COVID-19: Breakdown of the COVID Update provided by Halton Region

How is the second wave of COVID-19 affecting Halton?

Medical Officer of Health for the Halton Region, Dr. Hamidah Meghani, provided an update at the most recent Regional Council meeting.

She focused on the recent rise in cases for Halton, putting the last two months into perspective.

She adds that while testing has increased, leading to more confirmed cases, underlying numbers tell a different, scarier story. According to Dr. Meghani during her presentation, the slope of the seven-day rolling average is what everyone should be focused on when comparing the separate waves. She says when comparing the slope of wave one and wave two, you can see how similar the two waves are, and why the argument of ‘more tests, more cases’ isn’t entirely accurate, saying the current slope suggests “exponential growth.”

There was a lot of speculation that Monday, October 26th would be the day that both Halton and Durham joined Toronto, Peel, Ottawa, and York as areas that have reverted back to a modified Stage 2. It was reported over the weekend that local politicians in the Halton Region asked the province to reconsider the decision. That is believed to be one of the reasons why the Ontario Government held off on the decision, and is looking into more details to help make the final decision.

Regarding that decision, Dr. Meghani shares what the numbers show.

Another slide in her presentation covered the age demographics of recent cases. She says that while the second wave trends are showing that the increases are in people under the age of 60, the most recent data is beginning to suggest that cases in people over the age of 60 are on the rise.

That could have disastrous results for our older population.

Dr. Meghani’s presentation is very in-depth and is recommended viewing for residents who would like to remain up-to-date on COVID-19 in Halton. To watch the full, nearly 40-minute video, click here.

The mandatory mask bylaw was also extended. myFM News discussed the extension with Regional Councillor for Ward 1, Colin Best, on the latest edition of ‘This Week in Milton’. Hear it here.