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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.