COVID-19 rates in Ontario children surging in sixth wave
COVID-19 rates among Ontario children are surging amidst a wave of cases that is sending more children to the emergency room, according to Ontario figures.
Physicians say schools are likely a place where the disease is spreading fast, urging a return to mask mandates that might provide a barrier to rapid spread in an environment where anyone who is under five is not eligible for vaccinations.
“We’re not in a good place,” Dr. Brett Belchetz, an emergency room doctor, told CTV News Toronto in an interview. “Most schools unfortunately, are a perfect breeding ground for infection. They’re small, closed, crowded crowded spaces and when you’re in a space like that where no one is wearing a mask and you’re talking about an airborne disease that can easily traverse the distance between students, one child with COVID is likely to make many others sick.”
Provincial data shows COVID-19 rates of vaccinated five to 11 year olds have risen about 60 per cent in the past two weeks. Rates for unvaccinated five to 11 year olds have gone up about 76 per cent in that time.
And COVID-19 rates for those under five, who are not eligible to be vaccinated, have more than doubled, rising 108 per cent in the past two weeks.
Emergency room physician Dr. Steve Flindall says he is seeing many people come in under five years old.
“It’s very frustrating. We keep going through this over and over again,” Flindall said, adding that putting unvaccinated children in school with no mask mandate is “like putting fire to tinder.”
“We’ve got to get masks back in place for public settings, especially schools,” he said.
Provincial data says some 75 children have been admitted to hospital between March 21 and April 4, with 55 of them under five years old.
In Toronto’s SickKids hospital, there are 10 paediatric cases. In McMaster, there are less than five. In CHEO, a paediatric hospital and research centre in Ottawa, there are seven children admitted.
Last week’s COVID-19 admissions were the highest since the fifth wave in January, the hospital said, with more than 58 per cent of all admissions COVID-19 related.
Provincial data says one child has died in Ontario from COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said the surge was anticipated when the province removed mask mandates last month.
“With the antiviral medications coming into greater supply across the province, and knowing that we have the capability in our hospitals to manage this, this is something we’re sure we’re able to get through, there is no cause for panic, that this was anticipated,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.