By Cecilia Nasmith
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit announced on Thursday that May will bring an increased number of COVID-19 vaccination clinics to make the shot more accessible, including a new site at Cobourg's Columbus Community Centre.
On the day the press release was issued, Northumberland figures showed 26 new cases (compared to 22 a month ago), 110 cases currently active (compared to 50 a month ago) and, since Jan, 1, 57 hospitalizations and 15 deaths.
The most recent report available shows that wastewater indicators from the Cobourg monitoring site more than doubled in the week between April 6 and 17.
And at this time, only 61.4% of HKPR residents eligible to get boosters had done so.
“We realize there is increasing demand and eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines, so we want to ensure everyone who wants to roll up their sleeve can get the vaccine,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking said.
“Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. Staying up to date on vaccines, including boosters, greatly reduces the risk of serious illness and hospitalization from the virus. It's also important that if someone hasn't yet got a first or second dose, now is the time to get one.”
Fourth doses are now recommended for everyone aged 60 and older – as well as First Nation, Inuit and Metis individuals and their household members aged 18 and older – provided it has been 140 days (or five months) since a third dose.
The health unit offers two ways to get the vaccine.
