As the Eastern Ontario Health Unit enters into the month of October, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Chief Medical Officer, gives an update on the Covid-19 Pandemic. 
 
Locally, there are 8 active cases in Clarence Rockland, 25 in the United Counties of Prescott-Russel, and 170 in the EOHU as a whole. With 9 people in the hospital, and 4 cases in the ICU, 8 of the 9 are unvaccinated. There are currently 9 ongoing outbreaks, 7 of which are in schools. 
 
Sadly, another death has occured, a 58 year old with underlying health conditions unvaccinated last week
 
While provincial numbers are beginning to stabilize, cases are still high in Cornwall.
 
Dr. Paul then shows statistics showing how although the 4th wave is beginning to flatten, the majority of cases still coming out are not vaccinated, with more stats showing that partial vaccines, although better than being unvaccinated, are still at risk. Results from a months-long study shows a correlation between positivity in wastewater and an increase in positive cases when looking at statistics from the Hawkesbury and Cornwall Wastewater plants. Dr. Paul says that this could be a useful tool in the future to gauge the activity of Covid-19 in a community, and even as an early warning system. 
 
Dr. Paul then shows more graphics that shed more light on the health unit’s current status, including 14 day increases in cases, and positive cases in the region as presented as a 7 day average. With stats showing that the daily case rate has begun to go down in the school age demographic, Dr. Paul also touches on the 40 schools with cases, saying that the majority of them started at home from household contact.
 
In regards to vaccinations Dr. Paul says the health unit is doing quite well, with 88.9% of 12+ individuals having their first dose, 83.1% having their 2nd dose. Altogether, 316, 418 doses have been administered. 
 
When discussing breakout cases among the elderly, Dr. Paul says that all long term care facility personnel have received their third dose, and the next step is to get all senior congregate living and retirement homes occupants their third dose. Further, it is proven that the vaccine does not last as long in the elderly as in the younger demographics.
 
Dr. Paul then shows a graphic which shows the EOHU’s positivity rates and undervaccinated regions, which correlates to hotspots for Covid-19. With the EOHU being approx. 2000 doses away from having its entire 12+ population having their first dose, Dr. Paul is optimistic that it could be done in a week, with the next focus being school age kids. 
 
Dr. Paul explains that with many of the recent cases belonging to that demographic, Pfizer has submitted data to Health Canada, which will hopefully result in Pfizer being accepted for individuals under 12. 
 
Finally, Dr. Paul reminds the public of the new vaccination policy issued by the EOHU for indoor organized events. All coaches, volunteers, officials, involved that are aged 12 and over must be vaccinated. Players who are 12-17 and at a facility for the sole purpose of practicing/competing, are not required to be vaccinated.