Because COVID-19 will not be taking a break this holiday weekend, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit reminds everyone not to let up on the prevention measures they have followed for so long.
The press release noted that cases continue to surge in Ontario, driven by the even-more-infectious Omicron subvariant BA2. Locally, there have been a significant rise in viral signal from the municipal wastewater sites in Cobourg and Lindsay, an increasing number of lab-confirmed cases and new outbreaks in the highest-risk settings – all putting us in the midst of a sixth wave of the virus.
“As many of us gather with family and friends this weekend to mark spring festivities like Easter, Passover and Ramadan, let's be sure to celebrate safely and, most importantly, stay home if you're sick,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking said.
Recommended precautions against the spread of COVID-19 include a strong recommendation to wear a proper-fitting three-layer mask if gathering with others indoors.
Anyone who is experiencing even mild symptoms is advised to stay home and not visit with others. If someone is unsure what to do, directions are provided in Ontario's on-line self-assessment tool. If someone uses a Rapid Antigen Test and gets a positive result, he or she should assume that is correct and isolate as required – isolation information is available on the Ontario government website.
Before visiting anyone, the health unit encourages everyone to ensure they have received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for better protection against the virus (as well as a reduced risk of hospitalization).
Dr. Bocking hopes everyone to avoid the three Cs – closed spaces, crowded places and close faces – in light of the surging case numbers.
“For instance, indoor spaces that aren't well ventilated can increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading, so open a window if indoors, oi take the celebration outdoors if the weather permits,” she said.
“Reduce the risk further by sticking with smaller gatherings, not large ones. In addition, wear a tight-fitting mask if visiting indoors, especially if someone in attendance is at higher risk of sever COVID-19 due to age or medical reasons.”
To recap, anyone visiting others should stay home if even mild symptoms are present, be up-to-date on COVID shots (including boosters) and wear masks if visiting indoors with others.
Anyone hosting a get-together should let guests know in advance what your expectations are around COVID-19 protocols (such as mask use). Open doors and windows to increase ventilation or, even better, take the celebration outside (weather permitting).
Remember hand hygiene – wash thoroughly and often – and direct those sneezes and coughs into your sleeve.
Dr. Bocking noted that pandemic fatigue is real, and that the mental health of many has suffered due to isolation and COVID-19 restrictions.
“Visiting others can be a remedy to give us a boost and help us reconnect with loved ones, especially at these special times of year,” she said.