Health unit amends vaccination instruction for youth sports and recreation

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Children participating in community sports and recreational activities celebrating their 12th birthday can now continue playing for up to three months while receiving their COVID-19 injections.

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The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit modified the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for youth on Wednesday to provide a three-month grace period for those who have just turned 12, so they don’t have to stop participating. due to the change in the vaccine. eligibility.

On October 1, the health unit implemented a letter of instructions requiring owners and operators of sports and recreational fitness facilities to require proof of double vaccination from anyone entering who is 12 years or older.

“We always try to do better,” said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Acting Medical Health Officer. “Whenever we propagate rules and instructions, we try … to be cautious and circumspect with the mandates and requirements.”

The health unit is also “constantly receiving feedback and dialogue with the community, and we try to incorporate that into our plan to move forward,” he said.

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Children will now have 12 weeks from their 12th birthday to fully vaccinate against COVID-19. During that time, they will be required to present identification to participate in community sports and recreation activities, but do not have to provide proof of being fully vaccinated.

Once the child reaches the 12 week mark after their birthday, they must present proof of vaccination to continue participating.

“By requiring and verifying proof of vaccination for all persons 12 years of age or older who access these types of indoor facilities, we will greatly reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and improve protection against COVID-19, limiting their spread among the young. and their families in Windsor-Essex, ”said Dr. Nesathurai.

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COVID-19 case counts are now lower in Windsor-Essex than when the initial instruction letter was created, “so that also influences the decision” to allow the three-month vaccine grace period for those who have just turned 12.

COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12 have not yet been approved for use in Canada.

The local health unit reported 30 additional COVID infections on Wednesday, including 11 close contacts of confirmed cases, seven community-acquired cases, three related to outbreaks and one related to travel.

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The sources of transmission for eight cases remain under investigation.

There are currently 190 active cases of COVID-19 in Windsor and Essex counties. Eleven people who tested positive are hospitalized and five of them are in intensive care.

COVID-19 outbreaks are active in seven workplaces, five community settings, and five schools.

A new outbreak has been declared on the Windsor Regional Hospital Ouellette campus at 4 Medical. Fewer than five patients have been affected and all are asymptomatic, the hospital said.

The first positive case in the hospital outbreak was identified after routine screening. All the patients involved resided in the same wardroom.

Admissions to the affected unit continue, however, no visitors will be allowed in the outbreak areas.

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Reference-windsorstar.com

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