Ontarians are being asked to keep up to date on their COVID vaccinations, as a summer wave fueled by the subvariant Omicron BA.5 has probably begun.
It is an especially important message in Hamilton, where the absorption of reinforcement has been slow.
“The third dose of vaccine is critical to protecting against serious illness,” an adviser to Ontario’s COVID-19 scientific advisory board said Wednesday.
His message to the public provides a guide to what onttarians need to know about the seventh wave of COVID.
Has a new wave started?
The scientific board on Wednesday declared a likely new wave. On the same day, Hamilton Public Health reported that COVID transmission was increasing for the first time since April.
Both are looking for a number of measures, including increasing wastewater samples with COVID-19 detected.
The number of tests that test positive is more than 10% 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% of public health units are experiencing exponential growth in cases. In Hamilton, the daily average of new cases was 62 on July 3, 25 of June 6. The cases are a significant underestimation.
What is driving the wave?
Highly contagious Omicron subvariants, especially BA.5, are fueling the summer wave.
“You can re-infect yourself with BA.5 even if you have recently become infected with a previous strain,” the scientific table states.
However, it does not cause more serious illnesses.
“Current evidence does not suggest that BA.5 is more severe or that it leads to an increase in hospitalizations as large as previous waves,” the scientific table stated.
What happens if I get infected?
“Infections can make you feel bad and disrupt your family and work life,” the scientific panel said. “Every infection puts you at risk for long-term COVID.”
While the risk of serious illness is not greater with BA.5, it is also not zero. The scientific panel reported the first increase in hospitalizations for COVID since May.
“If BA.5 spreads widely, we can see an increase in deaths among higher-risk groups,” the scientific table stated.
What about the health care system?
“Hospitals are already very tense,” the scientific board warned. “Any increase comes at a time when hospitals are already facing staff shortages and record waiting times; that affects us all.”
Hamilton hospitals had 700 jobs they could not cover in May and 292 staff self-isolated as of Wednesday.
In addition, the overcrowding in the wards and the large number of patients attending the emergency services have made ambulances wait hours to unload patients, causing an increase in “Code Zero” events in June. Code zero is when one or no ambulance is available to respond to emergencies.
Hamilton hospitals also have pandemic delays they are trying to erase, including about 15,000 surgeries in March.
At the same time, there are still patients admitted with COVID.
“Hospitalizations are still higher than at any time last summer,” the scientific board said.
Do I need to wear a mask?
“Wearing a mask again in crowded indoor public spaces is a good way to protect yourself until the wave is over,” the scientific panel said.
Hamilton’s public health also “strongly recommends wearing a mask that fits well inside, especially when there are people.”
The scientific table suggested a high-quality surgical mask, KN95 or N95.
“Ventilate as much as possible by opening windows and doors,” the scientific board said. “Choose lower-risk alternatives; for example, enjoy the good weather by meeting friends outdoors instead of indoors.”
You can still enjoy the summer while reducing your risk of contracting COVID, the scientific board urged.
“Unfortunately, a recent infection may not protect you very well from reinfection with BA.5,” he stated. “So as we enter a new wave, it’s worth re-engaging with multiple layers of protection to reduce risk.”
Does a reinforcement make a difference?
“Make sure your vaccines are up to date,” the scientific board said. “It offers significant additional protection against serious illness.”
Hamilton’s data show the striking difference that COVID features make. Unvaccinated have a hospitalization rate of 434.1 per 100,000 population, compared to 75.8 of those who received three vaccinations. The risk of entering the intensive care unit is 12 times higher for the unvaccinated than the reinforced ones.
But coverage remains low, with less than 50 percent of Hamiltonians aged 18 to 39 improved. Coverage for children is even worse, with only 17% of 12- to 17-year-olds doing three shots.
“New vaccines targeting emerging variants could be available this fall, but as a wave begins, it makes sense to get the vaccines for which you are eligible,” the scientific panel said. “If you’re 60 or older, or you’re immunocompromised and haven’t received your fourth dose, now is the time.”
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