Simcoe Muskoka declared Delta hotspot

Overall, cases of COVID-19 have seen a marked reduction in Simcoe-Muskoka but the increase of the Delta variant has caused the region to be declared a hotspot, accelerating second doses for all residents over the age of 18.
As of Wednesday, June 23, individuals 18 and older who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30 and who live in the catchment area of one of the 10 public health units identified as Delta hot spots, including Simcoe-Muskoka, are eligible to book, or re-book, their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
Those 12-17 years old are eligible to book their second dose between August 9 and 22 (sooner for those who meet the priority criteria set out by the province.)
The Delta variant accounts for 54 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in Simcoe-Muskoka, including laboratory confirmed cases and screened positive cases. Residents are now approved to get any vaccine as a second dose, regardless of what was administered as a first dose.
“That interchangeability is very important for us now because it is imperative that people get fully immunized as quickly as we can manage as a key response to being a Delta hotspot, and the potential for a surge,” said medical officer of health Dr. Charles Gardner, adding that surges of the Delta variant are happening in the UK, Waterloo region and Porcupine Health Unit.
Gardner said a single dose is just over 30 per cent effective against infection and 80 per cent effective against severe infection or admission to hospital. Two doses of mRNA are over 80 per cent effective for preventing cases, and AstraZeneca is just over 60 per cent effective in preventing cases.
He said the Delta variant has over twice the likelihood of causing a severe case requiring hospitalization.
“For all of these reasons and it’s proving to be possible of causing another wave, as is happing in the United Kingdom right now, we need to be very careful both as individuals and collectively in our overall response in managing the Delta variant,” said Gardner.
He is urging everyone to stick with all public health measures, especially as Canada Day approaches, saying the presence of the variant means we need to exercise caution.
Currently the region is in good shape with a 33 per cent reduction in cases from the previous week, and most areas have an incidence rate of fewer that 20 cases per 100,000 population.
Currently 74 per cent of adults 18 years and older living in Simcoe Muskoka have had at least one dose of vaccine, 21 per cent have had two doses and 54 per cent of youth 12 to 17 years of age have had their first vaccine dose.
Young adults (18-34 years) have had the highest rates of infection since February.
The province has said Ontario’s allocation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine meant to arrive during the first two weeks of July will be lower than initially projected (decreased from approximately 885,000 to 348,000 doses) and is planned to catch up during the last two weeks of July.
The province will continue to expand eligibility for accelerated second doses across Ontario as additional vaccine allocations and shipment timelines are confirmed by the federal government.
To access the provincial online booking site visit www.Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900. Select primary care providers will also be reaching out to book appointments and select pharmacies are offering doses through their own portals.