June 2, 2024 coronavirus update for Oakville

This is Oakville’s coronavirus update for Sunday, June 2, 2024. For the last week of May, he number of daily cases in Oakville is up, following trends from most of April and May. Halton is reporting an average of 25 new cases per week.

The leading health news this week is that Halton regional health has announced starting in June that public reporting of COVID-19 health metrics will be “paused until the fall 2024 respiratory illness season.” The region did not respond to Oakville News’ requests for clarity on the timeline.

Two more outbreaks were resolved in the region over the last two weeks, both at undisclosed locations. One open outbreak remains.

Halton Regional Health has greatly updated its data for local vaccinations, reporting that a mere 5 per cent of adults in the region are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations – 1 in 20 eligible residents. A total of 60 per cent have had the base two doses and one (or more) booster shots since 2021.

Nationwide, Canada reports their total number of active cases and hospitalizations are still growing in almost every province. 95 per cent of the adult population has had at least one dose of vaccine.

In the U.S., the CDC is warning of a new variant discovered from the JN.1 strain. The CDC estimates nearly one-third of all new North American cases are of this new strain.

The global confirmed count of cases surpassed 775 million in mid-April, counting worldwide since the start of the pandemic. 7 million people worldwide have died due to COVID-19, though the real count of unofficial deaths is millions higher.

**Vaccine booking: All doses and booster doses are now available for anyone in Halton age 5 and up. First doses are available for those six months and older.

While Halton’s vaccine clinics are now closed, most pharmacies and health care centres are offering all numbered doses and boosters to patients.

**CLICK HERE to book a vaccination appointment at a local pharmacy or primary care office for any numbered dose of vaccine, including all boosters

New data from Halton Regional Health as of this week:

Halton is averaging 3.6 new COVID-19 cases per day, an increase from last week’s 2.1 average daily cases.

• There is 1 active outbreak in Halton (same as last week)
• 7.4% of locally administered COVID-19 tests are coming back positive (1.2% less than last week)
• 4 people are being treated in hospital with COVID-19 (1 more than last week)

Vaccinations in Halton Region:

• At least 1.67 million doses have been administered in Halton
• 94% of Halton residents have at least two doses (the primary series)
• 5% of eligible Halton residents (age 12+) are up to date on their booster shots (have had the primary series and a booster dose in the last six months)
• 56% of eligible residents have a primary series and a booster more than six months ago

Canadian COVID-19 Update:

• Canada has had 4.67 million cumulative cases of COVID-19
• There are 671,500 active cases in Canada (+650 this week)
• 2,338 people are currently in hospital (+17 this week)
• There are 52,622 deaths to date (+5 this week)
• 82.52% of Canadians have at least two doses of vaccine
• 51.58% of Canadians are vaccinated including one or more booster doses

Global COVID-19 Update:

• U.S. hospitalizations are down 7.6% this past week
• U.S. deaths have decreased 0.7% this week
• Americans up-to-date with all recommended vaccine booster doses are no longer being reported by the CDC
• 775.48 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started; 7.04 million people have died
• 32,500 people worldwide have been infected in the last seven days

The evidence is clear: though transmission has dramatically slowed, vaccination (including all recommended booster shots) is still the best way to be protected from contracting COVID-19. 

Local, provincial, national and international health units affirm the same data that Canada’s approved vaccines and all boosters effectively protect you from COVID-19 and significantly reduces your risk of getting sick, going to the hospital, and dying from the disease. 

Book a vaccination appointment for any numbered dose of vaccine, including all boosters, online here

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