Niagara leads U.S. neighbours in vaccinations; one new case Monday

With Niagara’s border bridges scheduled to open Aug. 9 to American travellers, here’s how vaccination rates in Niagara stack up with those of its American neighbours across the river.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said fully vaccinated Americans may be allowed to start crossing the border to Canada for non-essential travel by mid-august, if COVID-19 cases continue to decline.

However, he did not say whether Americans will be required to show proof of full vaccination before being allowed into Canada.

The Toronto Star reported Washington has ruled out the idea of an American vaccine passport.

Here in Niagara, 68.1 per cent of the total population has received at least one vaccine dose and 53.2 per cent are fully vaccinated.

In particular, the number who have received two doses has increased sharply in July, basically doubling over the past three weeks.

On the U.S. side, the number vaccinated is significantly lower among firstdose recipients.

In Erie County, which includes Buffalo, 59.8 per cent of all residents have received at least one dose and 55.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.

In Niagara County, which includes Niagara Falls, N.Y., 55.3 per cent of the entire population has received at least one vaccine.

That’s according to state data; second dose rates weren’t available for Niagara County.

One new COVID case reported Monday

For the third time in a week, Niagara reported just one new case of COVID-19 on Monday.

The region averaged about three new daily cases over the past seven days.

There are 52 active cases and one outbreak across Niagara.

As of Sunday night, Niagara Health had five COVID-19 patients in hospital, including one in intensive care.

Rules eased for emergency room, urgent-care visits

Anyone who goes to a Niagara hospital emergency room or urgent-care centre can now bring a support person with them, under expanded COVID-19 rules announced by Niagara Health.

Previously that was allowed only for exceptional reasons.

The support person still must pass a COVID-19 screening examination, wear a mask and practise physical distancing on site.

Public health calls for more vaccinations

Niagara Region Public Health continues to urge people to get vaccinated.

On Monday via Twitter, it said there are “lots of COVID-19 vaccination appointments available this week for first and second doses.”

It asked people who have a seconddose vaccination booked for later this summer to think about bumping up their appointments to get it done sooner.

A second jab can be given as soon as 28 days after the first.

That message was echoed on Twitter by Dr. Karim Ali, head of infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness lead at Niagara Health.

Urging people to get vaccinated, he said, “It’s a privilege to have access to highly effective vaccines.”

“Ask the more than 90 per cent of the world population that does not have it,” he added.

Vaccinations can be booked at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine.