Pop-ups, school reopenings, outbreaks: What you need to know now about COVID-19 in York Region

Dr. Karim Kurji explains latest pandemic hopes, concerns

Yorkregion.com
May 21, 2021
Kim Zarzour

More local vaccine clinics are coming to York Region communities:

Pop-up clinics, run by the provincial Ministry of Health, are the latest addition to York Region’s vaccination strategy.

A Markham pop-up is running May 17 to 21 for residents living in postal codes L3S and L6G at the Islamic Society of Markham -- Markham Masjid, 2900 Denison St. Appointments can be booked by visiting MarkhamVaccinates.com.

An additional pop-up is planned at the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex May 22 and 23, and another one is expected to open in Aurora May 29 and 30.

Youth ages 12 and older will also be able to get vaccines at special family-oriented pop-ups, along with other openings geared to families at clinics across the region.

Dr. Karim Kurji, the region’s medical officer of health, says the situation is "fluid and dynamic" and there could still be more changes ahead.

To find out more, visit York.ca/covid19vaccine.

Schools may soon reopen:

The provincial government announced May 20 that publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools will continue to operate under teacher-led remote learning while the latest data is assessed, but Kurji sees hope for reopening on the horizon.

York Region expects incidence of COVID-19 to drop to between 50 and 100 per 100,000 next week, putting the region on target for reopening schools by the end of the month, he said.

"We would also have not much of a concern if the school boards decided to open a few days earlier," Kurji said. "It would be up to the school boards and the Ministry of Education."

Public health is confident schools can be safe -- provided incidence in the community is "not exceedingly high" -- with the current layers of protection, protocols and dismissal of cohorts.

It’s still wise to encourage students to get vaccinated as soon as possible, Kurji said, and the region is working closely with school boards on how to go about immunizing this population.

Schools are being considered as community hubs for vaccine distribution but at this point in time, he said, mass immunizations clinics remain the best approach.

"We really would like for youth to bring in their family members as well and we will make it into a family event."

Outbreaks remain a challenge:

Workplace outbreaks continue to increase, primarily in product/materials manufacturing.

As of May 19, York Region had 35 active workplace outbreaks, 27 of which are in Vaughan.

"We are throwing a lot of resources there, promoting vaccinations in the workplace and having our mobile clinics go to workplaces that we consider to be at higher risk in hot-spot areas," Kurji said.

The region has increased education on safety protocols and enforcement of health and safety measures, assisted by the Ministry of Labour.

Institutional outbreaks also continue to occur, primarily due to unvaccinated staff, Kurji said.

As of May 19, 74 long-term care staff and 13 residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

Even with two-dose immunization, it is possible for residents to become sick with the virus during outbreak situations, Kurji said, which is why it’s important for all staff members to get their shots.

The number of staff in long term care homes who have not had vaccines is as high as 30 per cent, he said.

The region is continuing to educate employees in these institutions and is working to make it easier for them to get vaccinated, he said.