Two years after the first COVID-19 case was reported in the Waterloo region

Waterloo Region — Two years ago, the first COVID-19 cases were reported in the Waterloo region.

2 years ago today<印刷中>>, The first COVID-19 case was reported in the Waterloo region.

Regional trends are improving following the latest wave peaks, but the pandemic is not over yet.

“We are still heading in the right direction, but we still need to be careful at this point. COVID-19 continues to be in circulation at a relatively high level, and the impact of the change to public health measures on March 1 is. I don’t know until mid-March, “health officer Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said at a briefing on Friday.

“Vaccination, including boosters, continues to be the best defense against current and future variants. Indoor masking also continues to provide an additional layer of protection.”

On March 5, 2020, Public Health held a media conference to share the news that the first topical case of COVID-19 was identified in a woman who recently returned home after traveling to Italy.

“Overall, we are in a stronger position than we were two years ago,” Wang said.

Of all vaccinated residents, 85% received two doses and 54% received a third booster dose.

“Our efforts as a community to fight with COVID-19 have saved many lives and reduced social turmoil. Thanks to your community for their continued efforts and care. I will do it, “says Wang.

The overall trend is slowly declining or leveling off. Outbreaks in high-risk environments continue to decline and hospitalizations are stable.

However, the king warned that the effects of indoor capacity restrictions and the requirements for proof of vaccination lifted this week by the state would not be known for weeks.

masking

Masks are still needed, but the measure will be abolished by the end of March.

“It may continue to be recommended during high-risk times, such as future respiratory seasons,” Wang said.

Some people may want to continue wearing the mask when it is no longer needed. Wang asks others to respect everyone’s level of comfort as the community emerges slowly from the pandemic.

“It’s naive to think that no one makes fun of people who keep wearing masks, but I keep saying that masks are a way to protect yourself and others,” Wang says. He said.

“For those who want to keep the mask on until it’s more comfortable not to wear it, I fully support it. And whenever I feel the risk is high, I wear it. It may continue and will help protect against other respiratory viruses in future respiratory seasons. “

COVID-19 infections are still high and the exact number is unknown due to testing restrictions in Ontario, but Wang says the situation is very different from the start of a pandemic without the vaccine and the best way is still known. I said I didn’t. To curb the spread of viruses that can overwhelm the healthcare system.

“As long as COVID-19 is with us, there is always a risk, and in fact we can expect to see a future time when the risk will rise again,” Wang said.

Resume

But she also said it was important to move forward in ways to protect people’s general well-being.

“We need to find a balance between what we need to do to prevent the most serious consequences and what we need to do to enable people to resume activities that are also important to their health,” Wang said. increase.

She is cautiously optimistic as the community takes the next step in reopening and activities begin to resume, but the risks are still high and encourage people to move slowly.

“I’m really happy to see that life is back in our community, our business and people are enjoying more of what life in this community offers,” Wang said.

And it’s thanks to the people who play their role in fighting COVID-19.

“I’m really proud and grateful to our community,” Wang said. “A great many people in our community, including our business, quietly stepped up and did what they were asked to do, even though it was very difficult for them. “

COVID-19 number

Another COVID-19 death was reported in a Friday update, reaching a tough milestone for 400 residents who died after being infected with the virus since the start of the pandemic.

The total number of cases increased from 54 to 40,722.

The number of active cases increased by only 3 to 464.

Hospitalization was reduced from 1 to 24, 10 of whom were in the intensive care unit.

The latest Ontario data show that unvaccinated people are 5 to 24 times more likely to die of COVID infection than those who are fully vaccinated at booster doses. increase.

The outbreak remained at 8.