April 28, 2022 · 0 Comments
Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates, the arrival of a sixth wave driven by the more transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reporting a steady increase of the virus in the Region.
While an increase in COVID-19 infections was anticipated following the lifting of provincial preventive measures, the new number of cases has risen sharply.
“The number of cases, outbreaks and hospitalizations we are seeing in Simcoe Muskoka is very concerning,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU’s Medical Officer of Health. “The pandemic is not over and we cannot let our guard down. I want to emphasize once again, to the community, that it is still essential that people take precautions to protect themselves and those around them, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The most important way to do this is to get vaccinated and to stay up to date with all vaccinations you are eligible for, including booster doses.
“With provincial restrictions no longer in place I also continue to strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask in all indoor public spaces as a simple way to prevent the spread of the virus. It is up to each of us as individuals to help slow the spread of this sixth wave by taking these and other personal precautions I continue to strongly recommend.”
In addition to getting vaccinated and wearing a mask in indoor public settings, precautions include limiting your number of close contacts, physically distancing from people outside your household, ensuring good ventilation or spending time outdoors, and practising proper hand hygiene.
Individuals who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccination or booster doses are encouraged to do so as soon as they are eligible.
First booster doses are available to youth age 12 to 17 years at least six months after they received the second dose of their primary series.
Adults age 18 and older can receive a first booster three months after their second dose.
It is important that children age five to 11 years receive two doses of the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine and parents are encourage to get children vaccinated as soon as they are able.
By Brian Lockhart