Content of the article
Some infectious disease experts are calling the rise in virus transmission rates a “summer wave,” but in Grey-Bruce the waters remain calm.
Advertisement 2
This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
Experts now often use sewage data to determine transmission trends in Ontario, as testing for COVID-19, while consistent among those eligible, is no longer done widely enough to paint a detailed picture. Wastewater data in Ontario is incomplete. People living in rural areas often do not feed into the dataset. However, the numbers show a clear increase in June in all areas tested. The results may not be surprising given the current context. Mobility data from the Ontario Science Board shows that Ontarians are heading to their workplaces, retail stores, leisure outings and public transportation at nearly twice the rate of many places over the past two years. Meanwhile, COVID-19 prevention measures such as mask mandates and capacity restrictions no longer apply in most settings. In Grey-Bruce, however, increased mobility and a lack of widespread precautions to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 have yet to show up in rising data indicators. Dr. Ian Arra, a physician at Grey-Bruce’s Health, said none of the cases, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions are increasing in the region. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in any long-term care, nursing homes or hospitals in the area – although there are two suspected cases. There hasn’t been an early death from the outbreak in several months at Grey-Bruce, Arra said.
Advertising 3
This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
“We haven’t seen it here yet — if it’s going to happen,” Arra said of the reported summer surge. “I don’t believe this is going to be a changing trend.” In Grey-Bruce, just under 75 percent of the area’s population is vaccinated with two doses. The number is among the lowest in the province. More than 50 percent of the region’s population has received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, which are near the middle of the pack in Ontario. According to data from the Ontario Science Table dashboard, which shows cases and hospitalizations per 1 million people per day, those who remain unvaccinated are estimated to be nearly twice as likely to test positive for the virus, more than five times as likely to be hospitalized. with COVID-19 and four times more likely to be admitted to the ICU. Arra said there are several factors for those who choose to remain unvaccinated. He mentioned personal and individual belief systems and their relative or perceived security in Grey-Bruce. “People in other parts of the province have seen deaths by the dozens in long-term care cases,” Arra said. “People who are on the fence may feel there is no added benefit, obviously there is an added benefit. . . the data is very clear about protection.” He said the difference in vaccine uptake between health units is not statistically significant. “It’s trivial,” he said. “It’s not going to change the result on the ground.” He also said that the Omicron variant is so contagious that it is possible that a large percentage of the population has some immunity either through vaccinations or prior infection.
Advertising 4
This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
Arra said there is likely to be another spike in COVID-19 cases and transmission in the fall, as is typical with viruses. Recently, federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos said booster shots may be necessary every nine months to stay up-to-date and effectively vaccinated. Currently, in Ontario, only those 60 years of age or older, residents of First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities age 18 or older, those living in long-term care homes, nursing homes and congregants, and certain immunocompromised people are eligible for the next round of boosters. Arra said he didn’t think repeated COVID-19 booster shots would be needed in perpetuity. He said there are currently two schools of thought among experts, and he believes the COVID-19 virus will eventually mutate to the point where its effect on the population is no longer severe enough to require vaccines for protection. “Hopefully in the near future, not many years, that will happen,” he said.
Share this article on your social network
Advertisement 1
This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourages all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask that you keep your comments relevant and respectful. We’ve enabled email notifications—you’ll now receive an email if you get a reply to your comment, there’s an update on a comment thread you’re following, or if someone follows the comments. Visit the Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
