More vaccinations could lead to less pandemic restrictions in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon: Peel Public Health

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Published November 19, 2021 at 11:32 am

Officials are keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to determine if new pandemic regulations will come into effect this winter.

On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said the province is relying on local medical officers of health to reinstate pandemic restrictions if tighter measures are required.

PPH said it is monitoring several factors – including case counts and transmission patterns – to gauge the need for any capacity limits or COIVD-19 regulations over the winter months.

According to PPH, an increase in COVID-19 immunizations could reduce the likelihood of additional pandemic restrictions.

“The more protected our population is, the less we anticipate the need for further restrictions,” PPH said in a statement. “Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect against yourself and your family against COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the virus.”

Local restrictions in Peel municipalities could be considered in situations of:

  • a rapid or sustained rise in case counts.
  • outbreaks in specific settings like workplaces, schools and childcare centres.
  • transmission related to higher risk activities,
  • or indicators related to capacity within the local healthcare system.

With Pfizer set to announce Canadian approval of pediatric vaccines for children between 5 and 11 years old on Friday, PPH said it hopes vaccinating kids “will further reduce the number of people who are vulnerable to infection in our community.”

Ontario parents could be able to book COVID−19 vaccine appointments for their young children as early as next week.

As of Wednesday, PPH says 89.3 per cent of eligible Peel residents have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 85.3 per cent are fully immunized.

While the province has said it is taking a local approach to COVID-19 regulations and limits, PPH said it will look to the province to coordinate a public health response if  transmission in higher risk settings or activities is “consistent across the province or several health units.”

The number of new COVID-19 cases across Ontario jumped to over 700 on Thursday – the highest single day case count since September – with 49 new cases reported in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

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