With active cases of COVID-19 in Hastings and Prince Edward nearing 100, the Acting Medical Officer of Health says it would be a much different picture if our vaccination rates weren’t as high as they are.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reported 23 new cases of the virus Wednesday, bumping the number of active cases up to 99.
Dr. Ethan Toumishey says there are a few factors behind the surge in cases.
“We’re getting into respiratory virus season so with the colder weather that we’re having, people are going to more naturally concentrate in indoor environments and closed spaces for longer periods of time. The other thing is that we have had an opening of public health measures and restrictions and we see more activity and movement in larger numbers.”
A third factor is how easily and rapidly the Delta variant, which is prominent in Ontario, spreads.
Dr. Toumishey says without vaccinations, numbers would be much higher.
“We are absolutely benefitting from the high levels of vaccinations that the community has taken on, stepped up, gone out and getting their shots. We would be in a very different picture if it wasn’t for that immunity that’s already built up in the population.”
Twenty-six percent of cases since July 1 are breakthrough cases which Dr. Toumishey says is in line with the provincial trend.
“The risk of becoming infected if you’re unvaccinated is much, much higher and then to add in the risk of becoming severely infected where you’re ending up in the hospital or the ICU, is significantly higher if you’re not vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Eighty-five percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated and 90% have received one shot.
Fifteen of Wednesday’s new cases were unvaccinated with the other eight fully vaccinated.
