MOH “optimistic” about COVID-19 numbers

The medical officer of health for Hastings Prince Edward says he’s optimistic but cautious about the impact of COVID-19 in the community as spring approaches.

Following a meeting of the Board of Health on Wednesday, Dr. Ethan Toumishey said the community having access to vaccinations and booster shots has “absolutely” changed the picture on the impact of COVID-19.

Toumishey added, “Hopefully around the corner we’ll see that change in seasonality with the improved weather and these would be factors that will assist us as we move ahead to the opening getting towards the end of March, April.”

Toumishey also noted there’s still the seasonal factor of making respiratory viruses more likely.

“I would assess it’s likely that we are are going to keep seeing similar numbers of COVID-19. I would be optimistic that we’re getting out continue with the weeks we’ll continue to see that downward trend…”There’s still a lot of this in the community and the seasonal factor making respiratory viruses more likely. We are seeing more reopening, more contact, more mobility in the community. These things will probably affect what we may see.

“Still some numbers of COVID-19 are going around really until we’re into better weather phase.”

“Reopening has been around for weeks, we’re looking for the April picture. Probably for March we’re going to continue to see similar numbers, but if there’s anything I’ve learned, we just have to keep monitoring the trends over time.”

Toumishey added, “Beyond the regulatory, encourage the community members and this is knowledge that we’ve all hard won through science and through public health measures, community actions, things that we can do to reduce our risks. Getting vaccinated, staying home if you’re sick, masking. Encouraging people to utilize the measures based off the risk they might perceive.
These have worked and we know they have an effect.”