BRANTFORD/SIX NATIONS — A small rise in local COVID-19 infections is expected this season as colder temperatures push events and people indoors. This from Dr. Rebecca Comley, Acting Medical Officer of Health with the Brant County Health Unit.
“Last week, there were 46 cases of COVID-19 locally. We are experiencing an increase in both our local case numbers and key indicators. This rise is not unexpected. As the weather changes and more people are driven indoors, we will see case numbers increase,” said Dr. Comley.
On Six Nation case counts have risen once again to 8 new infections with 3 people hospitalized.
In Brant County, Dr. Comley says that 89 percent of cases in the region were in unvaccinated individuals. Only one percent of cases in Brantford/Brant were in people fully vaccinated.
Another notable rise in the Brantford/Brant cases was an increase in youth being infected. Just about half of the local cases were in youth under the age of 20 — indicating a rise in case traced back to schools and school transportation.
Last week, the Province announced the expansion of third-dose booster eligibility. In accordance with this, the Brant County Health Unit has begun offering booster doses to the following populations:
- Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
- Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers);
- Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members.
Booster eligible individuals on Six Nations can receive a third dose if they have been 6 months past their last dose. Those seeking a booster can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Call Centre at 226-227-9288.
