Oglaza: COVID-19 cases may be stabilizing, but ‘too soon’ to know for sure
Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health, was unable to provide a virtual briefing to the press this week. Instead, Public Health released a recorded video statement on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in which he optimistically suggested that the rate of COVID-19 cases in the region may be rising more slowly now than in the rest of the province.
“Early evidence suggests that COVID-19 activity locally might be rising at a slower rate. We’ll have a better understanding of the trends in the weeks to come,” Oglaza stated, noting that KFL&A continues to have the largest uptake of third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the province.
“Just under 60 per cent of those 18 years of age and older have received their third dose,” he continued. “Vaccination and third dose boosters remain one of the best strategies to combat [the Omicron variant]. And I strongly encourage those eligible to get immunized without delay.”
Based on provincial statistics from earlier this week, Oglaza said that in the KFL&A region “we have the highest vaccine uptake for those aged five to 11 years of age.” 65.2 per cent of local individuals in that age group have received their first dose of the vaccine, compared with the 46.7 per cent provincial average.
“I’d like to thank parents in the KFL&A region for having confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, and encourage others who have not yet done so to book appointments or look for one of our walk-in clinics we have in the region,” Oglaza urged.
He continued expressing thanks, saying, “I would like to take a moment to thank our staff, volunteers, primary care pharmacies, municipalities, and other community partners for their efforts to help with the vaccine rollout.”
Public Health staff continue to review several indicators to understand the status of COVID-19 in our community, according to Oglaza. They look at trends and percent positivity starting seven days after the provincially mandated testing changes, as well as hospitalization rates and wastewater surveillance, to form a full picture of the current COVID-19 situation, he explained.
“Right now our hospitalizations might be stabilizing, as too may our percent positivity, but it is too soon to form conclusions,” Oglaza stated. “We continue to ask our community to please continue to reduce social interactions, especially with those more vulnerable to illness. Get your third dose when you’re eligible. Monitor for symptoms and COVID-19, and stay home when ill.”
“We recognize that the past few months have been a challenging time. But our successes throughout the pandemic show that working together as a community and following public health protective measures will continue to build our community’s strength.”
How does anyone know exactly what the Covid rates are in Kingston Dr Oglaza? Testing is not being used done in the community- reporting methods have changed, rates of infection are looking better now- right? Right! No way to know. The fewer tests done, the lower the acknowledged rate of infection. I am not talking about hospitalization I am talking about community spread. We get updates M,W and Friday and death rates are slowly creeping upward- no information on age etc and no community spread updates. Schools are opening next week- but parents won’t be told anything about absenteeism due to anything unless it’s 30%. But one case of head lice and everyone knows. I think Covid is more serious than head lice. This new way of handling the pandemic “smells” of government trying to manage facts. My personal opinion.