'Reasonable' to consider lifting COVID-19 restrictions, but caution still key: Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang

The region's medical officer of health says now is a "reasonable time" for the provincial government to look at lifting COVID-19 restrictions in areas that have successfully controlled the spread of COVID-19.

But Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang also said Friday that people must continue be careful in the weeks and months ahead, which means paying attention to risk factors, ensuring ventilation in a particular environment and know the vaccination status of people around them. 

"It's very possible that the delta variant will spread more easily in indoor environments, and people are going more into indoor environments as the weather gets colder," Wang said at a media briefing.

"We have to really try to balance the lifting of the restrictions with keeping in place some core public health measures that will help reduce the risk in those environments."

Premier Doug Ford's government is expected to announce its new plan for lifting more of Ontario's COVID-19 public health restrictions next week.

While Wang said she doesn't have any information on the province's reopening plan beyond what's been reported in the media, she expects the government to exercise caution and adjust to the plan if needed in the weeks ahead. 

"What I expect is that they will continue to take the best advice of Dr. [Kieran] Moore, the provincial experts, and input of local medical officers of health in their decisions," she said. 

'Need to keep our foot on the gas pedal'

In recent weeks, COVID-19 cases have been stable or trending downward in Waterloo region, Wang said.

"Although this is encouraging news, we need to keep our foot on the gas pedal," she said, adding that anyone eligible who isn't fully vaccinated should get their first or second dose as soon as possible. 

On Friday, the region reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 and six new cases considered a variant of concern. 

There are currently 106 active cases of COVID-19 in the region, a decrease of five from Thursday. Two more people were hospitalized with the virus. 

There are currently six outbreaks in the region. They are at: 

• Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School, with two cases. 
• Grand River Collegiate Institute, with two cases. 
• Parkway Public School, with two cases. 
• Hespeler Public School, with two cases. 
• Trinity Village Studios Retirement Home, with three cases. 
• Garderie des Lutins — Kitchener (a child care centre), with three cases. 

As of Friday, more than 90 per cent of people age 12 and above who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Waterloo region have received a first dose. 

More than 85 per cent of people in that same group have been fully vaccinated.