Covid 19 Peterborough Moh Says Case Trajectory Deeply Concerning Considers New Mask Mandate Peterborough

On Wednesday afternoon, Peterborough’s Health Minister for Public Health, Dr. Thomas Piggott, gave a briefing on the pandemic, saying he was concerned about COVID-19 transmission rates in the area. He said monitoring of sewage from Peterborough, Lakefield and Millbrook over the past seven days showed that transmission rates were higher than the peak levels reached in January in the middle of the Omicron variant.

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He also noted concerns from the healthcare system about the increase in hospitalized cases and illnesses in staff. The Peterborough Regional Health Center reported 24 inpatients with COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon – from 22 on Tuesday and 16 on Friday. The story goes on under the ad “We are in a worrying phase. “None of us want to be here, but I do not know what the next two weeks will bring,” Pigott said. “But the trajectory we are on is deeply worrying.” The health unit’s risk index on Wednesday puts the area at “high risk” again with the incidence rate and PCR test scores “very high”. With several celebrations this month (Easter, Ramadan, Easter), Piggott has encouraged continued use of face masks, taking all eligible doses of vaccines, using fast antigen tests, concentrating outdoors and physical distance – especially if you see people at higher risk for COVID-19 such as the elderly, immunosuppressed or unvaccinated. Peterborough Public Health Risk Index Remains “High” as of April 6, 2022. Peterborough Public Health “It’s very important to think about the other people you see and the other activities you do,” he said. “Because your decisions and activities could put others at risk. Even if you have no symptoms, you could spread the infection. “Fast antigen tests and staying home if you are sick continue to be extremely important so that we can diagnose and stop the spread of this infection.” The story goes on under the ad Piggott also noted for those eligible to try Pfizer Paxlovid COVID-19. Assessments for adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 are performed at the PRHC to determine if a person is eligible. The drug can be prescribed only within the first five days after the onset of symptoms of COVID-19. Piggott “strongly recommends” that people wear face masks and says it remains an effective tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Trending Stories

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Asked if he would consider implementing a local mandate wearing a mask, Pigot said he would prefer to see the county repeat legislation similar to that provided for the Ontario Opener Act. The law replaced any legislation originally enacted by health units in the early stages of the pandemic, such as the provisions of Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. “Right now, what we are trying to do is suggest that people put on their masks again,” he said. “But ideally this kind of issue is resolved through provincial law – not local Department 22 orders in response.” The story goes on under the ad

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On Tuesday, Health Minister Christine Eliot did not need to re-impose an extended mask order despite provincial data showing increased COVID-19 prevalence Piggott says mask command is not the best tool because of significant enforcement challenges and inconsistencies if neighboring health units do not comply with the command. “Still, it’s something I’m looking at,” he said. “But it comes with significant challenges and implications. It’s something we are looking at and will look at. “But at this stage, it is not ideal. But I hope with the rotating framework, there will be a provincial examination of the precautions required in the context of the mitigation of the sixth wave “. Pigott also said he was “quite concerned” about the “significant transmission” to school facilities within the Peterborough Health Unit, Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. The story goes on under the ad He said a “significant” number of students are missing from school because of COVID-19. Since last week alone, he noted that seven schools have exceeded absenteeism limits in a “worrying way”. In January, the county said schools had to report absenteeism of more than 30 percent to public health facilities, something Pigott acknowledged was the situation locally. Piggott noted that letters were sent to families in two schools recommending that any student or staff not fully vaccinated stay home for a period of five days. Pigott did not identify schools. “This is also done to protect against later transmission – because people who are fully vaccinated will have a lower risk of transmission. “It’s also to protect them – to protect the student who has not yet had the opportunity to get the vaccine and is not protecting himself.” According to the provincial database, the following schools under the jurisdiction of the health unit as of Tuesday, April 5 reported more than 30 percent absences between students and staff:

Kawartha Heights Public School in Peterborough: 43.2 percent Queen Elizabeth Public School in Peterborough: 41.5 percent Hastings Public School in Hastings: 30.5 percent

Other schools reported absences between 20 and 30 percent on Tuesday:

Chemong Public School in Bridgenorth 21.2 percent Hillcrest Public School in Campbell: 21.8 percent Northshore Public School in Keene: 26.6 percent Prince of Wales Public School in Peterborough: 23.1 percent Westmount Public School in Peterborough: 19.6 percent