August 19, 2023 coronavirus update for Oakville

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This is Oakville's coronavirus update for Saturday, August 19, 2023. Test positivity in Halton region was recorded this week at 8.2% for the second week in a row - above the recommended threshold to control the growing spread of COVID-19 locally.

In good news, both local outbreaks have been resolved, meaning there are no active coronavirus outbreaks anywhere in Halton.

Halton continues to fall deep behind on current vaccinations: only 5% of Halton residents have a full series of immunization. Among those 50 and under, those fully immunized has dropped to a worrying 1.4% of the population.

The latest Omicron subvariant EG.5 is now present and infecting cases in Ontario. This has caused province-wide case positivity to reach a year-high 7%. Nationwide, scientists estimate EG.5 is now the cause of more than one-third of new COVID-19 cases.

Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is recommending all eligible Canadians get another COVID-19 booster shot this fall. They've announced updated vaccines are expected in the next several weeks and will target Omicron subvariants.

U.S. hospitalizations from COVID-19 have increased 14.3% this past week, more than double the rate of new infections from just one month ago. This metric has risen every week so far this summer.

Nearly 770 million cases of COVID-19 have now been recorded worldwide since the start of the pandemic, a number that will likely be reached within the next several days.

Confirmed global deaths are nearing 7 million people, though the real count of unofficial deaths is almost certainly millions higher.

**Vaccine booking: All doses and booster doses are now available for anyone in Halton age 5 and up, though fourth doses must be at least five months since your last dose and 90 days since having COVID-19.

Halton continues to book first and second-dose vaccinations for all residents age six months and older, plus third and fourth dose boosters for anyone age 5 and up.

**CLICK HERE to book a first, second, third or fourth vaccination appointment at a Halton Region vaccine clinic

New data from Halton Regional Health this week:

Halton is averaging 2.6 new COVID-19 cases per day. That's 0.1 more cases per day than last week.

  • There are zero active outbreaks in Halton (2 less than last week)
  • 8.2% of locally administered COVID-19 tests are coming back positive (same as last week)
  • 2 people are being treated in hospital for COVID-19 (1 less than last week)

Vaccinations in Halton Region:

  • At least 1.57 million doses have been administered in Halton
  • 90% of Halton residents have at least two doses (the primary series)
  • 5% 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)
  • 58% of eligible residents have a primary series and a booster more than six months ago

Canadian COVID-19 Update:

  • Canada has had 4.57 million cumulative cases of COVID-19
  • There are 570,700 active cases in Canada (+1,300 this week)
  • 2,451 people are currently in hospital (+92 this week)
  • There are 50,637 74 deaths to date (+37 this week)
  • 82.63% of Canadians are fully vaccinated

Global COVID-19 Update:

  • As of May 11, 2023, the United States is no longer tracking new, aggregate daily cases and deaths or new nationwide testing data 
  • U.S. hospitalizations are up 14.3% this past week, more than double the rate from just one month ago
  • U.S. deaths have increased 8.3% this week, having risen every week this month
  • Only 17.0% of Americans are up-to-date with all recommended vaccine booster doses
  • 769.77 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started; 6.95 million people have died

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. 

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