May 18, 2024 coronavirus update for Oakville

This is Oakville's coronavirus update for Saturday, May 18, 2024. After four weeks of COVID-19 case numbers rising locally, the latest report before the long weekend shows a small decline in transmission through Halton.

Previously, cases were rising locally in a clear trend, with Oakville's case load have gone up by 25 per cent or more for three weeks in a row. The average is now at 5.3 cases per week, a seven per cent decline.

Testing positivity, however, has shot up, almost doubling in the last seven days. 1 in 7 tests are now coming back positive - and that figure only counts professionally conducted PCR tests, meaning the true percentage is much higher.

Two outbreaks have been resolved in Halton this week, both at undisclosed locations. Halton region is now averaging just under 40 new cases per week.

Halton Regional Health has greatly updated its data for local vaccinations, reporting that just 6 per cent of adults in the region are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. A total of 60 per cent have had the base two doses and one (or more) booster shots since 2021.

Nationwide, Canada reports their total number of active cases and hospitalizations have gone up substantially since last week. 95 per cent of the adult population has had at least one dose of vaccine.

In the U.S., the CDC is warning of a new variant discovered from the JN.1 strain. The CDC estimates nearly one-third of all new North American cases are of this new strain.

The global confirmed count of cases surpassed 775 million in mid-April, counting worldwide since the start of the pandemic. 7 million people worldwide have died due to COVID-19, though the real count of unofficial deaths is millions higher.

**Vaccine booking: All doses and booster doses are now available for anyone in Halton age 5 and up. First doses are available for those six months and older.

While Halton's vaccine clinics are now closed, most pharmacies and health care centres are offering all numbered doses and boosters to patients.

**CLICK HERE to book a vaccination appointment at a local pharmacy or primary care office for any numbered dose of vaccine, including all boosters

New data from Halton Regional Health as of this week:

Halton is averaging 5.3 new COVID-19 cases per day, a small decrease from last week's 5.7 average daily cases.

• There are 3 active outbreaks in Halton (2 less than last week)
• 14.8% of locally administered COVID-19 tests are coming back positive (6.5% more than last week)
• 3 people are being treated in hospital with COVID-19 (1 more than last week)

Vaccinations in Halton Region:

• At least 1.67 million doses have been administered in Halton
• 94% of Halton residents have at least two doses (the primary series)
• 6% of eligible Halton residents (age 12+) are up to date on their booster shots (have had the primary series and a booster dose in the last six months)
• 54% of eligible residents have a primary series and a booster more than six months ago

Canadian COVID-19 Update:

• Canada has had 4.67 million cumulative cases of COVID-19
• There are 670,250 active cases in Canada (+550 this week)
• 2,349 people are currently in hospital (+40 this week)
• There are 52,610 deaths to date (+4 this week)
• 82.54% of Canadians have at least two doses of vaccine
• 51.60% of Canadians are vaccinated including one or more booster doses

Global COVID-19 Update:

• U.S. hospitalizations are down 7.6% this past week
• U.S. deaths have decreased 0.7% this week
• Americans up-to-date with all recommended vaccine booster doses are no longer being reported by the CDC
• 775.43 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started; 7.04 million people have died
• 29,600 people worldwide have been infected in the last seven days

The evidence is clear: though transmission has dramatically slowed, vaccination (including all recommended booster shots) is still the best way to be protected from contracting COVID-19. 

Local, provincial, national and international health units affirm the same data that Canada's approved vaccines and all boosters effectively protect you from COVID-19 and significantly reduces your risk of getting sick, going to the hospital, and dying from the disease. 

Book a vaccination appointment for any numbered dose of vaccine, including all boosters, online here

Sources: 

• Halton Region (and halton.ca/covid19)
• Halton Healthcare
• Joseph Brant Hospital
• HDSB COVID Advisory Page
• The Government of Ontario dashboard
• Public Health Ontario COVID-19 Data Tool
• Government of Canada
• COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker Canada
• The U.S. Centre for Disease Control
• Our World in Data
• Johns Hopkins University Research Centre
• World Health Organization