GUELPH – COVID-19 is circulating in the community and the proof is in the wastewater, says the region’s top doctor.
“People are tired of hearing about COVID, but there’s a very large increase in wastewater signals,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer told the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) board on Dec. 6.
“That tells us there is lots of COVID in the community. We see these numbers and we know it’s there, and it’s higher than the last two years.”
It is a less-dire situation than we’ve seen in the recent past, she acknowledged.
The variant seems to be weaker than previous strains that wreaked havoc on our health, our communities, our healthcare system, and our overall wellness.
And it helps that so many people have received one or two shots of the vaccine or have had COVID and now have some natural immunity.
“But only 10% of people under [age] 60 in our region have had boosters, so the vast majority of people are susceptible,” she said.
This image shows wastewater COVID data across the WDGPH region over the last three years, with the latest data from Dec. 6. WDGPH web image
As of Dec. 14, the dashboard on the public health website indicates:
- 61.2% of people aged 80 or older have had a recent booster shot;
- 37.2% of those aged 60 to 79 have had it;
- 10.8% aged 40 to 59 have been boosted; but
- the numbers barely register for those younger than 40.
“It’s not too late to get the booster and flu shot,” Mercer continued. “It will keep you healthier and safer through the holidays.”
While the best advice for anyone is to stay home when feeling unwell, “Not everyone has the ability to stay home when they are ill,” she said.
“I feel for people who have no choice. But you do have a choice to get the shot and wear a mask when you’re sick.
“We want to prevent the spread, especially so close to the holidays.”
COVID-19 is spreading through local long-term care facilities.
Caressant Care Arthur was in a facility-wide outbreak from Dec. 3 to 13; Dufferin Oaks in Shelburne was declared in outbreak on Dec. 8; and Heritage River Retirement Home has been in outbreak since Nov 28.
LaPointe Fisher Long-Term Care and Village of Riverside Glen, both in Guelph, have both been in outbreak since early December.
Guelph General Hospital declared an outbreak on its 7E wing on Dec. 13 and the Homewood Health Centre in Guelph has had several outbreaks on various of its units since Nov. 30.
While there are currently no provincial mask mandates, local hospitals and long-term care facilities may require visitors to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.
