If we’re to have any hope of advancing to the next stage of lessened COVID-19 restrictions, we must continue to make “smart choices” in terms of our personal safety measures.
That’s the word from medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott who, during a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Thursday (February 3), said what’s ahead “is contingent on what we do — the actions that each and every one us take.”
“As we emerge into this next stage of learning to live with COVID, I want to highlight that there are measures that each and every one of us can take that don’t have the same degree of negative impact that the more heavy measures, like lockdowns, do.”
“Continuing to wear a tightly fitted mask any time you’re around someone outside of your household bubble,” he said. “Getting vaccinated if you haven’t, and getting your third dose if you haven’t done that and are eligible. Staying home when you’re sick. Getting tested if you’re able to. It is on us to continue this process on the journey to learning to live with COVID-19.”
To those who are looking for a tangible sign that the COVID picture is brightening, Dr. Piggott said anything deemed positive has to be taken with a generous grain of salt.
“There continues to be waste-water surveillance that’s detecting transmission of omicron, though it is down. There continues to be a significant number of deaths in this community. There continues to be a burden on the hospital. We’ve passed the worst of this (omicron wave) and are in a better position. What we don’t know is what will come.”
“As the modelling is indicating, we could be in a position where we will continue to see a decline in cases over the coming weeks. We could see a rebound. We could see something in between. If we all do our part to decrease unnecessary risks, we will start to emerge and see the other side of this very soon.”
While not wanting to raise people’s hopes that COVID-19 will be in our rear-view mirror any time soon, Dr. Piggott expressed “a lot of faith that the vast majority of people in this community and in our region will continue to do their part.”
“I think we’re on the right track and we will continue to see this decline (in cases) progress,” he added. “But my crystal ball broke a while ago. We need to be nimble and adapt to the evidence as it comes out.”
As of late Wednesday afternoon (February 2), there were 249 PRC-confirmed active COVID cases in the Peterborough region — a drop of 87 since the last health unit media briefing on January 27. To date this week since Monday, 74 new COVID cases have been confirmed locally. According to the health unit, the number of active cases is “the tip of the iceberg” due to changes in PCR testing availability.
As encouraging as those numbers are, a grim milestone has been realized with the number of local COVID-related deaths having surpassed 50, now at 51 — an increase of five over the past week. There have now been 25 COVID-related deaths since just before Christmas.
There are 14 active outbreaks. Five outbreaks are ongoing at congregate living facilities while others continue at Extendicare Lakefield, Riverview Manor, Fairhaven Long-Term Care, St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Rubidge Retirement Residence, Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Residence, Kawartha Heights Retirement Living, Peterborough Retirement Residence, and Centennial Place (Millbrook). Meanwhile, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is also dealing with a unit outbreak as it cares for 20 COVID-ill in-patients.
Meanwhile, the local vaccination picture shows that, as of late Wednesday afternoon, 87.1 per cent of those 18 and older eligible for a vaccine had received two doses with 59.4 per cent in that same group having received three doses. Meanwhile, 52.8 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received one dose and 17.1 per cent have received two shots. As for booster shot uptake, 51.8 per cent of all residents eligible aged five and up have rolled up their sleeves.
All Healthy Planet Arena clinics are now open for walk-in appointment for all ages and doses. Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics for more information regarding clinic locations and hours.
Dr. Piggott spoke at length about Paxlovid, a newly approved oral treatment for COVID-19. Individuals who qualify for the five-dose regimen are those who are immune-compromised, those 60 years or older with a medical risk factor and are unvaccinated, and Indigenous residents who are 50 years or older and are unvaccinated.
Those hoping to benefit from the drug must start on their regimen within five days of their confirmed COVID diagnosis, and can only do so once assessed and referred by PRHC.
“At this stage, there’s an extremely limited supply of this medicine,” Dr. Piggott said. “The closest clinical assessment centre to Peterborough is Lakeridge Health in Durham Region. People in our community will start to become eligible for this medicine, which may save many lives.”
Asked if he has any concerns over Paxlovid’s emergence in terms of the effect it will have on those opting to not get vaccinated, Dr. Piggott said he’s not overly concerned there will be a resulting adverse effect on vaccination uptake.
“Just because you can get a blood transfusion after a car accident, that doesn’t mean you’re not going to wear your seatbelt and drive safe. Right now, the access to this medicine is extremely limited. People should not be thinking of it as a panacea. Beyond that, there’s a fairly limited group of individuals who can qualify for this treatment.”
Also on the media briefing call were Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and Selwyn mayor and Board of Health chair Andy Mitchell. Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Fererri was not in attendance.
