With cases rising and a new variant in Ontario, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis has called on residents to hold smaller festive gatherings to “make sure we don’t have any surges that overwhelm our public health system”. 

A “major” outbreak in a manufacturing plant close to Cornwall has led to a surge in active cases within the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) with 89 people currently infected by the virus. 

Although there is “no indication” that any of the cases are Omicron, Dr. Roumeliotis said that “84% of workers who got it weren’t vaccinated” and the EOHU’s Medical Officer reminded residents 50 years and older (who received their second dose 6 months ago) that they are eligible for their booster as we come into the winter months. 

The good news is that also across the province cases are rising, hospitalizations remain stable, with those infected “twenty-three” times more likely to end up in the intensive care unit (ICU) if unvaccinated. 

“The risk of getting the infection is much higher if you are not vaccinated vs if you are vaccinated,” said Dr. Roumeliotis. “Cases amongst the unvaccianted are quite high and you are seeing the same differences in both hospitalizations and ICU occupancy. 

“All three (hospitalizations within the EOHU) are not fully vaccinated.” 

New year, same restrictions

Despite the Ontario Government announcing they will not be any subsequent loosening of restrictions’ medical professionals are asking for the policy maker to remain cautious. 

“We strongly urge the government to not remove vaccine passports in January,” he said. “January and February will be higher months where we really have to work hard and then we can reevaluate at that time.”

It is strongly encouraged to follow all Public Health guidelines over the festive period, including wearing masks indoors if mixing households with unvaccinated members (including children aged 5-11 who are un-or-partially vaccinated).