The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit reported Wednesday a sharp decrease in the number of people receiving care for COVID-19 in one of the area’s three hospitals.
After there were 20 people hospitalized last week, the HNHU announced there are 10 people currently receiving care. None of the cases was in intensive care last week and there is one person this week.
New COVID-19 cases have not been updated on the HNHU website since Oct. 31.
There have been 93 COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic started in March 2020 and there have also been an additional 36 people who had tested positive for the virus but died from complications attributed to other illnesses.
In-patient capacities at the area’s three local hospitals has decreased from 106.7 per cent last week to 103.5 per cent while the ICU rate remains stable at 75 per cent. The rates are current as of Monday.
Capacities are based on the percentage of beds that are full at any time, regardless of the reason for admission. There are 164 in-patient beds at Haldimand-Norfolk’s three hospitals and 10 ICU beds.
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 refers to local residents who were admitted due to COVID-19.
The number of outbreaks in the area has increased from last week. There are currently five outbreaks in high-risk settings – two at long-term care homes and one each at an other congregate setting, retirement home and a non-COVID-19 outbreak.
There were three outbreaks last week.
The HNHU has administered 235,173 doses of the vaccine. There are now 67,597 people who have completed their vaccine series. There have also been 30,470 booster doses administered.
The total number of doses administered in Haldimand-Norfolk is 276,062. Some residents of the area have received a dose outside of the HNHU.
The percentage of people aged six months and older who are fully vaccinated sits at 75.9 per cent and at 78.4 per cent for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. There is 21.6 per cent of the population who are unvaccinated.
The health unit notes that data on vaccinations can be delayed up to 48 hours.
Vaccination clinics will be held today (Wednesday) at the Dunnville Health Unit from 9:30 am to 3:15 pm and at the Jarvis Community Center (GOVAXX – indoor) from 10 am to 5 pm; on Thursday at the HNHU’s Simcoe office from 9 am to 3:45 pm and at Cayuga Kinsmen Hall (GOVAXX – indoor) from 10 am to 5 pm; on Friday at Caledonia library from 11 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 3:15 pm; and on Saturday at Langton Arena (GOVAXX – bus) from 10 am to 5 pm
Visit hnhu.org/popup to book an appointment for a first, second or booster dose at one of the above clinics.
Health Canada has authorized the use of Pfizer pediatric vaccine for infants aged six months to five and also the Moderna bivalent vaccine as a booster dose to those aged 18 and older.
Health Canada has also authorized the use of a Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine for those aged five to 11 and a Moderna vaccine for those aged six months to five.
Those aged 18 and older are eligible for a booster (fourth dose). Boosters are recommended at an interval of five months (140 days) after the previous dose but can be taken after three months (84 days).
Anyone who has recently had COVID-19 is still eligible for a first, second or booster dose but should wait until they are out of isolation and symptoms have resolved.
Novavax is available to residents in Haldimand and Norfolk by appointment (email [email protected] or call 519-427-5903).
Those who can’t get to a vaccine clinic can call 519-427-5903 to request free transportation.
There is also a homebound service for individuals who have difficulty leaving their homes. This 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.