With mandates being slowly lifted, the region has passed the peak of the Omicron variant, says the region's medical officer of health.
There was a glimmer of hope from Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region’s medical officer of health, during Friday's weekly update. She says that better days are ahead as vaccine mandates are about to be lifted in Waterloo region.
She emphasized this is due to the community stepping up to protect one another.
Although restrictions are easing, the region still recommends that people be mindful of others and continue to get vaccinated. Wang warns the pandemic is not over and the virus is still spreading.
“Omicron is continuing to circulate, but we are coming down from the peak of the wave. I'm also continuing to recommend that residents get vaccinated, including getting your booster dose,” she says.
New infections, hospital rates and outbreaks are all declining according to Wang.
“Hospitals continue to be under pressure though, due to large numbers still in hospital recovering from COVID but no longer part of the numbers because they are no longer infectious.”
The region has given approximately 288,049 third doses and approximately 65 per cent of those who are eligible for their third dose have received it. Vicki Murray, head of the vaccine distribution task force, says they need around 10,000 more residents to get their first dose to reach their goal of 90 per cent of eligible people with at least one dose.
Over the next few weeks the Pinebush mass vaccination site in Cambridge is entering a wind down phase and will shift to more of an outreach model. They will still offer vaccinations by walk-in.
