‘Hope isn’t a strategy’: Ontario needs new pandemic response as Omicron makes inroads: experts
Posted December 12, 2021 12:36 pm.
Last Updated December 12, 2021 4:42 pm.
Experts say Ontario needs to look at pivoting its COVID-19 response as the Omicron variant rapidly spreads.
There are 62 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Ontario, and the province’s expert science advisory group estimates that 11 per cent of cases are caused by the new variant.
Based on trends seen in Omicron-dominant regions, one infectious diseases physician says strategies must be developed for scenarios where up to 10,000 people or more are testing positive for the virus each day.
Dr. Zain Chagla says Ontario should plan how to prioritize resources in case that happens, because the current approach to testing and tracing the contacts of every infected person would not work with so many cases.
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He says there should also be a plan for the possibility that a large percentage of the essential workforce could be forced to isolate after virus exposures.
Some doctors and medical experts suspect that the Omicron variant is causing milder COVID-19 symptoms than Delta, even if it seems to be spreading faster. Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch says that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down.
“Does the Omicron variant result in a milder illness? We all hope it does, but it’s currently unclear and hope is not a strategy,” Bogoch tweeted on Sunday.
“Best to be proactive with a strategy for accelerated 1st, 2nd & 3rd vaccine doses, both here in Canada and globally.”
Does the Omicron variant result in a milder illness?
We all hope it does, but it's currently unclear & hope is not a strategy.
Best to be proactive with a strategy for accelerated 1st, 2nd & 3rd vaccine doses, both here in Canada & globally.
— Isaac Bogoch (@BogochIsaac) December 12, 2021
Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Kwong says Ontario’s booster dose plan was based on the Delta variant, but the expected rapid spread of Omicron could mean vulnerable people are exposed before they get a third shot.
“Omicron is hitting Canada at the worst possible time – although we have high 2-dose coverage, we have low 3-dose coverage (needed vs. Omicron), vaccinators are burnt out, and the public is fed up with COVID and just want to gather this holiday season,” Kwong wrote on Twitter. “Tsunami coming.”
Kwong says the priority should go to quickly vaccinate the vulnerable with booster doses in the coming weeks to keep the health system afloat.
“There are 2.77 million Ontarians aged 65+, and 2.33M haven’t received dose 3 yet,” Kwong said. “There are 12 days to Christmas — no way we can protect everyone in time. Please reconsider your holiday gatherings — let’s not give Omicron to our unprotected elders.”
Anthony Dale, President of the Ontario Hospital Association, says the new variant undoubtedly poses a risk to the province’s healthcare system.
“We are in a race against time and must do everything possible to get each age group fully vaccinated,” Dale said.
“As the scientific community continues to determine the risks that Omicron poses globally, there’s one thing that every Ontarian can do now to protect themselves and others from variants of concern — and that’s getting vaccinated, if eligible to do so.”
Ontario reported 1,476 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and eight additional deaths. The seven-day average in the province has now exceeded 1,200 after entering the month at 821.
“Vaccines offer the highest level of protection against COVID-19 and those who are eligible and unvaccinated are truly playing a dangerous game by leaving themselves and others vulnerable to this evolving threat,” Dale said.
