Ontario has likely entered a new wave of the pandemic fueled by the more infectious BA.5 subvariant, the province’s scientific advisory board says.
The board made the statement in a series of messages posted on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, citing “exponential growth” in case counts at roughly 80 percent of public health units, as well as rising numbers. of hospitalizations and test positivity rates.
The scientists also said the sewage signal in most regions is now increasing, pointing to higher levels of viral activity overall.
“Current evidence does not suggest that BA.5 is more severe or causes as large an increase in hospitalizations as previous waves. However, any increase comes at a time when hospitals are already dealing with staff shortages and record wait times, this affects us all,” the table said. “And if BA.5 spreads widely, we may see an increase in deaths among higher-risk groups, such as the elderly, as seen during previous waves.”
The scientific table warning comes as several countries experience a rapid increase in transmission due to the BA.5 subvariant.
In Ontario, where the subvariant is now dominant, most public health indicators are also starting to head in the wrong direction after months of gradual improvement.
The most recent data released by the Health Ministry on June 30 showed a week-over-week increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since May.
The positivity rate in PCR tests also increased, with the seven-day average rising from 7.64 on June 23 to 9.82 on June 30.
Meanwhile, the public health measures that existed during previous waves of the pandemic are no more, including a mask mandate for high-risk settings that ended last month.
Speaking to CP24 on Wednesday afternoon, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said there are currently no plans to revive mask mandates in light of the increase in transmission, but he urged residents of Ontario at risk of a more severe outcome from COVID-19 consider wearing a mask in closed public places.
“This is a worldwide phenomenon. Every country in the Western Hemisphere is experiencing this,” she said of the surge in cases. “As our borders open, as travel returns, it’s only natural that this virus would circulate globally. But Ontario to date is doing very well in minimizing its impact on the health care system.”
The scientific table said that the “increase in hospitalizations will probably be less than previous waves”, but at the same time it pointed out that it will put significant strain on hospitals, given that hospitalizations for COVID-19 “remain higher than in any moment before.” summer.
The table also warns Ontarians that the new subvariant might have some properties that help it evade immunity, meaning people can be re-infected with BA.5 even if they “have recently been infected with a previous strain.” “.
“I would like to point out that there are 5 million Ontarians who have not yet taken advantage of our first booster dose and one million of them are over the age of 50 and in our opinion are at risk of serious outcomes from COVID -19,” Moore said. he told CP24. “So please stay up to date on your vaccinations. I am calling on those 5 million Ontarians who have not taken advantage of the first booster to come forward.”
The scientific table says Ontarians should take a number of precautions as a result of increased transmission, including “wearing a mask again in crowded indoor public spaces” and ventilating indoor spaces as much as possible by opening windows. and doors.