time.

“Staying up to date with the recommended vaccines provides an important foundation of protection,” she said.

The December update from Canada’s Covid stats shows that 79.5% of Canadians are not ‘up-to-date’ vaccinated, compared to 80% the month before.