As provincial COVID-19 infection numbers continue to show improvement, the number of new cases in the Peterborough region is heading in the opposite direction — and at the worst possible time with the Victoria Day long weekend almost here.
During a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Tuesday (May 18), medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said last week’s new case count of 91 — the second highest one-week total of the pandemic — included 40 new cases detected in people under age 29.
“We’ve examined the characteristics of our cases since April 1 and have found that the majority are among 20 to 29 year olds with indoor social gatherings and household spread playing a significant role in increasing the number of cases,” Dr. Salvaterra said.
“They don’t have sick pay so they tend to go to work when they’re not feeling well, and many of them live together — sharing bathrooms and kitchens — so they’re in close contact in close quarters,” Dr. Salvaterra said.
“It’s a good thing that vaccination opened up today (Tuesday) for everyone 18 years of age and over. We definitely need to target those 20 to 29 year olds, especially those who are sharing their accommodations with others, to bring our case numbers down.”
As of yesterday at 4:30 p.m., the number of active cases in Peterborough city and county and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations was reported as 103 — an increase of 14 since Friday. Meanwhile, the number of close contacts of positive cases being monitored by public health staff has also risen, now at 315, up 30 since late last week. There are currently four active outbreaks.
“We aren’t near to being a hotspot but we are near to being overwhelmed and that’s not good,” said Dr. Salvaterra.
“If you overwhelm public health and we aren’t able to get to the cases within 24 hours and we’re not able to isolate their close contacts right away, we will have more spread. We need to protect our public health capacity so we are able to respond same day to our cases.”
Dr. Salvaterra also reported another COVID-related death — the 18th death in the Peterborough region since the pandemic began. Similar to the three most recent previous deaths, the person who died had received their first dose of vaccine. However, Dr. Salvaterra noted the person had underlying health conditions who was exposed to the virus via a close contact.
A good portion of Dr. Salvaterra’s remarks centred on the pending Victoria Day long weekend and the challenge that will present during a time when local infection numbers are on the rise.
“I’m very concerned about what appears to be a growing trend in socialization that will lead to even more cases,” said Dr. Salvaterra.
“Trailer parks and campgrounds are off limits. If you’re travelling to a secondary residence for essential maintenance, you must go alone and the trip should be less than 24 hours. This is not the season opener for the cottage. Longer stays at your seasonal residence are only permitted if you are relocating for the summer, and that should start with the first 14 days spent alone.”
“We’ve seen a spike in COVID-19 cases after every long weekend. Let’s make this a long weekend where we actually see cases go down instead of up.”
VIDEO: 2021 May Long Weekend
On the enforcement front, Peterborough County OPP Constable Joe Ayotte confirmed police will be extra watchful for illegal gatherings this coming weekend.
“We’ve created a detachment-level initiative in regards to Burleigh Falls,” Ayotte said, referring to the large gatherings there that were a significant issue last summer. “We will be beefing up patrols in that area. We’ve received complaints about camping on Crown land, so we’ve increased patrols of those areas.”
With some 7,000 doses of Pfizer arriving locally this week along with an increase in the regular Moderna allocation, Dr. Salvaterra said the goal remains to administer first doses to 65 per cent of local residents by May 31. That said, she urged those who are trying to book an appointment to be patient.
“Because of the size of the population that is now eligible, we can’t possibly meet that demand,” Dr. Salvaterra said. “We are loading up new appointments as we confirm the allocation of vaccine for clinics. We’re trying not to put up all the clinics at once, to give Peterborough residents more opportunity to find something closer to home.”
“They are free to travel to get the vaccine but, if they want to stay close to home, I advise there will be more appointments scheduled and posted. They will be able to book, but may be waiting a few weeks as we’re completely booked for the rest of the month and are now booking into June.”
Area residents are directed to phone the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900 to book their COVID vaccination appointments when they are in the age group that has become eligible. The line is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week. Eligible residents can also book their appointments online by visiting ontario.ca/bookvaccine.
In addition, eligible residents who are waiting for their first dose of vaccine can apply to be on a vaccine standby list. Residents who sign up may be called if doses are leftover at the end of a mass vaccination clinic run by Peterborough Public Health.
The purpose of the standby list is to avoid wasting vaccine doses. This list fills and then closes temporarily, reopening as additional applicants are needed. Residents are encouraged to check the standby application list at the Peterborough Public Health website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca regularly for openings.
Also commenting during Tuesday’s briefing were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and Peterborough board of health chair and Selwyn mayor Andy Mitchell.
