‘I am concerned’: Dr. Kieran Moore wary of new COVID-19 strain in Ontario

With Fall weather upon us and newer strains of COVID-19 in circulation, Ontario’s top doctor tells CityNews he’s worried about a possible resurgence of the virus.

“I am concerned. We’re watching what’s going on in Europe right now with the newer strain of Omicron that’s circulating and health system impact,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

“We’re starting to see an increase in hospitalization, a subtle increase in the use of our intensive care unit. All of those metrics early on before winter hits, before we go indoors, has made me anxious that we must continue strengthening that wall of immunity that Ontarians have already built.”

Data released by the province today reveals that 1,629 patients are currently in Ontario hospitals with COVID-19, while patients with the virus occupy 143 intensive care beds.

“Seeing this trend early in October of increase in hospitalization, increase in intensive care units and watching newer strains in Europe has got me concerned,” added Dr. Moore.

The province’s top doctor believes those Omicron variants, in addition to the threat posed by flu season, could put additional strain on hospitals in the coming weeks and months. Much is still unknown about the new COVID-19 strains, including how the variants will respond to vaccines.

“We’re watching a couple of particular strains in Ontario. One is BA.2.75, the other is B.21.1. These are Omicron strains that we hope the vaccines will have additional protection against,” said Dr. Moore.

“They seem to be just starting at roughly 5 per cent of the detection in Ontario, but they seem to have an advantage that allows them to take over, and that’s what we’re watching closely.”

The importance of vaccinations

As new Omicron variants continue to emerge, Dr. Moore is urging Ontarians to get boosted against the virus. The push comes as those 12 and up become eligible for a bivalent vaccine for the first time in the province.

The Moderna bivalent vaccine is widely available, while an updated Pfizer vaccine will be released on October 17. Appointments for that particular shot can already be made in advance.

“This booster being protective against both the original strain and Omicron strains, I think is what we need to protect our health system and each other going forward,” said Moore.

“We need this level of protection to protect each other and our health system going forward in what could be a difficult winter for us across Ontario.”

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Ontario can administer around 80,000 vaccines per day. The province says 185,274 doses were administered over the past seven days ending October 13. The shots are available through a mix of local public health agencies, mass vaccination clinics, pharmacies and some primary care physicians.

The flu shot is already available to high-risk residents and will become available to all Ontarians on November 1.

“We’ve got a narrow window to prevent impacts on our health system that typically we see in December and January, and now’s the time to take heed, take notice and get boosted both for influenza and COVID,” Dr. Moore said.

The threat of new restrictions

While most pandemic restrictions were lifted across Ontario months ago, Dr. Moore says he’s keeping a close eye on critical metrics and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend new COVID-19 masking guidelines if necessary.

“We’re monitoring the hospitalization rate, the hospital capacity to care for Ontarians, the ICU bed availability,” the top doctor noted.

“If there’s a threat to our health care system, if we can’t care for Ontarians at the right time, at the right place, I will be speaking to the government and asking that we have a stronger recommendation for masking at a broader level if that occurs and then potentially a requirement, but we’re certainly not there yet.”

While masks remain optional in the province, Dr. Moore recommends them for large population segments.

“We’re recommending still anyone at risk of this virus, if you’re older, you’re immune-suppressed, as you go indoors, take a bus or go on the subway, please continue to wear a mask. That is an important layer of protection and getting boosted,” he said.

“The risk is going up day by day across Ontario. We all need to maintain those same protections that have gotten us through previous waves.”