Dr. Williams: ‘We are in a 3rd wave, it’s just a matter what kind of wave is it’ – KitchenerToday.com

Dr. Williams: ‘We are in a 3rd wave, it’s just a matter what kind of wave is it’ – KitchenerToday.com

For the first time, the province’s top doctor has confirmed we are, in fact, in a third wave of the pandemic.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams’ comments come as the latest provincial numbers confirmed two additional cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the UK and an additional case of the P.1 variant first detected in Brazil.

There are now 1,136 cumulative cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, 47 cases of the B 1.351 variant, and 35 cases of the P.1 variant first detected in Brazil.

“We are in the third wave it is just a matter of what kind of wave is it,” said Dr. David Williams on Thursday.

“Is it an undulating wave? Is it a rapidly rising breaking wave? Is it going to look like wave two? We don’t know right now.”

Williams adds that we have to be “extra cautious” in the weeks ahead and the next couple of months will be critical.

The wave is being driven by the more contagious variants of concern that continue to account for the majority of new cases.

The Ontario Hospital Association confirms we are now in the third wave, but the Province’s top doctor says it’s to be determined? https://t.co/ByGUcT88ik

— Michelle Mackey (@michellemackey) March 15, 2021

Premier Doug Ford was asked today, given that Toronto and Peel Region continue to lead the case count, do lockdowns really work.

“Some people may think it’s OK to open it wide open and every man, woman, and child for themselves – I don’t believe that,” said Ford.

“I believe we have to be super cautious.”

As the province attempts to ramp up its vaccination efforts, Ontario’s Science Advisory Table said this week that the province has already entered the third wave of COVID-19.

The group says the growth in variant cases is happening across the province with almost two-thirds of public health units experiencing exponential growth.

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) said strong adherence to public health measures is urgently needed to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed in the third wave.

The Premier says he’s always mindful of what the province’s science advisory table has to say, noting that Ontario “can’t let our guard down for one second.”

It comes as Toronto and Peel’s top doctor recommend allowing restrictions in “Grey-Lockdown” to be eased strictly for outdoor events; such as patio dining.

A move Dr. Williams says he will discuss with the medical officers of health.

The province’s test positivity rate is down to 3.1 percent from 3.5 a day ago. Tuesday’s number, 4.5 percent, was the highest positivity rate the province has reported in over a month.

Published at Thu, 18 Mar 2021 21:30:00 +0000