Here are four details from that meeting: IT’S NOT SO SIMPLE TO MARK OMICRON AS A COLD OR FLU: “I think it is very important for people to understand that COVID-19 is not a mild illness. This is not cold yet. “This is still not the flu,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, a PPH doctor. “The severity is much worse and the concern is also about the long-term effects of the infection on humans.” He said the impact of long-term COVID could be debilitating and devastating for some. “Just this morning I was talking to a healthcare provider in our area who was out of work for a long time and could not provide care; they themselves had COVID for a long time and he was someone otherwise healthy and young, he was significantly weakened by this disease. “ WASTEWATER INDICATORS MEAN HIGH COVID-19 NUMBERS IN THE AREA: Piggott said that in addition to the significant rates of transmission to the community shared through local reports, sewage data also show that we have outgrown it. “It has not yet pushed us to a ‘very high’ overall risk rating, but we are close and I am very worried if the trend we observe continues. “We have seen a deterioration in several of our indicators, including deaths last week.” He told Peterborough, sewage indicators indicate that the local COVID rate has surpassed the Omicron peak in January in the monitoring of Peterborough wastewater being monitored. “We are seeing a very significant increase in Lakefield sampling, and it has also peaked at Millbrook.” WHAT TO SAY TO THOSE WHO SAY VACCINES AND AIDS DO NOT STOP SPREAD: Piggott says vaccines, and especially booster, reduce the risk of spreading the virus and reduce the risk of spreading it. “When we looked at the data, they are useful and protective, especially for people who are at risk for more serious illness. But to all, it is still protective against hospitalization, ICU admission and death. And so, the booster dose is really critical protection. We were able to follow the science, that’s why the recommendation for the third installment has been abolished “. Some sections of the population – those in the higher risk group – are now eligible for a fourth dose. “It simply came to our notice then. “I’m very worried about people who have taken one or two doses, that their protection is lagging behind.” DANGEROUS DATA, WHY HEALTH UNITS DO NOT PREVENT ORDER LIFTING: There is a precedent where some health unit districts have exceeded provincial requirements, but there is much to be taken into account. The law that allows this is valid, but he said it is not the best tool due to significant challenges with enforcement and inconsistency from unit to unit. “If not everyone is in line with it, it’s not the best tool, so the province has intervened with provincial law through the Ontario Opener Act.” But if it gets to a point, health units will take action, he added. “It is something we are considering and would consider, but at this stage it is not ideal and I hope with the evolving framework there will be a potential provincial examination of the precautions required in the context of the sixth wave mitigation.” SHARE:
