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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.