THUNDER BAY – The COVID-19 situation in Thunder Bay is as good as it’s been since last November.
The outlook is also far better, said Dr. Janet DeMille, the medical officer of health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
On Wednesday, the region’s case count dipped to nine, the first time it had been in single digits since Nov. 7, and DeMille said it’s a combination of good weather, people continuing to take the virus seriously and the escalating number of vaccines being given out.
“We obviously had a huge surge back in February and March,” said DeMille, noting the district reached as high as 470 on March 11.
“To be at nine today is tremendous. I think it really shows the commitment people have to follow the public health measures and overall being compliant with them. We wouldn’t be where we are right now if people hadn’t done the right thing, for the most part.”
Numbers also dipped last June and throughout the summer, with just eight cases in the month and just 22 when July and August are added into the tally.
There’s even more reason to think Thunder Bay can do it again in 2021, despite the presence of the fast-spreading Delta variant that’s taken hold in parts of southern Ontario and in other jurisdictions around the world.
“It’s really great to see people coming forward and getting vaccinations,” DeMille said. “We’re really starting our accelerated second-dose strategy that sort of really began in earnest here last week and this week.
“Not only do people have access to first doses, but they’re now coming out to get those second doses, which are what you really need to be fully immunized, to be protected against the Delta variant.”
In terms of vaccination coverage, according to the health unit’s numbers, 75.2 per cent of the 18 and older population has been given at least one shot, though DeMille said those numbers may be slightly under-representing the actual total.
According to figures supplied by the province and posted to the health unit’s website, 82.3 per cent of the adult population has been vaccinated and 29.5 per cent have been double dosed; the health unit reports 36.5 per cent.
DeMille admitted the eagerness of those looking for fully vaccinated status is clogging up the appointment system a bit, but she encouraged those looking for first or second doses to keep trying through both the provincial booking system and the growing number of local pharmacies that are also administering vaccines.
It’s going to get even busier next week, when the province opens up second shots to anyone over 18, provided it’s been 28 days since their first shot.
DeMille said it’s still reasonable to think that most people who want to get two shots should be able to do so by the end of next month, if not early August.
Of course, it’s all supply-dependent.
“I know right now we’re booking several weeks ahead in terms of those appointments, although we’re starting to see more walk-in type people, using the back-up lists at our clinics. So some people may get an appointment on the same day,” DeMille said. “We’re really trying to get through our supply. If we continue to get a decent amount of supply every week, I think the majority of people will be able to get their second doses by the end of July.”
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