HURON-PERTH – While a high percentage of senior Huron-Perth residents are now triple-vaccinated, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) continues to report a number of active outbreaks in regional long-term care and retirement homes.
HPPH listed seven such outbreaks on its online portal as of Monday, Jan. 24, including the largest at Wingham’s Braemar Retirement Centre. Braemar was declared in outbreak on Jan. 12, and now reports COVID-19 cases in 20 residents and 12 staff members. An outbreak was also declared on Jan. 12 at Milverton’s Knollcrest Lodge, with 10 total cases (one resident, nine staff), and on Jan. 2 at Listowel’s Caressant Care Retirement Home with five resident cases.
The outbreak at the Stratford General Hospital site has been declared over. Four outbreaks in congregate living settings remain active.
Dr. Miriam Klassen, HPPH medical officer of health, reported on Jan. 19 that 89 per cent of Huron-Perth residents aged 70 and older have received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine; 79 per cent of all residents aged five and older have been fully vaccinated.
Regionally, 79 people have passed away due to complications associated with the virus since the onset of the pandemic nearly two years ago.
“Take every vaccine for which you are eligible at your earliest opportunity,” said Klassen. “The best vaccine is whichever one is available.”
Klassen added that according to the Ontario Science Advisory Table, the rate of hospitalizations is now five times higher while ICU admittance is 12 times higher amongst the unvaccinated population compared to those with at least two doses of vaccine.
