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A recent surge in local COVID-19 cases is the result of increased transmission in elementary schools, says Brant County’s acting medical officer of health.
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“Last week we saw a sharp increase in our local case numbers and indicators,” Dr. Rebecca Comley said during her weekly media briefing Tuesday.
The Brant County Health Unit recorded 95 COVID-19 cases for the week ended Nov. 28, up from 55 a week earlier. Last week’s case count is the highest since 102 cases were recorded for the week ended May 23.
“… The increase is largely being driven by transmission in our local elementary schools and associated transportation,” said Comley. “This is why it’s important that parents take the opportunity to vaccinate their eligible children as soon as possible.”
Of the 95 new cases reported last week, 29 were among children, aged five to 11.
Locally and provincially, public health officials have not seen the same level of transmission in secondary schools and that, Comley said, is not an anomaly.
“Many of these (high school) students have received their COVID-19 vaccine,” she said. “I believe this is why we aren’t seeing a significant amount of spread in high-school settings.”
She said that vaccinating eligible children will protect them against severe illness and help prevent transmission to more vulnerable children and prevent outbreaks in schools.
The health unit began providing vaccinations last week to children, aged five to 11. As of Sunday, 818 children in that age group had received their first dose and a further 1,659 appointments have been booked.
Health unit officials said they are pleased with the vaccine response for the age group and hope that appointments continued to be booked.
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There are about 12,270 children, aged five to 11, in Brantford and Brant County, according to the health unit.
Vaccinations for children, aged five to 11, are by appointment only. They can be booked at www.bchu.org/ServicesWeProvide/InfectiousDiseases/Pages/COVID-19-Vaccines.aspx or at participating local pharmacies.
Comley also urged parents and guardians to reinforce public health measures, including wearing face coverings properly and maintaining physical distance when face coverings can’t be worn.
“We also need parents to ensure they are screening their children every morning before sending them to school,” she said. “We absolutely need our local parents’ assistance in ensuring symptomatic children are not reporting for in-class learning.”
Earlier this week, the Grand Erie District School Board announced it was temporarily closing Agnes G. Hodge School to in-person learning due to a COVID-19 outbreak that was declared Nov. 22. Students will be learning remotely until Dec. 13.
As of Tuesday, there were outbreaks at eight elementary schools and child-care centers in the health unit’s jurisdiction.
So far, there have been no local reports of the new Omicron variant but Comley said she wouldn’t be surprised if the variant makes its way to Brantford-Brant.
“The province is sequencing every positive test result so if Omicron is present locally, it will be identified,” she said. “In the absence of key data and vital information, we need to remain calm.
“We can be concerned and not panic.”
Comley said the community has dealt with new COVID-19 variants and public health measures that help reduce their spread, including vaccines, are already in place.
“We just need to stay the course.”
At the same time, Comley said it’s increasingly important to isolate and seek assessment and testing should COVID symptoms appear. Identifying and isolating potential cases are the best ways to prevent spread beyond vaccination, she said.
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