Reduced isolation time may increase risk of COVID spreading, Niagara public health warns
Hospital system preparing for increased infection among staff
By Allan BennerStandard Reporter
Sun., Jan. 2, 2022timer3 min. read
updateArticle was updated Jan. 03, 2022
Many of the changes to Ontario's efforts to control COVID-19 aren't new to local health-care workers — but one could increase the risk of infection spreading, according to Niagara's public health department.
The changes announced last Thursday by Ontario chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore include reducing isolation times for vaccinated people who develop COVID-19 symptoms to five days rather than 10.
Also, access to PCR testing is being limited to high-risk individuals showing symptoms, employees and residents in vulnerable settings, and staff and students in schools distributing rapid-test kits.
Anyone else with mild symptoms, or a positive rapid test, is no longer eligible. Moore advised people to use rapid tests "judiciously," and not prior to socializing.
Niagara Region Public Health is concerned about the reduced isolation time.
In a statement, it noted scientific studies have shown "many people remain infectious past Day 5, so this change will increase the risk of infection spreading."
"The province has likely decided that given how many workplaces and other settings are unable to operate with too many people being in isolation, they will accept higher risk of infection spreading in exchange for less societal disruption," public health said.
"Of course, given the risk will be even higher in the community now, I urge everyone to continue to stay home as much as possible, and limit being around others to only those times that are truly essential."
In an email, Niagara Health chief of staff Dr. Johan Viljoen said most of the changes announced last weekwere already in place at local hospitals.
He said Niagara Health leadership works closely with hospitals in the Hamilton, Haldimand, Brant and Burlington areas "and with local and provincial partners to support each other and share resources as needed."
"We are anticipating an increase in COVID-19 transmission among our team members based on the high rate of community infection," he said.
"We are extremely grateful to all of the staff and physicians who have stepped up to support their colleagues to ensure we provide safe care to our community amidst these increasing pressures."
Viljoen said PCR tests at Niagara Health are now only available to high-risk individuals who are symptomatic or at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including vulnerable populations and workers in the highest risk settings such as health-care workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
"We'd also like to remind the community that our emergency departments do not provide COVID-19 testing," he said.
"Those who are experiencing symptoms, can take a self assessment at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment to get a recommendation on what to do next."
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With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the community, Viljoen urged residents to get a third dose of vaccine and remain vigilant with public health measures.
In a statement, Niagara Region Public Health said it — like most local public health agencies — had already adapted its contact management and outbreak management systems "to deal with the realities of huge case numbers and lack of capacity for testing."
"Most of what the province has announced just updated provincial guidelines to what was locally already being done," the statement said.
"The most important development is the prioritization of PCR testing eligibility. That was an update that was sorely needed, and not something public health could control. This will help better prioritize PCR tests to where they can do the most good."
— With files from the Toronto Star
Allan Benner is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: allan.benner@niagaradailies.com