Double vaccination urged as COVID-19 Delta variant cases rise in London-Middlesex
Local vaccination efforts will shift into high gear after four new cases of the COVID-19 delta variant were confirmed by lab results today.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit held an unscheduled news conference shortly after being notified.
“The Delta variant, first identified in India, is more transmissible and appears to lead to more people in hospital,” explained Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers.
Dr. Summers warned it will become the dominant strain in Ontario by the end of this month and could ignite a resurgence of cases.
It takes laboratories time to takes time to identify variants, so the four cases are already resolved.
The MLHU’s preliminary review suggests the cases were acquired locally, and the infected were either unvaccinated or had only received a single dose.
Dr. Summers referred to data from the UK that suggests preventing the delta variant requires two doses.
Local vaccination efforts will now shift into high gear.
“The threat to partially vaccinated people is notable,” said Dr. Summers. “There is quite a reduction in vaccine effectiveness against the delta for symptomatic COVID illness.”
As the region enters a race to double-vaccinate against the variant, vaccine availability is soaring.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie says unexpected shipments and over-sized shipments this week have resulted in more opportunities to get shots into arms.
“We have been able already to add 43,000 additional vaccine appointments into our booking system,” Dr. Mackie told the news conference.
“If you don’t have a single dose, go out and get it because it will prevent you from being hospitalized,” added Dr. summers. “The goal for having people double vaccinated is that it works against the delta variant. It works.”
Anyone who received a first dose on or before May 9 can book a second shot now.
On Thursday, the MLHU will determine if that date could move to May 31.
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.