Summer depends on following rules: MOH
Region’s COVID-19 indicators no longer improving, last few days have seen a growing number of cases
WATERLOO REGION — This summer could be pleasant for Waterloo Region, but only if people stick with the rules to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“We do have a good chance at better days ahead and we can get there, we just have to keep up with those very strict measures for the next few months,” medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said during Friday’s briefing.
Wang said widespread immunization is the fastest way for the region to return to normal, and it’s hoped by late summer there will be enough vaccine arriving to offer it to the general public. Until then, the broad restrictions will continue.
“We have to keep on the marathon, so to speak, for a while longer. And that’s going to give us the best chances of having a better summer,” Wang said.
Currently, the region’s indicators are no longer improving and the last few days have seen a growing number of cases.
“I am concerned about the possibility that our cases rates may be starting to move in the wrong direction,” Wang said.
The weekly incidence rate is at around 50 to 55 cases per 100,000, slightly up from 45 to 50 last week. Outbreaks have decreased, but the number of settings being monitored for outbreaks has increased.
“I am becoming concerned. We will have to watch our indicators closely,” Wang said.
What drove the pandemic’s second wave and could start a third wave — bringing with it a return to tighter restrictions — is social gatherings. And those are on the rise in the region.
“We are hearing through case and contact management that people are increasing social contacts again and gathering with more people outside of their households. I know it’s been a long road and I know it’s been hard to not be with family friends, but we are in an extremely precarious time,” Wang said.
She said it seems people are keeping gatherings relatively small by limiting them to family and close friends, but it’s too soon even for that.
“People are trying to gather not too much. That is appreciated. But unfortunately, they’re also gathering more than what’s recommended at this time,” Wang said.
She said people still have to behave as if the stay-at-home order is still in effect because that remains the provincial recommendation, even though there has been a lifting of restrictions in certain areas with the return to the colour-coded COVID-19 response framework.
“Under the stay-at-home order, we had to avoid gatherings with anyone outside of our household and we had to try and go out only for essential reasons,” Wang said.
Another 71 COVID-19 cases were added in the Friday update by public health, pushing the total to 10,608.
One more death was reported to reach a total of 224. The latest death was a man in his 50s.
Hospitalizations decreased by three to 39, including five people requiring intensive care.
Active cases increased by 39 to 396. Outbreaks increased by one to 22.
A total of 371,652 tests have been done.
Vaccinations
The region is administering the
COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as it can, but Waterloo Regional Police Deputy Chief Shirley Hilton, who is heading the region’s vaccine distribution task force, said she understands people are frustrated and tired.
“I know the vaccine seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel and we know our supply doesn’t meet the demand right now and that’s why we have the prioritization,” Hilton said.
She asks for people to be patient, even if it seems the rollout is moving slowly.
“I understand it’s frustrating. We hear often how people are very anxious and don’t want to miss an opportunity to be vaccinated,” Hilton said. “They will get an opportunity to receive the vaccine. It might not feel like it’s soon enough for them. We are following the provincial framework.”
Hilton said the task force will continue to communicate to make sure everyone is up to date “on where we are and where we’re going.”
The region launched its vaccine registration system late Wednesday for high-priority groups eligible in the first phase, and by Friday morning more than 10,400 eligible people signed up.
Of those, 7,000 are in the over-80 age group recently moved up to the first phase in the province’s rollout plan.
The majority of people registered (85 per cent) said they could be available on short notice to get a vaccine if a spot opened.
“Residents of the community will be directed to the most appropriate and accessible clinic using a regional booking system through which they can preregister according to the eligibility of the vaccine,” Hilton said.
On Thursday, the region put out a call for volunteers to help at the vaccination clinics in non-medical roles and 250 applications had come in by Friday morning.
Variants
All positive COVID-19 cases in the province are now being screened for variants.
Wang said there have been outbreaks connected to variants, but that’s not unexpected because outbreaks reflect what’s happening in the community.
“When there are more cases, there are more outbreaks. As more variant cases are identified, outbreaks connected to variants will become more common,” she said.
Locally, all cases are being treated as though it may be a variant and there’s enhanced case and contact management. Wang said the best protection against variants of concern, which spread more easily, is to avoid close contact outside household members.
“I appreciate that people are feeling concerned about variant cases. Public-health measures work against variants of concern, but we have to be more vigilant than ever before.”