Ontarians are being told to get up to date on their COVID vaccines as the summer wave fueled by the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant has likely begun.
This is an especially important message in Hamilton, where uptake of the booster has been slow.
“The third dose of vaccine is critical to prevent severe disease,” Ontario’s COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Panel said Wednesday.
His message to the public provides a guide to what Ontarians need to know about the seventh wave of COVID.
Has a new wave started?
The scientific table announced a likely new wave on Wednesday. On the same day, Hamilton Public Health reported that transmission of COVID was increasing for the first time since April.
Both are looking at a range of measures, including increasing samples of wastewater with COVID-19 detected.
The number of positive tests is above 10 percent in the province for the first time since May. For Hamilton, it rose to an average of nearly nine percent on June 30 from six percent on June 16.
About 80 percent of public health units have seen an exponential increase in cases. In Hamilton, the daily average of new cases was up to 62 on July 3 from 25 on June 6. Cases are significantly underestimated.
What drives the wave?
Highly contagious Omicron sub-variants, especially BA.5, are fueling the summer wave.
“You can become infected again with BA.5 even if you have recently been infected with an earlier strain,” the scientific table says.
However, it does not cause more serious diseases.
“Current data do not suggest that BA.5 is more severe or that it will result in as large an increase in hospitalizations as previous waves,” the scientific paper says.
What if I get infected?
“Infections can make you feel sick and be disruptive to your family and work,” the science board says. “Any infection puts you at risk for prolonged COVID.”
Although the risk of severe disease is not higher with BA.5, it is not zero either. The science board reported the first increase in COVID hospitalizations since May.
“If BA.5 becomes widely available, we may see an increase in deaths among higher-risk groups,” the scientific paper said.
What about the health care system?
“Hospitals are already very strained,” warned the scientific table. “Each jump comes at a time when hospitals are already dealing with staff shortages and record waiting times – it affects us all.”
Hamilton hospitals had 700 jobs they could not fill as of May and 292 employees self-isolating as of Wednesday.
In addition, ward overcrowding and the large number of patients coming to emergency rooms led to hours-long waits for ambulances to unload patients, causing a spike in Code Zero events in June. Code zero is when there is one or no ambulance to respond to an emergency.
Hamilton hospitals also have a backlog of pandemics they are trying to clear, including nearly 15,000 operations as of March.
At the same time, there are still patients admitted with COVID.
“Hospitalizations remain higher than at any time this past summer,” the scientific table said.
Do I have to wear a mask?
“Returning to wearing a mask in crowded indoor public spaces is a good way to protect yourself until the wave ends,” the scientific table said.
Hamilton Public Health also “strongly recommends wearing a well-fitting mask indoors, especially when crowded.”
The scientific table suggested a high-quality surgical mask, KN95 or N95.
“Ventilate as much as possible by opening windows and doors,” says the scientific table. “Choose lower-risk alternatives—for example, enjoy the great weather by gathering with friends outdoors instead of indoors.”
You can still enjoy summer while reducing your risk of contracting COVID, the scientific panel urged.
“Unfortunately, a recent infection may not protect you very well from re-infection with BA.5,” it states. “So as we enter a new wave, it pays to recommit to multiple layers of protection to reduce risk.”
Does the booster make a difference?
“Make sure your vaccinations are up to date,” the science board says. “Provides significant additional protection against serious illness.”
Hamilton’s data shows the amazing difference the shots are making against COVID. The unvaccinated had a hospitalization rate of 434.1 per 100,000 population compared to 75.8 for those with three vaccines. The risk of admission to the intensive care unit was 12 times higher in the unvaccinated than in the intensive care unit.
But coverage remains low, with less than 50 percent of Hamiltonians aged 18 to 39 boosted. Coverage for children is even worse, with only 17 percent of those aged 12 to 17 having three vaccines.
“New vaccines targeting emerging variants may be available this fall, but as a wave begins, it makes sense to get the vaccines you’re eligible for now,” the scientific paper says. “If you’re 60 or older or immunocompromised and haven’t had your fourth dose, now is the time.”
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