Ontario has likely entered new COVID-19 wave driven by BA.5 subvariant, science table warns
Ontario has likely entered a new wave of the pandemic driven by the more infectious BA.5 subvariant, the province’s science advisory table says.
The table made the declaration in a series of messages posted to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, citing “exponential growth” in case counts in about 80 per cent of public health units as well as rising hospitalization numbers and test positivity rates.
The scientists also said that the wastewater signal in most regions is now rising, pointing to higher levels of viral activity overall.
“Current evidence does not suggest BA.5 is more severe or that it will lead to a rise in hospitalizations as large as previous waves. However, any surge comes at a time when hospitals are already dealing with staff shortages and record wait times – this impacts all of us,” the table said. “And if BA.5 spreads widely, we may see a rise in deaths among higher risk groups such as the elderly as was observed during the previous waves.”
The warning from the science table comes as a number of countries experience a rapid rise in transmission due to the BA.5 subvariant.
In Ontario, where the subvariant is now dominant, most public health indicators are also starting to head in the wrong direction after months of gradual improvement.
The most recent data released by the Ministry of Health on June 30 showed a week-over-week increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since May.
The positivity rate on PCR tests was also up, with the seven-day average going from 7.64 on June 23 to 9.82 on June 30.
Meanwhile, the public health measures that existed during previous waves of the pandemic are now all gone, including a mask mandate for high-risk settings that was terminated last month.
Speaking with CP24 on Wednesday afternoon, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said there are currently no plans to revive mask mandates in light of the rise in transmission but he did urge Ontarians at risk of a more severe outcome from COVID-19 to consider wearing a mask in indoor public settings.
“This is a global phenomenon. All countries in the western hemisphere are experiencing this,” he said of the uptick in cases. “As our borders are opening, as travel returns it is natural that this virus will circulate globally. But Ontario to date is doing very well at minimizing its impact on the health care system.”
The science table did say that the “rise in hospitalizations will likely be smaller than earlier waves,” but at the same time it noted that it will place significant stress on hospitals, given that COVID-19 hospitalizations “remain higher than at any time last summer.
The table is also warning Ontarians that the new subvariant could have some properties which will help it evade immunity, meaning that individuals can be re-infected by BA.5 even if they have “recently been infected with an earlier strain.”
“I would like to just point out that there are 5 million Ontarians who still haven't taken advantage of our first booster dose and one million of them are over 50 and in our opinion at risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19,” Moore told CP24. “So please stay up to date with your vaccinations. I appeal to those 5 million Ontarians that haven't taken advantage of the first booster to please come forward.”
The science table says that Ontarians should take a number of precautions as a result of the rise in transmission, including “going back to wearing a mask again in crowded indoor public spaces” and ventilating indoor spaces as much as possible by opening windows and doors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.