'COVID-19 is here to stay': Transmission likely to increase this fall, Dr. Alex Summers says
With back-to-school just around the corner, local health officials are anticipating that the region will likely see a jump in COVID-19 cases this fall.
“We do anticipate that the probability of COVID-19 transmission will go up into the fall and winter, as people spend more time in indoor environments especially if they are crowded,” says Dr. Alex Summers, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) medical officer of health.
On Thursday, Summers says the number of new infections has plateaued since the region experienced the seventh wave in July.
“COVID-19 is here to stay,” he says. “But there are tools to protect us and those around us. We do anticipate at some point, a new omicron-specific vaccine will be available and at that point that will provide additional protection.”
PCR testing is currently only available for certain groups, including people who are immunocompromised, adults who have high-risk health conditions, health care workers, first responders and those working in high-risk settings.
A map of Victoria Hospital in London, Ont., highlighting building 24, the new location of a COVID-19 assessment centre. (Source: Middlesex-London Health Unit)With this in mind, the health unit is relying on test results and wastewater data to determine the overall levels of COVID-19 in the region.
“Even though not everyone is getting a PCR test we still have lots of information which help us understand the risk of COVID-19 to the Middlesex-London region,” says Summers.
Starting Aug. 22, the COVID-19 assessment centre at the Carling Heights Community Centre will move to a new location at Victoria Hospital in building 24.
“Our volumes have significantly decreased since January when the criteria decreased,” says Kim Planques, the director of the COVID-19 assessment centre. “Right now we are seeing approximately 75 people a day. We can double that number of people if needed.”
The new centre will be open seven days a week, and Planques encourages people to continue to book online if they need a PCR test.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.