Unvaccinated population 'will constitute the fourth wave,' Dr. Nathanson says
Simcoe Muskoka's health unit has reported single-digit COVID-19 case counts in recent days, as one expert warns we aren't in the clear yet.
Dr. Barry Nathanson, Stevenson Memorial Hospital's chief of staff, says infection rates will increase as the temperatures dip in the fall.
"I do think it's inevitable," says Nathanson. "Those who are either singly and therefore incompletely vaccinated or those who are unvaccinated, for whatever reason, they will constitute the fourth wave," he says.
Currently, 78 per cent of Simcoe Muskoka adults 18+ have received their first dose of a vaccine, while 64 per cent of children 12 to 17 have had their first Pfizer shot.
Nathanson says he understands why people would have been hesitant about getting the vaccine.
"I had doubts. I had worries. I was amongst the first to get it, but enough time has passed, and millions and millions of doses have been delivered.
We know the risks, and we know the risks of the virus. What I would ask people to do is be dismissive of the misinformation."
Nathanson urges residents to book their appointment for the vaccine or head to a walk-in clinic for their first or second dose.
"There is only one logical choice for most people, and that is to get vaccinated.
That's the best protection for you as an individual. That's the best protection for your family, for our community and for our nation. That's what will get us out of this pandemic as safely as possible and as quickly as possible," he adds.
Complete information on Simcoe Muskoka's COVID-19 vaccination program is available here.
COVID-19 CASES ACROSS SIMCOE MUSKOKA THURSDAY
Three new COVID-19 cases were reported in Simcoe County on Thursday, two in Barrie and one in Springwater.
The health unit says a Springwater man, 18 to 34, contracted the virus through travelling - no further details were provided.
Public health logged 10 infections so far this week and a total of 15 last week.
There are currently 22 active infections, including four COVID-19 positive patients in local hospitals.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.