The first case of the highly transmissible Delta variant (B.1.617.2, first identified in India) of COVID-19 has been detected in Peterborough.
During a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Monday (June 14), medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra confirmed one person has been infected with the variant, resulting in three close contacts now being closely monitored.
All four of those affected have been self-isolating since Saturday.
“So far testing has shown it’s a household cluster — they all live together — but we are continuing to investigate,” said Dr. Salvaterra, adding “We need to be very sure we have this under control.”
According to Ontario’s science advisory table, the Delta variant is expected to become the dominant strain of the virus in Ontario this summer. It is around 50 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7, first detected in the UK), which was the variant driving the third wave of the pandemic in Ontario.
While a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is not as effective against the Delta variant as it is against the Alpha variant, vaccine effectiveness improves dramatically after a second dose.
“This serves as a good reminder to everyone to get their second dose as soon as they’re eligible,” Dr. Salvaterra said.
That said, while vaccinations continue at a brisk pace, the number of local residents aged 18 and up who have not yet received a first dose sits at more than 29,000, while the number of adolescents aged 12 to 17 that are yet to be vaccinated is at more than 5,000.
Dr. Salvaterra said the reason for that can be traced in part to the later local arrival of mass quantities of vaccine compared to earlier identified hot spots.
“I think people just need more time to book their appointments,” she said. “Looking ahead, we have lots of booked appointments, so it’s really just a matter of time. We are expecting a very large shipment of Moderna each week for the next two weeks.”
At present, more than 93,000 local residents have received at least their first dose of vaccine — an increase of 8,000 over the past week — and more than 16,000 have been fully vaccinated, 4,500 more than reported last week.
“We have now reached more than 75 per cent of residents with at least one dose and are almost at 40 per cent of youths aged 12 to 17 with their first dose,” Dr. Salvaterra said. “We hope to have that increase more with our dedicated youth clinics this week. We remain in a race against time to reach vaccination targets (set by the province) while we continue to follow public health measures.”
As of Sunday (June 13) at 4:30 p.m., the number of active cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake, and Hiawatha was reported as 35 — an increase of six since last Monday. The number of close contacts of positive cases being monitored continues to decline in a big way, now at 38, 42 less than what was reported last Monday.
Meanwhile a pandemic rarity of sorts is now being reported, with no current outbreaks in the Peterborough region.
On the enforcement front, Peterborough County OPP Sergeant Chris Galeazza confirmed a large weekend gathering at Sandy Beach prompted police monitoring but resulted in no charges.
“The site was very busy throughout the entire weekend,” Galeazza said. “We ask that people be mindful of space. If the parking lot is full, come back at another time. Congregation in large numbers was the issue. We have the ability to disperse but that would create a larger enforcement issue. Charges haven’t been laid at this point, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any forthcoming.”
Also commenting during Monday’s briefing were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, and Peterborough board of health chair and Selwyn mayor Andy Mitchell.
