COVID numbers decline in Peel, Caledon as vaccinations ramp up

June 17, 2021 · 0 Comments

By Rob Paul

With Step One of the provincial re-opening nearly a week in, Peel has seen 110,858 cases of COVID-19—561 more cases since last week, but a decrease in the Region’s weekly new total.

The number of COVID related deaths in the Region rose to 778, with seven more this past week.

Caledon continues to make strides with the total cases in the Town increasing by just seven to 4,422 after having 31 new cases the week previous. There are no new COVID relate deaths in Caledon with the number staying at 18.

Peel’s vaccination numbers continue to trend in the right direction with 1,289,864 doses administered—91,586 in the last seven-day window (June 7 to 14). Thus far, 1,143,888 individuals have received at least one dose with 143,106 being done the vaccination process.

In total, 63.2 per cent of Peel residents have initiated their vaccination with 74.5 per cent of adults having at least one dose. In terms of completed vaccinations, 9.4 per cent of the population have both doses including 11.9 per cent of adults.

The main concern at this point of the fight against COVID-19 is the new Delta variant. To help slow its impact, public health units and private organizations collaborated in Peel to set a vaccination record.

On June 12, a team of clinical staff from the Grey Bruce Health Unit attended the Hockey Hub mass vaccination centre at the CAA Centre in Brampton to support in the fight against the Delta variant that is spreading in the region. Through collaboration among Peel Public Health and Grey Bruce Health Unit, the site set a daily record for an eight-hour shift of 6,300 vaccinations.

Bruce Power and a coalition of organizations, unions and businesses came together to establish the hub in collaboration with the Region of Peel to provide the region greater capacity to deliver more vaccines in the race against the COVID-19 variants. Bruce Power also supported the establishment of three Hockey Hubs operated by the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

“The tremendous effort and collaboration between public health, Ontario’s business community, and all levels of government has been truly outstanding,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Operational Services and co-chair of the Ontario Vaccination Support Council. “Bruce Power is proud to stand alongside so many businesses that have leveraged their resources and logistical expertise, to support in the province’s vaccination efforts.”

In early May, Bruce Power brought together a coalition of businesses, unions and organizations who have provided financial, logistical and volunteer support for the set-up and operation of the facility.

The Hockey Hub vaccination model was developed by Grey Bruce’s top doctor, Dr. Ian Arra, and developed at the Grey Bruce Health Unit. Clinical staff from Grey-Bruce were on hand to support site vaccinations and share successful processes to administer vaccines to large numbers of clients using the model.

“This Hockey Hub model ensures we can deliver the greatest number of vaccines in the shortest period of time,” said Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health, Grey Bruce Health Unit. “This system has proven to be an effective tool in the management of the pandemic, locally and across the province.”

The Hockey Hub has been a key factor in Peel approaching the 75 per cent threshold that the Region’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Lawrence Loh, is targeting in the re-opening process.

“This facility has the capacity to deliver thousands of daily vaccines, which will be critical as we push towards widespread two-dose coverage in aiming to end the acute phase of the pandemic in Peel and all of Ontario,” said Dr. Loh.

To book a vaccination appointment in the Region of Peel, visit www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/book-appointment.