COVID-19 outbreak at Toronto hospital infects some who have received both vaccine doses
Toronto Western Hospital is currently dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak ‘likely’ caused by the Delta variant and health officials say some of those infected had been vaccinated.
The outbreak on a 6th floor area was first declared on June 17 and so far four patients and three staff members have been affected.
According to a notice sent out to University Health Network staff Monday morning, preliminary results show that the majority "are more than likely the Delta variant."
Some of those affected by the outbreak have had either one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
UHN said that all the cases so far are mild.
“I think it's important for everyone to recognize that none of the individuals who have picked up COVID have had any severe disease,” UHN infectious disease specialist Dr. Alon Vaisman told CP24. “They all have been either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic as a result of the COVID.”
The hospital said that it remains critical to continue following infection prevention and control and public health measures, such as masking, social distancing, limiting gatherings and hand-washing to hold the virus at bay.
UHN said that it was sending out the notice to staff in order to encourage them to get family and friends vaccinated and to continue following public health measures.
“It is discouraging that the Delta variant can infect those already vaccinated but critical that we continue with our vaccination efforts so that we can avoid hospitalizations from COVID-19 infections,” the hospital wrote to staff.
Studies have shown that while the Delta variant, first detected in India, is more infectious than other variants that have been identified so far, vaccines are still highly effective at preventing death and serious illness in those who do become infected.
Vaisman said that while the infections are “concerning,” they also demonstrate that the vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness.
“The primary purpose of vaccination is to eliminate that risk of hospitalization or mortality, and to decrease that,” he said. “People getting vaccinated is the best tool we have available to us, it's the best tool we have to prevent what we had recently in the wave three.”
Speaking at a briefing on Ontario’s COVID-19 situation Monday afternoon, Dr. Dirk Huyer, who leads Ontario’s outbreak response said current outbreaks highlight the importance of vaccination.
"Clearly, we want to ensure that we minimize any chance of outbreaks, specifically those in populations that may be vulnerable, given that people in hospital may have other illnesses and this is clearly something that we don't want to occur," Huyer said. "We know that the first dose of all the vaccines that we have- AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer,- all provide a lesser degree of protection from infection, from getting an infection, but do provide significant protection from seriousness of the illness."
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said the outbreak is further evidence that “we cannot take the Delta variant casually.”
Vaisman noted that none of the vaccines are 100 per cent protective against mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, so it is “not surprising” to still see some cases in vaccinated individuals.
“The most important aspect is that none of them have developed any severe disease thus far,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.