TORONTO – It is the news that no one likes to hear the one released by the Ontario Science Advisory Table. The province has likely entered a new wave of pandemic led by the BA.5 subvariant. In messages posted on Twitter, the technical-scientific table cites the “exponential growth” in the count of cases in about 80% of public health units, as well as the increase in the number of hospitalizations and test positivity rates. 

The scientists also said that higher levels of viral activity are recorded in the wastewater of most regions in general. “Current evidence does not suggest that BA.5 is more severe or that it will lead to an increase in hospitalizations equal to previous waves. However, any increase comes at a time when hospitals are already facing staff shortages and record waiting times: this has an impact on all of us – said the Science Table – and if BA.5 spreads widely, we could see an increase in deaths among the highest risk groups – the elderly for example – as has already happened during previous waves”.

In Ontario, where the BA.5 subvariant is now dominant, most public health indicators are also starting to go in the wrong direction after months of gradual improvement.

The most recent data released by the Ministry of Health on June 30 showed, for the first time since May, a weekly increase in hospitalizations for Covid-19. The positivity rate to molecular tests also rose, with the average going from 7.64 on 23 June to 9.82 on 30 June.

Meanwhile, the public health measures that existed during previous pandemic waves have now disappeared, including the requirement to wear masks in high-risk facilities.

Meanwhile, the director of the Ontario Science Table Fahad Razak reopens the discussion on the usefulness of masks. Razak does not believe that the obligation to wear masks “could in itself have prevented the increase we are witnessing right now”,” however he believes they are “an easy way to reduce viral spread and will allow us to do many of the things we care about.” Masks for me are part of the solution and this is clearly a time when using them in an enclosed environment is important,” he said.

He does not believe, however, that Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Kieran Moore should be re-imposed restrictions. “The phenomenon is global. All countries in the Western Hemisphere are experiencing this situation – said Moore – while our borders are opening, with the return of travel it is natural that this virus circulates globally. But Ontario to date is doing very well in minimizing its impact on the health care system.”

Moore said residents of the province should be immunized. “I would just like to point out that there are 5 million inhabitants of Ontario who have not yet taken advantage of the first dose of recall, a million of them are over 50 years old and in our opinion are at risk – concluded Moore – I strongly invite those 5 million inhabitants of Ontario who have not taken advantage of the first booster to make the booster dose”.