Gatherings in 'unregulated environments' a key culprit in this latest COVID rise
A joint letter from 3 health units say limit gatherings, work remotely
Public health officers at three southwestern Ontario health units are issuing new recommendations in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 amid a concerning outbreak of the Omicron variant in London, Ont.
Medical officers of health representing Middlesex-London, Oxford-Elgin and Huron-Perth held a joint news conference Thursday, recommending indoor gatherings in private dwellings be limited to 10 people as case counts and positivity rates for COVID-19 trend upward. Anyone older than 12 at those gatherings should be vaccinated, health officials said.
Dr. Alex Summers, acting medical officer of health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said the spike in cases is being driven by social gatherings in private spaces and there are concerns more holiday gatherings will continue to fuel new cases.
When asked why people are being asked to curtail Christmas parties when malls and sporting venues are open, Summers said the decision was based on where new cases of COVID-19 are being contracted.
"Transmission in the last six to eight weeks is being driven by transmission in unregulated, familiar environments," he said. "The type of environment where one isn't wearing a mask is up close and personal with a friend, family or close co-worker in an environment where mandates for vaccination are not required."
Joining Summers in the announcement was Dr. Miriam Klassen of Huron Perth Public Health and Dr. Joyce Lock of Southwestern Public Health.
Also being recommended by the health units:
- All unvaccinated people older than 12 avoid non-essential contact with anyone not in their household.
- Whenever possible, people should work remotely to limit transmission at workplaces.
Summers said the recommendations could be amended or upgraded if cases continue to rise. A statement released by the three health units said the new steps are necessary to avoid the health care system becoming overwhelmed.
Summers also repeated the call for everyone eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to get their shots, saying data continues to show that even in cases of breakthrough infection, those who contract the virus while fully vaccinated have less severe outcomes.
Summers acknowledged that calls for new limits on social gatherings will not be welcome as the holiday season approaches.
"We know that this is not the news that people are wanting to hear on December 9," said Summers. "We know that the excitement for the festive season is very real and this casts a pall over that."
There have been 277 cases of COVID-19 in Middlesex-London in December, 302 cases in Elgin-Oxford and 32 cases in Huron-Perth.
As of Thursday, there are 569 active cases of COVID-19 across the three health units, including 311 in Middlesex-London, 199 in Oxford-Elgin and 59 in Huron-Perth.
Summers pointed to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in London this week as a key reason to again limit holiday gatherings.
The Omicron variant was confirmed in London this week and connected to a cluster of 50 associated COVID-19 cases. Summers said Thursday four of those cases are Omicron variant infections confirmed through genome sequencing. The cluster has been connected to a south London church, 18 households and the following schools:
- Saint André Bessette Catholic Secondary School (open)
- St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School (closed)
- Saint Marguerite D'Youville Catholic Elementary School (closed)
- St Mary Choir Catholic Elementary School (closed).
- Delaware Central School (open).
- Princess Elizabeth Public School (closed).
The cluster has also affected the Kid Zone Daycare Centre.
And although the Omicron outbreak has so far been limited to London, Klassen said the rise in cases is a concern throughout the region.
"We continue to see a steady stream of new cases in Huron-Perth, and many are associated with social gatherings and events," says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. "The more contacts you have, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spreading to you or your loved ones."