Chad Davis / CC
The trends are not in the right direction as we finish off this year.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reported 20 new COVID-19 cases today and 10 more recoveries. There are now a total of 173 active COVID-19 cases, numbers we have not seen since April. There are 37 active cases impacting kids between the ages of 5 and 11.
Total number of active cases today:
- 88 in Belleville
- 41 in Quinte West
- 12 in Prince Edward County
- 14 on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
- 13 in Central Hastings
- 3 in Tyendinaga Deseronto
- 2 in North Hastings
There are seven people in the hospital with the virus and three in the ICU.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has also added a new COVID-19 outbreak to their list, at The Duke Pub in Belleville. There are a total of 21 active COVID-19 outbreaks, seven at local schools.
Quinte Health Care has issued a reminder to residents about booking an appointment ahead of a COVID-19 test, as the lineup to get tested behind the old Quinte Secondary School building was out on the road.
QHC notes that due to the high demand right now, pre-registration is required.
The health unit’s vaccine information has changed a bit on the dashboard to reflect third doses.
Screenshot of HPEPH’s dashboard taken on December 7, 2021.
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health announced 88 new COVID-19 cases today. Factoring in the new cases announced today, 43 of them are in those between the age of 18 and 29. The region has one of the highest active COVID-19 case numbers in all of Ontario, sitting at 389 today. The health unit noted that there are 29 people with the virus in hospital with 11 in the ICU and nine on ventilators.
The cases per 100,000 people has spiked to 134.8 over the last seven days.
While both health units remain in the red risk level, Northumberland County is a different story. While there has been an increase in new cases announced, it has not been so drastic.
Health officials reported three new cases in Northumberland today, for a total of eleven active infections. Factoring in the entire region, the number of cases per 100,000 people is 19.4 over the last seven days.
Ontario announced 928 new COVID-19 cases today, as the province’s top doctor weighed in on new projections brought forward by Ontario’s Science Advisory Table.
The news comes as the province’s daily test positivity rate is up to 3.8 percent. That is the highest it has been since May 31.
The group of scientists are projecting that hospitalization due to COVID-19 will climb in the new year and create strain on the health system once again. The table noted that there could by between 250 to 400 COVID-19 patients in the ICU next month.
Daily case counts could also hit 1,750 early next year. COVID-19 numbers are currently rising in 26 of Ontario’s 34 health units.
Following the news, Ontario’s top doctor had this to say.
“The modeling is predicting a rise in cases which I think we all knew would occur as we head indoors in crowded spaces and close spaces. I am concerned about the coming months and its potential impact on our health-care system but our fate is in our hands. We can wash them, we can use them to put a mask on and we can find the nearest clinic where we can provide safe and effective vaccines. So the modeling is disconcerting but I think we can prevent major impact by adhering to all the basics that we’ve done in the last several months of this pandemic,” said Dr. Kieran Moore.
The province has paused lifting any further capacity restrictions in high-risk settings, where proof of vaccination is required.
Ontario Extending Pause on Lifting Capacity Limits in Remaining Settings Where Proof of Vaccination is RequiredCautious Approach Key to Protecting Our Progress as Province Learns More About the Omicron Variant December 07, 2021 |
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TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is extending its pause on the lifting of capacity limits in remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required while the province continues to monitor trends in public health and health care indicators and learns more about the Omicron variant. These settings include:
“In line with Ontario’s cautious approach to date, as public health and medical experts learn more about the Omicron variant, we are continuing to take a deliberate pause in reopening to protect our hard-fought progress against COVID-19,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As Ontario continues to take rapid action to protect against COVID-19 and variants, I encourage everyone to get their first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.” While an increase in cases was always anticipated as more people socialize indoors due to colder weather, Ontario continues to have one of the lowest case rates in the country, well below the national average. Despite this, Ontario’s cautious approach and high vaccination rates have meant hospital and intensive care unit capacity continues to remain stable. As of December 6, 2021, there were 165 COVID-19 related critical illness patients (CRCI) in intensive-care units, representing only 7 per cent of overall ICU capacity in the province. To ensure Ontario’s hospitals were prepared to respond to any scenario, Ontario invested an additional $1.8 billion, bringing total new investments in hospitals to $5.1 billion since the start of the pandemic. This additional funding includes $760 million to create over 3,100 beds and $300 million to reduce surgical and diagnostic imaging backlogs. The province is also investing $342 million to add over 5,000 new and upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers. Because of this increased capacity, Ontario is able to safely admit approximately 300 patients with COVID-related critical illness into ICUs without putting at risk urgent surgeries. This would allow the province’s hospital system to effectively manage the intake of ICU patients projected as the most likely scenario by expert modellers in the coming months. Ontario can quickly surge up capacity further if necessary. “While an increase in the number of cases was always expected as we entered the winter months, with the emergence of the Omicron variant we must continue following the measures we have in place that have been working for us,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Over the coming weeks and months, we need to stay the course on reaching those who have not yet been vaccinated. If you have not yet received the vaccine, please do so today and if you are eligible for a booster dose, please book your appointment to provide yourself with an extra layer of protection. Achieving the highest vaccination rates possible remains our best defence against COVID-19 and variants.” The months ahead will require continued vigilance. That’s why Ontario has continued to take a cautious approach to public health and workplace safety measures, such as continuing to require masking in indoor public settings throughout the pandemic. The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table rightly points out that the current public health measures are effective against COVID-19 and variants, including Omicron, and that the COVID-19 vaccine remains highly effective against severe illness or hospitalization against the virus. In addition, every eligible Ontarian is strongly recommended to get vaccinated or receive their booster if they are eligible as soon as possible. If you have a child aged five to 11, book an appointment to get your child vaccinated today. The government and the Chief Medical Officer of Health will continue to monitor trends in key public health and health care indicators and emerging data on the Omicron variant and will continue to take swift action to ensure the health and safety of Ontarians. |
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