Ontario will have different rules for unvaccinated students this September
Ontario's top doctor says thousands of unvaccinated students will face different isolation rules compared to their vaccinated peers in September.
Dr. Kieran Moore said the province's outbreak management plan for the new school year applies separate sets of rules based on vaccination status – and cautioned those who have yet to receive a vaccine they will be forced to learn from home if they're exposed to COVID-19.
Fully immunized students and staff would face minimal interruption from work or school if they come in contact with a "high-risk" carrier of the virus and test negative for COVID-19, Moore said.
"Terrific advantage of being two-dose immunized by being able to stay in school and attend sports and participate fully in all of the social activities of the school setting," Moore told reporters during his weekly COVID-19 update.
Unvaccinated students and staff, Moore said, would immediately have to isolate for a minimum of 10 days and require at least two negative COVID-19 tests, seven days apart, before returning to school.
"If that test on day seven is positive, you're off for another 10 days," Moore cautioned. "That is a potential of 20 days from schools directly because you weren’t immunized and because you’re infectious to others and putting others at risk."
The warning comes as the province struggles to convince more then 300,000 students eligible Ontario students to get their initial vaccine, despite accelerating the timeline between doses to 28 days after the first shot.
While the policy change had a dramatic impact on second doses, provincial data shows fewer residents in the 12-to-17 age range were signing up for a shot over the month of July, even as vaccine clinics started throwing open the doors for walk-in appointments.
Over the month of July, demand for a second dose among youth skyrocketed by 500 per cent. During the same period however demand for a first dose increased by just 13 per cent.
Now, with six weeks remaining until students are back in the classroom, provincial vaccine data shows 65 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 have received one dose, while 42 per cent have been fully immunized.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch told CP24 it's never been more convenient for the 333,000 eligible Ontario students who have yet to be vaccinate to get their shot.
"There's a ton of vaccines available, there's walk-in appointments, these are readily available just about everywhere in the province," Bogoch said.
"So if people are really wanting to be fully vaccinated before going back to school, now is the time to do it."
In order to be fully immunized before the start of the school year, families will have to pay close attention to the calendar.
For example, a student who received partial immunity on July 27, will be eligible for a second dose on Aug. 22, giving them the complete benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine just days before schools reopen.
NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles is calling on the Doug Ford government to "push, push, push" the vaccine ahead of the school reopening.
"The government has done very little to proactively push for that vaccination … they have not used all the tools at their disposal," Stiles said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Fine dining, at a new high. A Michelin-starred chef will take his cuisine to our upper atmosphere
Six guests are set to ascend aboard Spaceship Neptune to the stratosphere, where they will enjoy an immersive dining experience served up by Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk.