With the Peterborough region’s COVID Community Risk Index at “very high” for the positive case rate and PCR test positivity categories, Peterborough’s medical officer of health is urging residents to continue wearing masks in public settings and gatherings.
“I am concerned by what I am seeing with our transmission and risk index,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott during a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Wednesday (April 6) — the first briefing convened in over a month.
“I am concerned with what I am hearing, especially from our health system partners about the health system’s capacity to deal with what are into already and that is a sixth wave of this pandemic. COVID-19 is not a mild illness. This still is no cold. This still is no flu. The severity is much worse.”
“We are in a concerning phase. None of us want to be here again,” Dr. Piggott said. “I don’t know what the next couple of weeks will bring, but the trajectory we are on is deeply concerning. It’s really critical that for everyone to do their best. This isn’t just about you and your health. It’s about whether people around us will survive this next wave.”
Even more telling regarding the current state of the virus’ presence locally is wastewater surveillance data, an accurate indicator of the presence of the virus in a community at any given time.
“In Peterborough, it (wastewater surveillance data) has surpassed the January peak of omicron,” said Dr. Piggott, adding both Lakefield and Millbrook wastewater surveillance numbers are also rising. The Central East region is on the steepest incline (compared to other regions).”
“If we all come together and take precautions now, we can avoid this situation getting worse and from potentially having a very negative impact, not only on our health care system but our communities.”
As of this past Monday (April 4), there were 210 active PCR test-confirmed cases in Peterborough city and county, Hiawatha and Curve Lake. While that number is down from what was seen back in January, what is rising — and quickly — is the number of new cases being reported weekly.
To date this week, 181 new cases have been detected locally, well up from the 100 new cases reported for the whole week of February 28.
Outbreaks, meanwhile, number six, including those ongoing at Kawartha Heights Retirement Living, Prince Gardens Retirement Residence, and Springdale Country Manor in Cavan Monaghan. An outbreak is also ongoing at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre where there are currently 22 inpatients with COVID.
“Hospitalizations and deaths are lagging indicators that will likely take a couple of weeks to start to increase,” said Dr. Piggott.
“In other jurisdictions, where we have seen preventative measures removed and case rates climb, we’ve seen hospitalizations and deaths subsequently climb. I’m very concerned with where we we’re headed in this region in the next couple of weeks.”
Meanwhile, with the provincial government having announced that those aged 60 and up are now eligible for a fourth shot of vaccine, Dr. Piggott confirmed the local booking system will open Thursday (April 7) for appointments. No walk-ins will be accepted at this point.
“We are still concerned that many people who are eligible for a third dose have not come forward for that,” said Dr. Piggott, adding “This is an important protection against severe disease.”
Local vaccination numbers show just 62.5 per cent of local residents aged 18 and up have received a third dose.
Asked if, in his opinion, the province lifted the mask mandate prematurely, Dr. Piggott wouldn’t commit to an answer. Instead, he reiterated his direction that masks continue to be worn as much as possible.
“We know from the evidence they (masks) will protect not only you but those around you,” Dr. Piggot said, providing a personal anecdote.
“I went to a grocery store one evening this week,” he said. “I was wearing my N95 mask. I was the only individual in that entire store, other than a teenaged kid collecting carts in the parking lot, wearing a mask.”
“That wouldn’t have been the case several weeks ago, so I’m quite concerned that people have changed their behaviour. I’m imploring people to put masks on at least for a little bit longer. It will help stop the spread of this sixth wave.”
The original version of this story has been replaced with complete coverage from the media briefing.
