At the risk of sounding like a bar owner settling a patron dispute, Peterborough’s medical officer of health is urging residents to “take it outside” this long weekend.
During a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Friday (May 21), Dr. Rosana Salvaterra spoke to a number of new pandemic-related developments, including the restart of the AstraZeneca vaccine roll-out and a provincial directive that long-term and retirement homes can welcome general visitors effective Saturday (May 22).
However, her message concerning long weekend socialization was emphasized by her and other municipal leaders in attendance.
“I really can’t emphasize enough that we cannot be socializing indoors,” said Dr. Salvaterra, acknowledging that a spike in new cases has been typically seen following long weekends. “When outdoors, avoid crowds and covered areas where ventilation is compromised. Avoid areas where loud music makes it necessary to project your voice and your droplets.”
“Eating and drinking (with others) are risky behaviours. Reduce the risk by maintaining your distance and not sharing food, beverages or containers with people outside of your household. And if you need to drive somewhere to exercise, to play golf or some tennis, don’t carpool.”
Even sitting closely with others in a boat can increase the risk of infection, she added.
“We’ve had local cases that have arisen from people boating together. If you’re tempted to take out your boat or canoe this weekend, the provincial regulations prohibit non-household members from sharing a watercraft for recreational purposes.”
Dr. Salvaterra said avoiding the ‘three Cs’ — crowded spaces, covered or closed spaces, and close contact — will give the region the best chance of coming through the long weekend with a minimal number of new cases.
During the course of the briefing, Dr. Salvaterra received word that province is allowing long-term and retirement homes not in outbreak to have “general visitors” effective Saturday (May 22).
“All of those facilities are being asked today to put into place the procedures they will need to do active screening. Rapid testing will not be required for visitors but the hope is these visits can happen outdoors.”
As for the resumed rollout of AstraZeneca, Dr. Salvaterra noted, as per provincial public health guidance, those who received their first dose of the vaccine March 10 to 19 are eligible to receive their second dose next week.
“Informed consent will be required, but choosing to go ahead with a second dose of AstraZeneca is safe and it does provide strong protection,” said Dr. Salvaterra.
“If you are one of those (eligible) people and you would like to get your second dose before May 31, call your (health care) provider next week and let him or her know. We will have some AstraZeneca vaccine here next week but it’s first come, first served.”
“For everyone else who received AstraZeneca, there will be another announcement about your options for a second dose. That should happen before the end of the month.”
As of Thursday at 4:30 p.m., the number of active cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake, and Hiawatha was reported as 109 — an increase of six since Tuesday. Meanwhile, the number of close contacts of positive cases being monitored by public health staff has risen dramatically and is now at 374, up 59 over the last three days. There are currently five active outbreaks.
While the province continues to see a gradual downward trend in the number of new cases, the Peterborough region is one of a handful that isn’t experiencing that and, in fact, is seeing an increase.
Socialization, says Dr. Salvaterra, continues to be the culprit.
“We do have cases who reported visits on Mother’s Day, for example, from family members who went on to become cases. Most transmission occurs before people even know they’re infected or feel ill. We also have a large number of our cases being infected because of their household members becomes a case. The vast majority of our cases are close contacts sharing accommodations.”
On the vaccination front, Dr. Salvaterra reported this week’s influx of Pfizer vaccine has resulted in more vaccinations, noting the Evinrude Centre clinic is now vaccinating in excess of 800 people daily, while PRHC is immunizing the highest-risk health care workers — “They had more than 4,000 appointments and they’re gone.”
“I wish we had more vaccine,” she said. “We’re getting more, but the reality is there’s still a wait. I am aware that people are frustrated waiting for appointments to open up. We have been mandated by the province to run family clinics in mid June for youths aged 12 to 17 and their parents. That might result in a little longer wait for others. I again ask for patience.”
As of late Thursday afternoon, 69,989 doses had been administered in the Peterborough region, just more than 64,000 of those to residents, while 4,852 people have received two doses and are considered fully vaccinated. Over 52 per cent of local residents have received their first dose.
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 Friday’s briefing were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and Peterborough board of health chair and Selwyn mayor Andy Mitchell.
