As COVID-19 cases climb in local kids MLHU wants to vaccinate 5-11 year olds
The province has been alerted to a significant rise in COVID-19 cases detected among children in London and Middlesex County.
An analysis by the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) determined that 42 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed among individuals aged five to 17 during the second week of September.
There was only one case detected in that age group during the same week last year.
“The Delta variant is really a game-changer with regard to children and youth. It is showing up way more heavily in that population,” explains Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie.
The pediatric incidence rate has reached 43 cases per 100,000 for kids five to 11 years old, 42 per 100,000 aged 12-17.
Mackie says the rise began in August, and is not related to transmission in schools.
The weekly COVID-19 incidence rate by episode date in those ages 0-11 and 12-17 are seen in this graph provided by the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
With the cause still undetermined, the MLHU notified the province, “We alerted the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario about what we are seeing locally. We have asked that COVID-19 vaccines be included in the Immunization of School Pupils Act.”
Kids who were not fully vaccinated accounted for 92 of the 102 pediatric cases reported so far in September.
Mackie says adding COVID-19 vaccination to the Immunization of School Pupils Act would encourage more parents to get their eligible children vaccinated.
Currently, that’s youth aged 12 and over in 2021 -- but Mackie is now asking that the eligible age be lowered.
“We’ve reached out to the federal government to ask that they expedite the approval of the vaccine in the five to eleven year old group,” he adds.
Meanwhile, demand for testing has significantly exceeded expectation since the return to school, requiring more staff at the Carling Heights Optimists Centre COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
“There is unfortunately a crunch right now in health human resources, so we may be reaching out to other partners to help out there,” Mackie explains.
Despite pediatric case counts higher than expected, Mackie believes the limited transmission occurring in schools is preventing the need to return to remote learning.
“Do we get there in a few months? It’s hard to say, but I don’t think it is something we should jump to quickly because of the COVID risk of being home.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.