Highly transmissible delta variant is responsible for year-over-year increase in new COVID-19 cases in Peterborough

A combination of the highly transmissible delta variant and unvaccinated people is causing a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases compared to the same time last year, according to Peterborough Public Health.

During a press briefing organized by the health unit on Thursday, October 21, Donna Churipuy, director of public health programs and COVID response incident commander, revealed that the number of new cases reported in September and October at this time. day is significantly higher than during the same two months of 2020, at the start of the second wave.

In those two months last fall, when vaccines were not yet available, 43 new cases were confirmed locally – far fewer than the 199 new cases reported last month and so far in October.

Advertisement – story continues below

While this comparison is daunting at first glance, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr Ian Gemmill said there was a simple reason: the emergence and continued presence of the highly contagious delta variant and the number of people unvaccinated.

“Although the vaccines have been very helpful, there are still 10, 15, 20% of eligible people (for vaccination) who have not been vaccinated,” he said. “There are still the 9,000 children under 12. This represents 13% of the population. We still have a lot of susceptible there, and this virus will go where there are susceptible. “

With around 5,000 local residents eligible for a vaccine not yet having started the vaccination process, Dr Gemmill said he was disappointed, adding that “it is almost a duty” to get vaccinated.

“There are many interventions to try to get this (vaccination) rate as high as possible. It is not mandatory. No one should get the vaccine, but maybe when people see that their activities are severely restricted, it can give them the impetus to get the vaccine. “

Despite the number of local residents who are not yet immunized, vaccination rates in the Peterborough area continue to rise slowly but steadily.

As of late Wednesday afternoon (October 20), 86.1 percent of eligible residents aged 12 and older received one dose while 82.3 percent received two doses – slightly below the provincial rate complete immunization of 83 percent of all eligible Ontarians.

In the 12 to 17 age group, 85.3 percent received a dose, while 78 percent are now fully immunized, which is higher than the provincial full vaccination rate of 76.6 percent for that. age group.

Advertisement – story continues below

Coming soon, pending Health Canada approval, vaccination of children aged 5 to 11. Churipuy said Peterborough Public Health is working on a vaccination plan for this age group so that it is underway when word is received to continue. She said the plan includes clinics in primary schools and a return to a reservation system for vaccinations.

“This allows us to schedule longer meeting times for the children and their parents… we are planning a child-friendly experience,” Churipuy said.

“It will be a pediatric dose. Staff will need to be trained and we will need the most recent information for parents so they can discuss the vaccine with their children. “

Despite the revelation that year-over-year numbers show more new cases now compared to last year, the current state of the pandemic is encouraging.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, there were 18 active cases in the region with 132 close contacts of cases being monitored. Both of these figures are down substantially from the last briefing two weeks ago. In addition, there are no ongoing outbreaks.

As of Monday this week, seven new local cases have been detected, an encouraging downward trend from the 26 new cases reported the week of October 4 and 18 new confirmed cases the week of October 11. Still, Dr Gemmill warns that now is not the time. for complacency.

“The problem with this virus is that it can turn on quickly and make things dramatically worse,” said Dr. Gemmill, noting the dramatic rise in new cases in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.

“I think the people of Saskatchewan were very surprised. They thought they were out of it and stopped using their masks. The next thing you know is people are transferred to intensive care units in Ontario.

“It (COVID-19) will continue to show up everywhere until we have full control,” he added. “We are much better than we were at this time last year. We have excellent vaccine compliance. We have policies in place that protect people, but this thing will show up wherever we let our guard down. I look forward to the day when we can say ‘It’s over, take off your masks’ – but that day has not yet arrived. “

Advertisement – story continues below

Thursday’s call also included Julie Ingram, manager of environmental health for Peterborough Public Health. She spoke about raising awareness and enforcing regulations regarding mandatory verification of vaccination proofs by businesses, especially restaurants.

“Last week our inspectors were in 26 food establishments with respect to evidence of vaccine inquiries and complaints received and about 50 percent were in full compliance with the requirement,” she said.

“While I’d like to see that number increase, we’ll get there, especially with the deployment of the app that businesses can use. It will make it easier for them. “

To date, only one business in Peterborough – Peterburgers on George Street North – has been accused of failing to comply with proof of vaccination checks. When asked if the owners are now complying, Ingram would only respond that the investigation “continues.”

“If further enforcement action is taken, whether it be additional burdens or additional orders on the business, it will be disclosed.”

“We have a variety of (investigative) techniques that we use,” Ingram explained. “We use secret dinners. We look at social networks. We do the monitoring. Any of these could be used in an investigation.

Given that this was the last media briefing before Halloween, Dr Gemmill offered advice for kids who will be pulling out candy or treats and those who are handing out candy.

This includes children wearing face masks under costumes and, for those answering the door, washing their hands regularly before handing out packaged treats.

Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien and President of the Board of Health and Mayor of Selwyn Andy Mitchell were also in attendance at Thursday’s press conference.