Elliot Lake hosts virtual town hall meeting
The City of Elliot Lake hosted a virtual town hall meeting to update the public as to what the COVID19 situation.
Dr. Catherine Groh says the hospital only has five intensive care beds, so if there is a surge due to Delta and/or Omicron variants, they would have to close the second floor.
She says that means all locums would stop offering their specialized services to local patients and the operating department would be closed down.
Dr. Groh adds she was disappointed that they still have not received many booster vaccines and hopes to see more soon to fight off the next wave adding the mass vaccinations should start in the near future.
The health team is working in partnership with Algoma Public Health.
Mayor Dan Marchisella emphasizes that anyone needing help, can contact the family health team or the city for the right contacts to assist them with their needs.
Public Health Sudbury & Districts taking steps to prepare for Omicron
Public Health Sudbury & Districts has implemented several measures to prepare for the Omicron variant.
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health says Omicron has an alarming ability to spread very quickly and is expected to bring about the most challenging wave yet of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She says additional measures include a focus on vaccinating children five to 11 years of age and booster shots to try and get ahead of the wave.
Dr. Sutcliffe says recent modelling from the Science Advisory Table shows Omicron could push COVID-19 cases to new heights in a matter of days.
She adds local resources are already stretched due to the recent surge of Delta in the area including deaths involving younger individuals in their 30s, 50s, and 60s.
Vaccination across Greater Sudbury and in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts
With the threat of the Omicron variant, it is highly recommended to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious disease from COVID-19. Public Health has redeployed all remaining staff resources to quickly ramp up local capacity and vaccination appointments. As more individuals become eligible for booster doses, including those 18 and older starting December 20, 2021, every effort is being made to offer booster doses locally, including offering more walk-in opportunities, extending clinic hours, and requesting more doses from the province. The health unit says despite their best efforts, they will not be able to vaccinate everyone eligible in a matter of weeks. They remain focused protecting those who are most at risk, such individuals with underlying health conditions, health care workers and their families, individuals who live or work in congregate settings, and those over the age of 50 and ask for your continued patience.