Ontario Lockdown Is 'Unavoidable' This Fall If You Don't Limit Who You See, Says Doc
"If we fail now, a lockdown will be unavoidable later in the Fall."
One top doctor is telling residents that another Ontario lockdown is "unavoidable" this fall if you don't start limiting the people that you see.
In a tweet, Dr. Beate Sander, the co-chair of Ontario's modelling table, revealed that with the long weekend, as well as schools and workplaces reopening this September, the number of contacts will increase. This also means that transmission of COVID-19 is also set to rise.
While another lockdown isn't needed yet, Sander warns that if people don't "moderately" reduce who they see, it could happen this fall.
There was some confusion on the modeling released yesterday by @COVIDSciOntario. I will walk you through it, slide by slide.pic.twitter.com/djQIrg2AWP— Dr. Beate Sander (@Dr. Beate Sander) 1630602680
"Bottom line: IF 85% of 12+ year olds are fully vaccinated we need to REDUCE CONTACTS to this year's late June/early July levels (~70% compared to pre-pandemic) to mitigate 4th wave," she stated.
"For context: we estimate August contact levels to be ~83% compared to pre-pandemic contact levels."
"It does NOT mean not to open schools – education is way too important," she continued. "It does NOT mean a September lockdown – we can mitigate a 4th wave by (moderately) reducing our contacts. The sooner the better. If we fail now, a lockdown will be unavoidable later in the Fall."
Last month, Dr. Kieran Moore, chief medical officer of health, also stressed that the fall would become a difficult time for Ontarians.
In fact, the top doctor stated that residents will likely see an increase in cases in September, October, and November.
"We have another six months that could be difficult, but we'll get through it together," he added.