SUPERIOR NORTH -- Due to the increase daily cases of COVID-19 over the past week, the president and CEO of Ontario’s Hospital Association, Anthony Dale, put out a letter that requested that all Ontarians to get vaccinated.
Ontario has seen a significant increase in COVID-19 cases with a reported more than 2,400 new infections in Ontario, on Dec. 16, 2021. This represents the highest number of cases in the past seven months, made up primarily by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Dale stated that with the particularly colder weather and holiday season there will likely be further increases in cases because of the more frequent indoor social gatherings.
In his announcement, Dale further feels that, although the current hospitalization levels from COVID-19 are stable, he stated that, “the system anticipates and is actively planning for a significant increase in the number of patients with COVID-related critical illness in intensive care units through December and into January. The unvaccinated are at much higher risk of this serious illness than the vaccinated population.”
Although ICU capacities have increased in Ontario, Anthony Dale is still very much concerned. “In short, COVID-19 and the Omicron variant in particular represent a major threat to the hospital system. The OHA is in close contact with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health, and we will work with the government on the actions necessary to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians.
The Ministry of Health has recently indicated that the positivity rate in Ontario is about 7 per cent, the highest since May 18, 2021.
The president and CEO of Ontario’s Hospital Association encourages all those not vaccinated to book appointments as soon as possible, including school age children. “Those who are most at-risk and currently eligible to receive a third dose should so immediately to increase their level of protection.”
He believes that our strongest defence against COVID-19 and the variant Omicron is vaccination.
“At this pivotal moment, that includes following the advice of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health to follow appropriate masking practices, work from home when possible, and keep holiday gatherings small. Hospital teams continue to do everything they can to care for and protect Ontarians. As the risk increases, they need all Ontarians especially those who are not yet vaccinated to do their part in return."
