Chief Medical Officer says Schools Will Return to In Person

As Eastern Ontario enters into the month of August, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, chief medical officer of the EOHU, gives the latest numbers on vaccinations, and the guidelines for the upcoming school year. 
 
There are currently 3 active cases in Clarence-Rockland, 5 in the UCPR, and 5 in the EOHU as a whole. There are also no hospitalizations, or outbreaks in a congregate setting. There were a few new confirmed cases over the weekend, but the EOHU and province as a whole are still having much fewer numbers than compared to the peak of the latest outbreaks. All of the most recent cases are from people who are not yet vaccinated.
 
Dr. Paul briefly touches on the highly infectious delta variant, saying that we have had only one confirmed case in July, which thankfully did not spread. 
 
The best way to fight it is to get vaccinated, as the vaccine is proven to have a great effect on the variant. 
 
As of this week the EOHU have delivered 270,153 doses. 146,230 1st doses have been delivered, accounting for 79.9% of the eligible population, while 123,923 2nd doses have been delivered, accounting for 67.7% of the eligible population.
 
Dr. Paul says that the second doses have seen a nearly seven percent increase from last week’s numbers (61.8%), which is a good sign. 60% of the 18-29 demographic has now received their first dose, which Dr. Paul says it is another improvement.  An interesting development that the data shows is that less males have gotten their vaccine than females, particularly in the younger age groups.
 
In terms of getting the numbers needed to step out of Step 3, only 170 more 1st doses are needed which will result in 80% of the eligible population being vaccinated.
 
On the other hand, the EOHU still needs 13,327 more 2nd doses to reach 75% of the eligible population being fully vaccinated, with the end goal being 70% of the entire province being fully vaccinated. In order for the province to reach herd immunity, 85-90% of the population needs to be fully vaccinated.
 
Dr. Paul says that the EOHU is winding down mass immunization clinics towards the end of August, but people will still be able to find vaccines through pop up clinics, pharmacies, among other means.
 
The government of Canada has just released the Covid-19 Safety guidelines for the upcoming school year. 
 
School will return to full time in person classes for both elementary and secondary schools, while masking, screening, and cohorts are a few of the measures that will remain in place to ensure students and staff are safe. If a child or member of staff is showing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), they will be tested for covid.
 
Dr. Paul says that making sure everyone is vaccinated is the most important step, and best way to ensure everyone’s safety.
 
When asked about political rallies during the upcoming election season, Dr. Paul says that the guidelines will depend on what step we are in, and the vaccination status of those that attend. To dissuade any worries about the EOHU using expired Moderna vaccines, Dr. Paul explains how the storage method works, and that every vaccine that is used is safe, and that they have no wasted vaccines.
 
On a final note, Dr. Paul says that a new measure will be put in place: for every new case, an individual's vaccination status will also be posted.