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Elementary school children continue to account for a significant number of reported COVID-19 cases in Brantford and Brant County.
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There were 26 cases reported to the Brant County Health Unit involving children aged four to 13 between Nov. 15 and 28, representing 17 per cent of all cases reported during that time period.
At her media briefing this week, Dr. Rebecca Comley, Brant’s acting medical officer of health, said a sharp increase in cases the previous week was largely being driven by transmission in local elementary schools.
Comley said the realities of this latest pandemic wave, driven by the Delta variant, is much different than what was experienced in the past.
“What we’re seeing in schools is a very different virus than what was seen in past COVID-19 affected school years,” said Comley. “When transmission is being established in classrooms and cohorts, the virus is seldom only affecting a small number of students and staff associated with that group.
“This wasn’t the case in past waves. This is the unfortunate reality of the Delta variant, as it has long since been established as the dominant strain provincially. ”
Comley said once the Delta variant makes it into a household, it’s common to have it spread among family members.
There are currently COVID-19 outbreaks at seven schools in Brantford-Brant, affecting 55 students and a handful of staff. There have been 13 new cases reported at local schools this week, most of them at elementary schools.
Household cases aren’t included in outbreak counts.
“Household cases that are acquired from students or staff would be classified as a close contact or a confirmed case,” said Comley.
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But, she said, there must be careful consideration before schools are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as they were during lockdowns earlier in the pandemic.
“Schools are an integral part of a child’s development,” said Comley. ” Schools should be the last to close and first to open when we are considering any shutdowns. Any decision to disrupt in-class learning needs to weighed very carefully in terms of harms and benefits. ”
As of Nov. 28, seven per cent of children, aged five to 11, in Brantford-Brant had received their first dose of vaccine. Comely said there were nearly 1,600 vaccine appointments booked for children in that age group within the first few hours of the booking portal opening up. It’s estimated there are 12,270 children. aged five to 11, in Brantford-Brant.
Comley said it was “great to see the quick uptake for this age group.”
“Throughout the vaccine rollout, we’ve seen there is an early adapter phase that will slow and then give way to more pronounced, gradual uptake. For those parents and guardians who remain undecided, I would urge vaccinating your newly eligible children as soon as possible.
“Vaccinating children will help to protect them against severe illness, will prevent them transmitting COVID-19 to more vulnerable individuals and will prevent outbreaks in schools that continue to disrupt their education and their childhood.”
The health unit’s vaccine clinics are open to all eligible groups and appointments are available at all of them.
For children who may need extra time or attention during vaccination, Comley said an appointment can be booked at the “family-friendly” clinic at 195 Henry St. The clinic “has been set up and decorated to try and help make children more comfortable” when getting their shot.
Comely said it has never been more important for parents to screen their children daily for symptoms of COVID-19. If they show any symptoms, they should isolate at home and seek testing.