Up to and including March 25, there have been 67,573 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administered in Halton Region. Today, residents 65 years of age and older — born in or before 1956 — can book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments. When you book your first appointment online at https://halton.ca/, the second appointment is scheduled automatically.

According to Halton Region’s data posted online, Burlington currently has 100 active COVID-19 cases, more than double the number reported in last month’s article. Joseph Brant Hospital’s website indicates that they are currently caring for nine confirmed cases of COVID-19.

In a previous article, I asked that officials “spend more time communicating with us about when and how each age group will sign up for, book, and receive their first and second vaccines. We are in a new ‘need to know’ timeframe.”  I am happy to say that the level of communication seems to have improved a great deal since then. There seems to be better information provided in advance through Halton Region, and through elected representatives at the provincial and local levels. Thank you!

Now, to talk about variants, upcoming holidays, and our energy and commitment for moving ahead.

Variants

The genetic material in a virus often changes over time due to random mutations; some of these random mutations will result in new variants of the virus. Variants can affect the spread and severity of the disease, how the virus is detected, and whether vaccines and treatments are effective. The three variants of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) that are concerning are:

  • the variant first identified in November 2020 in the United Kingdom
  • the variant first identified in December 2020 in South Africa
  • the variant first detected in travellers from Brazil in January 2021 (the travellers arrived in Japan)

These variants spread more easily and may cause more severe illness than the original strain of COVID-19. Ontario currently has confirmed cases of all three variants. As of February 3, all COVID-19 tests are being screened for the three known variants within days of a positive test result.

Upcoming Holidays

To celebrate Easter this year, consider activities you may not have done since you were much younger: make hardboiled eggs and decorate them, bake a cake and shape it or decorate it so it looks like a bunny or an easter egg, make leisurely meals together, or order takeout or delivery from one of our fabulous local restaurants (they could really use our support). Jigsaw puzzles and colouring books are back on the shelves in stores (consider online shopping!), so pick one up and spend some time relaxing. Try out an online game that you haven’t before. We are enjoying Trickster cards, where we can play euchre, hearts, spades, and other games against the computer or with friends. Never tried yoga or tai chi? Now is a great time – just look on YouTube for beginners’ videos.

March Break for our elementary and secondary school students has become spring break, the week of April 12–16. For those of us who can, how about doing as much of your shopping before or after that week, when students and their families will likely be out and about more than usual?

Energy and Commitment for Moving Ahead

Only make essential trips outside of your home, for work, groceries, medicine, medical appointments, and for exercise. Wear a mask and maintain physical distancing from anyone you don’t live with. Wash your hands regularly. Avoid indoor and overly-large outdoor gatherings. Our current limits (red level) are five people indoors and 25 people outdoors for all organized public events and social gatherings. Plan local adventures that you can look forward to this summer. Burlington has so much to offer!

We’ve come so far. Let’s get over the finish line together.

Sources:

Government of Ontario, 2021. COVID-19 Response Framework. Url: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-variants (accessed Mar. 31, 2021).

Halton Region, 2021. Status of COVID-19 Cases in Halton. Url: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/Status-of-COVID-19-Cases-in-Halton (accessed Mar. 31, 2021).

Joseph Brant Hospital, 2021. COVID-19. Url: https://www.josephbranthospital.ca/en/quality-and-performance/covid-19.asp (accessed Mar. 31, 2021).