It’s an especially important message in Hamilton where booster recruitment has been sluggish. “The third dose of vaccine is critical to protect against serious illness,” said an advisory Wednesday from the Ontario COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Panel. His message to the public provides a guide to what Ontarians need to know about the seventh wave of COVID. Has a new wave started? The scientific panel announced a possible new wave on Wednesday. On the same day, Hamilton Public Health reported that transmission of COVID increased for the first time since April. Both are considering a range of measures, including increasing sewage samples with detection of COVID-19. The number of tests that came back positive is above 10 percent provincially for the first time since May. For Hamilton, it averaged almost nine percent on June 30 from 6 percent on June 16. About 80 percent of public health units are experiencing an exponential increase in cases. In Hamilton, the daily average of new cases reached 62 on July 3 from 25 on June 6. Outbreaks are a significant understatement. What drives the wave? Omicron’s highly contagious sub-variants, particularly the BA.5, are fueling the summer wave. “You can be re-infected with BA.5 even if you have recently been infected with an older strain,” the science board said. However, it does not cause more serious illness. “Current evidence does not suggest that BA.5 is more severe or will lead to an increase in hospitalizations as large as previous waves,” the scientific panel says. What if I get infected? “Infections can leave you feeling unwell and disrupt your family and work life,” the science board said. “Every infection puts you at risk for long-term COVID.” Although the risk of serious illness is not higher with BA.5, it is also not zero. The scientific panel reported the first increase in hospitalizations with COVID-19 since May. “If BA.5 spreads widely, we may see an increase in deaths among the highest risk groups,” the scientific panel says. What about the health system? “Hospitals are already overstretched,” the panel warned. “Any increase comes at a time when hospitals are already facing staff shortages and record waiting times – this affects us all.” Hamilton hospitals had 700 unfilled jobs since May and 292 people were in isolation as of Wednesday. In addition, overcrowding on wards and high numbers of patients attending emergency departments resulted in ambulances waiting hours to unload patients, sparking a spike in ‘Code Zero’ events in June. Code zero is when one or no ambulances are available to respond to emergencies. Hamilton hospitals also have pandemic backlogs they are trying to clear, including nearly 15,000 surgeries since March. At the same time, patients with COVID are still being accepted. “Hospitalizations remain higher than at any time last summer,” the scientific panel says. Do I need to wear a mask? “Returning to mask use in crowded indoor public spaces is a good way to protect yourself until the wave is over,” the scientific panel said. Hamilton Public Health also “strongly recommends wearing a mask that fits indoors, especially when it’s crowded.” The scientific panel suggested a high quality surgical mask, KN95 or N95. “Ventilate as much as possible by opening windows and doors,” said the science board. “Choose lower-risk alternatives — for example, enjoy the great weather by gathering with friends outdoors instead of indoors.” You can still enjoy summer by reducing your risk of contracting COVID, the science panel urged. “Unfortunately, a recent infection may not protect you very well from re-infection with BA.5,” he said. “So as we enter a new wave, it’s worth reiterating many layers of protection to reduce risk.” Does a booster make a difference? “Make sure your vaccines are up to date,” the science board said. “It provides significant additional protection against serious disease.” Hamilton’s data shows the amazing difference the COVID shots are making. The unvaccinated have a hospitalization rate of 434.1 per 100,000 population compared to 75.8 for those with three vaccines. The risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit is 12 times greater for the unvaccinated than the boosted. But coverage remains low, with less than 50 per cent of Hamiltonians aged 18 to 39 boosted. Coverage for children is even worse, with only 17 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds getting three shots. “New vaccines targeting emerging variants could be available this fall, but as a wave begins, it makes sense to get your eligible vaccines for now,” the scientific panel says. “If you are 60 or older, or immunocompromised and have not received your 4th dose, now is the time.” SHARE:
