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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.