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
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers 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.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.