COVID-19 contributing to high hospital occupancy rates in HN

Content article

The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit reported Tuesday hospital occupancy rates of more than 90 per cent.

Content article

There are currently five residents in Haldimand-Norfolk hospitals due to COVID-19 resulting in an in-patient occupancy percentage of 95.70. There are two residents in ICUs resulting in an occupancy percentage of 90.

The health unit notes that occupancy data lags by approximately 48 hours.

The HNHU announced this week that it will now report local hospital and intensive care unit hospitalizations but active cases and the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic will not be updated. There will also be reporting of outbreaks in fewer settings based on available data.

The changes have been made due to decreased availability of testing for the general public.

The HNHU was reporting Tuesday only 23 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours but health officials have said the number is more than likely much higher due to limited testing.

There have been 60 deaths recorded in the area since the pandemic began in March of 2020 and there have been 10 other people who tested positive but died from complications attributed to other illnesses.

As of Monday, there were 11 outbreaks in the area with four outbreaks in congregate settings, four in retirement homes and three in long-term care homes.

The HNHU has administered 183,139 doses of the vaccine and there are now 65,527 people who have completed their vaccine series. There have also been 21,416 booster doses administered.

The total number of doses administered in Haldimand-Norfolk is 216,281. Some residents of the area have received a dose outside of the HNHU.

Content article

The percentage of people aged five and older who are fully vaccinated sits at 76.2 per cent and at 80.7 per cent for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. There is 19.3 per cent of the population who is unvaccinated.

The health unit notes that data on vaccinations can be delayed up to 48 hours.

There are a large number of appointments available on the HNHU booking tool with mass clinics being held at Riverside Exhibition Center in Caledonia and at the Simcoe Recreation Center.

Walk-in clinics are now being offered for those aged 65 and older at the Norfolk General Hospital from 10 am to 2 pm and at the Riverside Exhibition Center from 11 am to 3 pm These clinics are only offering Moderna as there is currently a shortage of Pfizer until the end of January.

Due to high demand, walk-ins are no longer being accepted at community clinics, except as noted above.

The GO-VAXX mobile clinic is offering first, second and third doses to eligible individuals at Hagersville Memorial Arena on Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Jarvis Community Center on Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm and Fisherville Lions Community Center on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm Appointments must be made as no walk-ins will be accepted.

GO-VAXX will also offer indoor clinics on Fridays in January at Dunnville Lifespan. Appointments are necessary.

Visit hnhu.org/popup to book an appointment at one of the above clinics.

Those who can’t get to a vaccine clinic can call 519-427-5903 to request free transportation.

Content article

There is also a homebound service for individuals who have difficulty leaving their homes. That program involves two healthcare professionals visiting homes and administering first and second doses in Haldimand and Norfolk.

Visit www.hnhu.org/homeboundvax or call 519-427-5903 for more information on the program.

Visit www.hnhu.org/covid19vaccine/ for more information and for full details about vaccine rollout in Haldimand and Norfolk counties and covid-19.ontario.ca/ for more information on the rollout in Ontario.

The HNHU has updated its testing, isolation and case and contact management guidelines with the following changes:

PCR testing is no longer available for everyone. PCR testing will be available for high-risk individuals, and individuals who work in high-risk settings. Positive rapid antigen tests will no longer require PCR confirmation.

Content article

On Tuesday, Public Health Ontario reported a record number of hospitalizations in the province as well as a record number of adults with the virus admitted to ICUs.

There are currently 3,220 people in Ontario hospitals, an increase from the 2,467 recorded on Monday.

Among those in hospital, 465 are in intensive care with a record 80 adults admitted to ICUs on Monday. Of those in ICUs, 249 are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator, up from 234 on Monday.

As of Monday, more than 53 per cent of all hospital patients tested positive for COVID-19 and 82 per cent of ICU patients are positive.

Ontario also reported 21 deaths on Tuesday and there have now been 10,399 deaths in the province since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020.

There were 7,951 new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Tuesday, however, that number is likely underreported because of limited testing.