Peel’s top doc wants vaccinated residents of Mississauga and Brampton to protect the unvax’d
Published August 25, 2021 at 12:30 pm
Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel’s top doc, said the onus for protecting the 250,000 unvaccinated adults in Peel from COVID-19 lies with more restrictions on the vaccinated population.
“We must protect (those not fully vaccinated) by both vaccinating and reducing contact for the moment,” said Loh, while outlining several new regulations the Region of Peel Public Health Department would be implementing over the coming days.
“Transmission continues to rise in Brampton this week, reflecting trends across the Region of Peel,” said Loh during his regular appearance at Brampton mayor Patrick’s Brown’s weekly news conference.
He said there are 35.3 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents and test positivity lies at 4.1 per cent. The main ways the virus has been spreading over the last two weeks are household contact, social interactions at events like weddings, funerals and sporting events, and returning travellers.
Admissions are rising again at local hospitals and Loh said new patients are typically not fully vaccinated.
“The Delta variation is moving quickly. Thankfully, 73 per cent of our residents have two-dose vaccine coverage, which is a strength for our community.”
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Loh said, however, even vaccinated people can pass on the virus.
“Vaccines alone are not enough. We must reduce risk by again limiting contacts where possible and following precautions of masking and distancing in indoor public spaces.”
To better protect residents, Loh outlined several steps Peel Public Health would be taking.
“For employers, I strongly recommend reviewing your COVID-19 safety plan to assess whether workplace risks could be reduced by implementing a proof of vaccination policy for your staff.
“For event organizers and venues, later this week Peel Public Health will be issuing directives to support timely contact tracing. Upon our request, within 24 hours, you will be required to provide full lists of all attendees for outbreak investigation.”
Loh said the health department will also begin public disclosure of events attended by more than 100 people where two or more cases are reasonably thought to have been acquired.
Event operators should continue to screen guests on arrival and are required to enforce masking indoors wherever distancing cannot be maintained.
Loh reiterated his call to the province to implement a vaccine certificate program and said, barring that, provincial health departments are discussing among themselves what possible restrictions they may implement at the local level.
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