Here is a summary of today’s #COVID19AB update: Over the last 24 hrs we have identified 639 new cases of COVID-19 & and completed about 9,800 tests. Our positivity rate is at 6.1%. There are 811 people in hospital, incl 130 in ICU. (1/8)
Sadly, 23 new deaths were reported. My deepest condolences go to the family and friends of these individuals. We will resume reporting on school cases later this week. Our overall numbers underline the importance of the immunization program that is underway. (2/8)
Canada has one of the most robust regulatory systems for new vaccines in the world. Clinical trials with tens of thousands of participants from multiple countries found no safety concerns w/ the vaccines we are administering. We are not taking that for granted. (3/8)
We are working closely w/ the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor for adverse events & ensure that we are able to detect them immediately. Of 46K+ doses administered so far, we have reported 7 adverse events. And those were not necessarily caused by the vaccine. (4/8)
Of those events, most were minor: swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, or rash. 3 involved an allergic reaction, none of which were anaphylactic. In these cases, 2nd doses would be deferred until an allergy assessment determines whether a second dose is safe. (5/8)
Allergic reactions can happen with any medication, vaccine, or food. Being ready to respond to reaction is a critical part of every immunization program & is why anyone who gets the COVID-19 vaccine is asked to stay under medical observation for a short time afterwards. (6/8)
We will continue to closely monitor/report adverse events. What we have seen is consistent w/ what was reported in the vaccine trials. It is common to see side effects like fever or muscle aches after the vaccine, a sign that the immune system is building antibodies. (7/8)
The benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks. This vaccine will save lives, and I commend the many dedicated health care workers who are leading this work across the province (8/8)
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
