(Angelique Guerard/ XFM News)
The Middlesex-London Health Unit revealed the highest incidence rate in a recent press conference.
Those under the age of 12 currently have an incidence rate of nearly 70 per 100,000. To put that in perspective, the next highest case rate is around 33 per 100,000 in the 12 to 17 age group.
Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health at the Health Unit, says this isn’t a big surprise, as that age group isn’t yet eligible for vaccination.
“Fortunately, as we’ve seen since the beginning of the pandemic, those who are younger typically have less severe outcomes than those who are older when it comes to COVID-19,” Dr. Summers said, speaking to press during the conference.
“However, it does not mean that we do not have to take precautions, and it does not mean that it’s absolutely critical for those individuals to get vaccinated when it is safe.”
Summers also says that despite the age range, transmission in schools remains very limited. He says transmission is likely happening in a variety of environments, “particularly indoors where people are in close contact without masks.”
He adds that schools have been nothing but helpful in regards to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms.
“They continue to be tremendous leaders in ensuring that those environments are as safe as they can possibly be, through a combination of masks, insuring that people who are sick or staying home and physical distancing where we can.”
The health unit is still waiting on the go-ahead from Health Canada to vaccinate children under the age of 12. They predict that they’ll get it in late Nov. to early Dec. Once they have the all clear, they hope to have the entire population their first shot in two to three weeks, using appointments at mass vaccination clinics and pharmacies.
“We look forward to the day soon where hopefully that vaccine is approved, so that we can see an additional part of the population protected.”
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