Vaccines best defence against Delta resurgence as Waterloo Region reopens: Dr. Wang
Waterloo Region's medical officer of health says COVID-19 vaccines remain the best defence against resurgence of the Delta variant as the economy reopens.
The region joined Ontario with a move into Step 3 last Friday. Step 2 was delayed in the area due to wide community spread of the Delta variant earlier this summer.
"The risk of Delta will increase as we reopen our economy and society," Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said at the region's COVID-19 update on Friday. "Therefore, we need to protect ourselves. Residents should not delay getting their first or second doses."
She encouraged people to continue following all public health measures, avoid crowded indoor spaces, gather outdoors whenever possible and wear a mask if physical distancing isn't possible.
"The Delta variant continues to be the predominant strain in Waterloo Region and is estimated to have accounted for 97 per cent of cases in the previous two weeks," Dr. Wang said.
Trends in the community have improved in recent weeks. The weekly incidence rate is now down to 25 cases per 100,000 people, according to Dr. Wang.
Dr. Wang added the majority of new cases continue to be in people who aren't vaccinated, or anyone who has only received one dose.
"Fully vaccinated people are the most protected possible against infection and, in particular, severe illness that can lead to hospitalization or even death," she said.
She said there is a possibility of breakthrough cases in people who are fully vaccinated, but they are less likely to have severe symptoms or to spread the disease to others.
"The more there's spread of the virus, the more everyone is at increased risk, because there's more exposure to the virus," Dr. Wang said. "But, those who are vaccinated, especially those that are fully vaccinated, are the most protected."
The region continues to have some of the highest first-dose coverage in Ontario, but Dr. Wang reminded residents that it's too soon to relax restrictions completely.
"We may feel done with the pandemic, but the pandemic is not done with us," she said.
CONTINUED PUSH FOR ACCELERATED SECOND DOSES
Regional officials continue to encourage people get their second vaccine dose as soon as they are eligible to do so. The interval between mRNA vaccines is 28 days, and people can get a second shot eight weeks after receiving AstraZeneca.
All regional clinics are offering walk-ins for first and second doses, and all other appointments will be honoured.
"I encourage every resident who has an appointment in August, September or October to book an earlier appointment or pop into one of the clinics," said Dept. Chief Shirley Hilton, who is leading the region's vaccine rollout.
The region launched a new mobile vaccine bus this week, which is aimed at making doses more accessible to people who may not be able to get to a clinic, pharmacy or primary care facility.
Hilton said the vaccine task force is beginning to look at ramping down some of its mass vaccine clinics as more and more residents receive both first and second doses. She said they will continue to offer mobile and other vaccine options into the future.
'NOT THE TIME TO BE PICKY'
Hilton said supply is no longer an issue in the region. However, she did address hesitancy over the Moderna vaccine in Friday's update. Thousands of doses at local pharmacies might expire soon. After thawed, Moderna doses have a shelf-life of 30 days.
The region's supply is stored in freezers and not at-risk. Hilton said pharmacies are sending refrigerated doses to regional clinics ahead of their expiration date so they don't get wasted.
"The best vaccine is the one that's being offered to you," Hilton said. "Now is not the time to be picky about which vaccine you get. It's about being protected."
ENFORCEMENT UPDATE
Officials reported one enforcement action at this week's COVID-19 update. Regional bylaw officers issued one ticket to a business for failing to comply with the face covering bylaw. That ticket was worth $240.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.