Life seems almost back to normal but it’s not quite – Covid is still with us. At a media briefing today, Dr. Natalie Bocking of the HKPR Health Unit provided an update. We are now in a seventh wave or a third Omicron wave – caused by the BA-5 variant. As usually the case with new variants, it’s more infectious and more easily transmissible but does not cause worse symptoms. Cases in our area are not (yet) at previous levels but we need to be cautious – especially if susceptible such as older or with an immune condition. Dr. Bocking recommends vaccination protection, staying home if sick (at all), avoiding large indoor gatherings and use rapid testing to check. However, the Province is not expected to re-impose any limits.
Booster Vaccinations
So far not all those eligible have had a second booster – only 59% – and today, the Province announced eligibility will be extended to anyone over the age of 18 who received the first booster 5 months ago (or more). Dr. Bocking said that although infections are still possible, vaccines prevent serious illness and help prevent “long-covid”.
Vaccines will be available at Pharmacies, Health centres, Go-Vax buses (locations here) and at the Health Unit in Port Hope (by appointment – soon to be available at the Provincial Health system)
Indicators of the disease are:
- Number of Outbreaks – currently 4 – there were 23 at the peak. List here.
- Sewage testing in Cobourg and Lindsay – currently much lower than at peak. Report here.
Vaccines for children 5 and under are expected to be approved in Canada within the next week – vaccine supplies could take a month after that.
In summary (my words):
- It’s still with us
- Wear a mask at indoor events away from home
- Get vaccinated – including second booster
- If sick, stay home and get tested with a rapid test.
Hopefully Covid-19 will become just like flu – not good but possible to live with it!
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It’s a shame Dr. Bocking, her health unit and the Ontario government see no need to give 5th doses to our most vulnerable residents in nursing care and retirement homes who are now 6 months past their 4th doses, and without any immunity as a result. There is already another outbreak at the Legion. How many times must seniors endure illness, hospitalisation and death before the health unit smartens up and does their job? Doug Ford has indeed put an iron ring around our seniors…. around their necks. Do something Dr. Bocking. How can seniors stay safe in congregate settings when you refuse them boosters and compromise their fragile health?
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/covid-outbreaks-more-than-doubled-in-ontario-ltc-homes-since-last-weekly-report-1.5989314
But when most of the residents in LTC are not even out in the public to get sick, then who is bringing it in to them??? The health professionals can only advise everyone what to do, it’s the people that won’t get a vaccine or wear masks and think they’re invincible that make me sick!!!
I have a Mother in LTC who got COVID in March this year. (She got through it, but was exhausted for two weeks.) By all accounts, COVID was brought into the care home by unvaccinated PSWs. The PSWs, like nurses and other health care professionals, are undervalued by our provincial government. The PSW’s often have to work in more than one care home to earn a living wage and COVID is spread that way. Of course, if they are not fully vaccinated that makes the spread of COVID even more likely.
I am familiar with a case in a local LTC Home where the resident had had both shots and a booster and still registered positive on a Covid test and then confirmed by a 2nd, different test, but showed no symptoms.
It was never determined how or where the infection got into the home.
It appears that common sense has not be doled-out equitably. Johns summary is all that needs to be heeded to minimize (not guaranteed as some would have it) the impacts to self, family, community and health care services. 40000+ (including 13000+ Ontarians) dead Canadian citizens is enough to convince me that I need to do something different; putting my faith in conspiracies, in unsubstantiated science, in religious fervor and in celebrities is not what I’d call a good survival move.
I just had an ultrasound appointment cancelled this morning that I’ve had for the last 4 months. Two of the technicians have Covid today. Covid will always be with us in some form or another. I wear my mask still when I go to the grocery store, Walmart etc. I wash my vegetables, tomatoes, grapes etc. because someone might have touched them. Knock on wood, I have not gotten sick and hopefully by following health professionals great advice I will continue to stay that way. The people that refuse to even get one vaccine are hurting not only themselves but me too.
The cancellation of a needed procedure is very disappointing and has as much to do with staff attrition bc of questionable vaccination mandates, poor management, funding and a significant labour crisis that is facing EVERY sector in Ontario – much of which was avoidable.
Also, you don’t need to wash your fruits & veggies because of Covid but it is a good practice nonetheless for reasons not named Covid.
Stay healthy and you should aggressively advocate for a new appointment immediately….our Provincial Sick Care is not good at advocating on your behalf.
I don’t just wash my fruits and vegetables because of Covid, it’s something I’ve always done. They’re handled many times before I get them.
Anyone that doesnt realize that the whole covid hysteria is a cover to usher in more government control similar to what happened after 9/11 and to move society into a “green” society whereby we eat crickets and soy all day, needs to give their head a shake and wake up. These injections wont ever end – Remember when the experts said 2 weeks to flatten the curve? Then we had masks. Then injections. Any dissenting opinion and protest was discounted and shutdown including freezing of bank accounts. I am unvaccinated and have had covid twice. Nothing to be scared of. Turn off the tv and pick up a book. The government does not work in your best interest. They only work to maintain and increase their power. The history of societies and what made them fall speaks for itself. We are marching in the wrong direction. Wake up folks!!!
Are you a relative of Donald Trump???
Lol. No. But, Good use of the Ad Hominem logical fallacy. You should really look up what that means to sound more intelligent.
Very sad to read a response like this. Good signs of intelligence – good use of vocabulary – but delusional thoughts.
You might need to change the tin foil on your hat.
Stop licking Lysol wipes
After 2.5 years, most Canadians understand that COVID is with us forever. At this point recommendations about masks and staying away from crowded indoor spaces are pretty unhelpful given this reality – there will never be public appetite for forever restrictions and we need to move on. Hectoring bromides such as “the virus is not done with us” from public health professionals are unnecessarily cynical and further undermine trust in their recommendations.
Seems obvious to me that “the virus is not done with us” is true. Deal with it.
But we are all done with the unnecessary fear narrative which phrases like “the virus is not done with us” are designed to create – “Be afraid, be very afraid” The Fly. “Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water” Jaws 2. “They’re coming to get you, Barbara.” Night Of The Living Dead.
Enough of the drama.
We should be far more concerned about the fiscal condition of our Country and our Federal Governments ineptitude in managing the short crisis and long effects – this is going to make Covid look like a runny nose.
Yet NHH drops most visitor restrictions( see Todays Northumberland post July 12)……
NHH is still requiring everyone to wear a mask in the hospital.
And Golden Plough Lodge requires a mask at all times AND a Rapid Antigen Test for every visitor.