May 20, 2023 coronavirus update for Oakville

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This is Oakville's coronavirus update for Saturday, May 20, 2023. The town of Oakville and all of Halton region report a substantial increase in new, active cases of COVID-19.

Oakville reported a 50% increase in new cases just this week, while Halton's increase of local cases from last week was nearly 65%.

The outbreak that opened last week at Oakville's West Oak Village long-term care home, originally only on the Bronte floor, has now expanded to Harbour and Williams floors as well. Two other outbreaks have also opened in other parts of Halton.

Halton continues to fall behind on our booster shots: only 1 of every 8 people in Halton have a full series of immunization, and the percentage of residents with outdated immunization has grown every week since the start of 2023. Among those 50 and under, those fully immunized is now below 10%.

The United States this week has said they and the CDC will no longer be tracking new, aggregate daily COVID-19 cases and deaths or new nationwide testing data.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared last week that after more than three years, the COVID-19 global health emergency is now over. WHO has determined that "COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)."

765 million cases of COVID-19 have now been recorded worldwide since the start of the pandemic; 6.9 million people have died.

**Vaccine booking: Fourth doses (second booster doses) of vaccine 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-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

Oakville COVID-19 Update:

  • 23 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported (8 more than last week)
  • 4 people were hospitalized (2 more than last week)
  • No new deaths (1 less than last week)
  • 1 active outbreaks in Oakville - no change

Halton COVID-19 Update:

  • 56 new cases of COVID-19 (22 more than last week)
  • 6 people were hospitalized (2 more than last week)
  • No new deaths (1 less than last week)
  • 3 active outbreaks in Halton - plus 1

Vaccinations in Halton Region:

  • At least 1.56 million doses have been administered in Halton
  • 93% of Halton residents have at least two doses (the primary series)
  • 12% 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)
  • 51% of eligible residents have a primary series and a booster more than six months ago

Ontario COVID-19 Update: (as of April 15, 2023)

  • There have been 1.60 million cases in Ontario to date
  • 16,404 deaths to date (+36 this week)
  • 812 people are in hospital with COVID-19 (+29 this week)
  • There are 80 people in ICU (+6 this week)

Summary of provincial vaccinations

Canadian COVID-19 Update:

  • Canada has had 4.56 million cumulative cases of COVID-19
  • There are 557,500 active cases in Canada (+2,100 this week)
  • 2,976 people are currently in hospital (-62 this week)
  • There are 50,349 deaths to date (+30 this week)
  • 82.70% of Canadians are fully vaccinated (+0.0015%)

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. cases to date are now above 105 million; 1.13 million have died
  • Only 17.0% of Americans are up-to-date with all recommended vaccine booster doses
  • 766.40 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started; 6.93 million people have died

The evidence is clear: vaccination (including all recommended booster shots) is still the best way to be protected. Local, provincial, national and international health units affirm the same data that Canada's approved vaccines effectively protect you from COVID-19 and significantly reduces your risk of getting sick, going to the hospital, and dying from the disease. 

Pictured right is a graph from Halton region last year showing how dramatically your risk of getting sick or being admitted to hospital is when vaccinated - numbers that have remained consistent since vaccine deployment began in early 2021.

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