HURON-PERTH – Mirroring an upward trend throughout the province this month, COVID-19 case numbers have continued on an upward trajectory in the region, according to the latest data from Huron-Perth Public Health (HPPH).
Active cases in the region reached 62 at the time of HPPH’s bi-weekly media conference on Nov. 10; based on Nov. 15 they stood at 60, with ten active in North Perth and 15 in Perth East. Morris-Turnberry reported three cases, while Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh had two and Huron East had five.
HPPH Medical Officer of Health Dr. Miriam Klassen said that residents should be wary of the uptick in positive cases, while everyone should continue to do their part in helping to curb transmission in an effort to keep all facilities open and operating in a safe manner.
“We continue to see a steady number of new cases, and not what I would call moderate levels of community transmission in Huron-Perth,” said Klassen. “The more community transmission of the virus, the more likely for outbreaks in schools, workplaces and other settings.
“It’s very important that we continue to work together to increase vaccination rates, and maintain some public health measures.”
Klassen outlined that approximately 9,000 residents aged 12 and older are yet to be vaccinated in Huron-Perth. There are also approximately 18,000 children under 12 in the region who remain at risk of contracting the virus.
“This is a large population that could be come affected and continue to drive transmission,” she said, adding that full vaccination remains the best defense against COVID-19, and that while those who have received two jabs or more can still become infected, their chances of experiencing severe symptoms or require hospitalization are much lower than an individual who is unvaccinated. “This should be a concern for everybody. We all need to work together.”
Roughly 85.2 per cent of all Huron-Perth residents aged 12 and older have received one dose of the vaccine, while 82.1 per cent are fully vaccinated. Over 3,000 third doses have been administered, with those aged 70 or older or working in the health care sector eligible to receive a third dose. Residents in this demographic must have also received their second dose of the vaccine for at least six months.
Klassen also said that with the holiday season fast approaching and the likelihood of more in-person social gatherings, residents need to remain diligent. Limiting social engagements or conducting virtual gatherings continues to be recommended.
“If we continue to push up vaccination rates and maintain some public health measures, we can keep transmission controlled,” she said. “And of course what we’d like to do, and I think everyone would agree, is to keep schools and workplaces open.”
The outbreak at Huron Christian School in Clinton that affected seven students has now been declared over. The outbreak at Milverton Public School remained in effect as of Monday, with 16 students and one staff member initially reporting cases to HPPH.
