Delta variant 'already the dominant strain' in Waterloo Region: Dr. Wang
Waterloo Region's top doctor says the Delta variant is "already the dominant strain" in the community.
Speaking at the region's COVID-19 briefing on Friday morning, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said based on latest data, the Delta variant is circulating in the community.
Using proxy data, health officials believe 65 per cent of cases between June 6 and 12 are the Delta variant.
"Residents should assume Delta is the dominant strain circulating in Waterloo Region," Dr. Wang said.
The region is dealing with a large shelter system outbreak, but Dr. Wang said that is not where the majority of cases are coming from.
She said most spread is through close contacts within in households, or between groups during social gatherings.
"If we didn't have the immunization rates we already do in Waterloo Region, this situation could be much worse," Dr. Wang said.
"Delta can take off very quickly once it gets a foothold," Dr. Wang said.
She said what's happening in Waterloo Region could happen anywhere.
"What is making our situation different from the province, it's because we believe nowt that Delta is circulating widely," she said.
Dr. Wang encouraged people to take the first mRNA vaccine available, reminding residents there is no difference between Pfizer and Moderna. She said they are both highly and equally effective.
The province identified Waterloo Region as a Delta hot spot last week, and officials with the vaccine task force said more vaccine doses are expected in the coming days.
VACCINATION UPDATE
Dept. Chief Shirley Hilton, who leads the region's COVID-19 vaccine task force, said eligibility for second doses will expand for everyone who received a dose on or before May 30 starting Wednesday.
Currently, residents who are eligible for an accelerated second dose can fill out a form on the region's website. Hilton said they hope to have a self-booking system operational by Monday.
Hilton said they're working to set up mobile clinics to help administer vaccines, and the Pine Bush vaccination clinic has increased capacity to offer an additional 1,000 appointments each day.
There are also plans for a "doses after dark" initiative to offer evening appointments at the Pine Bush clinic.
Regional officials tweeted about a pop-up clinic at 99 Regina St. scheduled for this week. The hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. As of Friday afternoon, appointments were still available. More pop-up clinics are expected in the region in the coming weeks.
Anyone who has booked a new second dose appointment should cancel any other appointments to ensure all doses are administered as quickly as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.