MGH campus transformation
MGH’s campus transformation continues with major renovation work. Patients and visitors can expect to experience noise, hallway closures and detours around the hospital. Learn more about our campus transformation.
MGH’s campus transformation continues with major renovation work. Patients and visitors can expect to experience noise, hallway closures and detours around the hospital. Learn more about our campus transformation.
Sarah Downey, president and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), asks Dr. Jeff Powis, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, MGH five questions about the new COVID-19 variants, predictions for a third wave, vaccine distribution and resuming in-person learning.
You have questions and Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) has answers.
In this community edition of “5 Questions with President and CEO Sarah Downey” video series, Sarah interviews Dr. Jeff Powis, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, MGH, about the new COVID-19 variants, predictions for a third wave, vaccine roll out plans and resuming in-person learning at schools.
Watch the video to find out the answers to the following 5 questions:
Key Points: There are three variants of concerns (VOC) in Ontario: the UK variant (B.1.1.7), the Brazilian variant (P.1) and the South African variant (B.1.351). Most COVID-19 infections in Ontario are currently non-variant infections but increasingly we are seeing more VOC, particularly the UK variant.
Dr. Powis predicts that the UK variant will soon become the dominant strain of COVID-19 within Ontario. This is because it is more infectious than the native COVID-19 strain and as a result, will become the more dominant strain because it will infect more people.
Key Points: Over 23,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered by MGH. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have shown astonishing effectiveness against native COVID-19 infections and have also shown effectiveness against the UK variant.
Key Points: Two variables will impact the likelihood and severity of a third wave: how many people are vaccinated within the community and what public health measures are in place.
At this point, vaccines have not been administered broadly within the community and as such when the UK VOC becomes the dominant strain, it will be vital for Ontario to have appropriate public health measures in place to minimize the likelihood of spread and the severity of a third wave.
Key Points: MGH is administering COVID-19 vaccinations in alignment with the provincial government framework. Unfortunately at this time MGH is unable to confirm when vaccines will be available to the general public.
MGH is looking at numerous community sites to set up vaccination clinics including large scale clinics which could vaccinate up to 10,000 people a day, clinics within existing practices and mobile operations. This proactive planning will help ensure that when the time comes to vaccinate the broader East Toronto community, MGH will be able to administer vaccines quickly and effectively.
Key Points: MGH’s school outreach team led by Dr. McCready has been supporting East Toronto schools in their ability to operate safely and respond quickly to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19. Some of the ways MGH has partnered with East Toronto schools include:
The best way to keep schools safe is to reduce incidents of COVID-19 in the community. It is vital that the province continues to implement robust public health interventions, ramp up testing efforts and roll out COVID-19 vaccinations broadly to the community.
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